The next big crisis? Think 2008, only worse

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis.

Description: NEW YORK — Ever wondered when the next financial crisis will be? Possibly in just a couple of years with the “coming collapse of the international monetary system.” Source: FinancialPost.com/Reuters Date: Oct 06, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/10/06/the-next-big-crisis-think-2008-only-worse/ Questions for Discussions: What is your opinion of this prediction? How should investors respond if they disagree with… Read more »

How to tell when investors are scared

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis.

Description: You can’t just look at stock prices to judge how investors feel. CNNMoney’s Fear & Greed Index measures seven different gauges to determine if investors are fearful or greedy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/10/02/fear-and-greed-explainer.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What is the composition of the index? How should it be… Read more »

Berkshire Hathaway buying 5th largest U.S. auto dealer

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Description: Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway is buying U.S. auto dealer Van Tuyl Group to pursue medium and long term growth opportunities in the sector. Chitra Nawbatt reports. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=457908 Questions for Discussions: Why is there consolidation taking place in the industry? What makes this industry an… Read more »

Humans Lose to Machines in $500 Billion-a-Day Bond Market

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

Description: Human traders are increasingly losing out to machines in the world’s biggest bond market. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-02/humans-lose-to-machines-in-500-billion-a-day-bond-market.html Questions for Discussions: How has technology affected bond trading, according to the article? Is this trend a problem for the markets, in your opinion?

What Should a Liberated PayPal Do? Become a Bank and Go to War With Apple

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Description: PayPal’s break from EBay (EBAY) is all about buzzwords: eliminating dis-synergies, applying strategic focus, and seizing the moment. But what does that even mean? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/ex-paypal-execs-ideas-for-its-future-war-with-apple-become-bank#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: What strategic direction is PayPal considering, according to the article? Do you agree with this line of thinking? Should… Read more »

Bill Gross quits Pimco: Why did he leave

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Description: Bill Gross, co-founder and chief investment officer of Pimco, will join Janus Capital Group. Gross, who has presided over the world’s biggest bond fund for almost three decades, will start Sept. 29 at a new Janus office in Newport Beach, CA, and will begin managing the Janus Global Unconstrained Bond Fund on Oct. 6,… Read more »

Why digital marketers should be excited about Apple Pay

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

Description: The service creates an instant audience for new mobile marketing and customer loyalty apps, like those used by automotive retailer Pep Boys to steer campaigns. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 26, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/09/26/digital-marketing-apple-pay/ Questions for Discussions: How might Apply Pay affect cash flow at Apple? Do you think it represents a significant growth opportunity… Read more »

Pimco Total Return ETF Suffers $10.9 Million of Outflows

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Description: Pacific Investment Management Co.’s main exchange-traded fund saw outflows of $10.9 million the day before the surprise departure of Bill Gross, who co-founded and served as chief investment officer of the world’s biggest manager of bond mutual funds. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 27, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-27/pimco-etf-suffers-10-9-million-of-outflow-on-gross-exit.html Questions for Discussions: How have investors reacted to… Read more »

Mobile Master: KakaoTalk Creator Becomes One Of South Korea’s Richest Billionaires

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

Description: On KakaoTalk, South Korea’s number one mobile-messaging service, users spend hours crushing candy on popular games, sharing photos and videos with friends, and sending cute emoticons and digital stickers. That’s all thanks to Kakao Corp. cofounder and chairman, “Brian” Kim Bum-Soo, who launched the service in 2010 and ever since has been perfecting a… Read more »

Alibaba Debut Makes a Splash

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Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA +38.07% , China’s largest e-commerce company, on Friday became a publicly traded technology powerhouse, launching a blockbuster share offering in New York that drew attention world-wide. Source: WSJ.com – video report Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://www.wsj.com/video/ratings-pro-alibaba-looks-stronger-than-facebook/9A9B4058-603D-4DE0-AD85-1ACBE286EE76.html Questions for Discussions: What is motivating purchasers of the Alibaba IPO? How… Read more »