Are Alibaba’s Problems Expiring Along With Its IPO Lockup?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: Starting today, some of Alibaba’s earliest investors can sell their stakes, six months after the company went public in the biggest market debut in history. Source: Forbes.com Date: March 18, 2015 Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2015/03/18/alibaba-ipo-lockup-expiration/ Questions for Discussions: What contributed to the recent decline in the stock price? What would suggest better prices in the not too distant… Read more »

Here’s what stocks do in the months just before a rate hike

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation.

Description: NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — It seems increasingly clear that the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2006 is now just months away, and that is making investors nervous. But should it? Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: March 18, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-what-stocks-do-in-the-months-just-before-a-rate-hike-2015-03-06 Questions for Discussions: What does the report suggest is the typical market response to rate… Read more »

Here’s a Look at How the Dollar Is Clobbering Other Currencies Around the World

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation.

Description: A fantastic new report from Bloomberg Briefs examines the state of currency markets around the world. This graphic offers a nice visualization of how different currencies have been getting clobbered against the dollar during the past year. As you can see, huge losers include the Russian ruble, the Norwegian krone, the Brazilian real, the Swedish krona, and… Read more »

Valeant Inc lands Salix Ltd with knockout bid, but forced to pay more than expected

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals scored a knockout punch Monday in the bidding war for Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd., even though a frenetic M&A race in the pharmaceutical industry forced it to pay more than it originally hoped. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: March 16, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/03/16/valeant-inc-lands-salix-ltd-with-knockout-bid-but-forced-to-pay-more-than-expected/ Questions for discussion: Why are pharma mergers and acquisitions like this one… Read more »

Stocks get crushed on strong dollar

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: Jim Awad, Chairman of Plimsoll Mark Capital, explains why a strong dollar led to the Dow tanking 333 points and what effect it might have on the Federal Reserve raising interest rates. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: March 10, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/03/10/stock-market-crushed-dow-down-333-strong-dollar.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What does Jim Awad suggest is at the… Read more »

GM announces $5 billion stock buyback

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: CEO Mary Barra outlined the stock buyback, as well as a new comprehensive capital allocation framework meant to put more money in shareholders’ pockets. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: March 09, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1A9zcfr Questions for Discussions: Why did GM go ahead with the buyback? Do you think it was a good decision… Read more »

Why investors should worry about this bad sign for retailers

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: Large-cap retail stocks are outperforming the broader stock market this year, as falling unemployment means more Americans are willing to spend money. But investors seem to be ignoring a decline in earnings estimates, as management at several top companies have given conservative guidance. Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: March 10, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-investors-should-worry-about-this-bad-sign-for-retailers-2015-03-10?dist=afterbell Questions for Discussions:… Read more »

Investors Bet $100,000 Cancer Drug Prices Are Here to Stay

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: (Bloomberg) — President Barack Obama, prominent cancer doctors and health insurers are all warning about the need to control the surging prices of new drugs. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: March 10, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-09/investors-warm-to-100-000-cancer-drugs-after-21-billion-deal Questions for discussion: Why are investors confident that insurers will pay high prices for certain drugs? Is there a way to… Read more »