Alibaba’s expected blockbuster IPO may mean garage sale of less attractive tech stocks

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

Description: Investors are looking over portfolios to make room for Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings Inc’s market debut next month – and that means some less attractive stocks that funds are holding might be shown the door. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Aug 26, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/26/alibabas-expected-blockbuster-ipo-may-mean-garage-sale-of-less-attractive-tech-stocks/ Questions for Discussions: How might Alibaba’s IPO affect individual… Read more »

Was it really a record-breaking summer for stocks?

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

Description: Bloomberg’s Mike Regan discusses the summer’s market movements with Matt Miller on “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Aug 29, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/was-it-really-a-record-breaking-summer-for-stocks-Y0wgnB9_QzO2faMmLfjC6g.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the commentary and analysis presented in this report on the markets. Do you agree with this view? Where do you see things heading?

O’Leary on Tim Hortons

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

Description: O’Leary’s take on the Tims-Burger King merger. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Aug 28, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=427238 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the opinions presented by Kevin O’Leary about the reasons for the deal and why he sold his shares. Do you think the deal will result in increased cash flow for either company?

S&P 500 Tops 2,000. Don’t Do Anything

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

Description: On Monday the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index traded above 2,000 for the first time, getting to just under 2,002 before retreating below the 2K mark in early afternoon. Should you cheer? Or panic? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Aug 25, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-25/s-and-p-500-hits-2-000-dot-should-investors-buy-sell-or-hold#r=hpf-s Questions for Discussions: What is the message to investors in this article?… Read more »

Allergan’s attempts to elude Ackman’s bid fuel bearish bets

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

Description: Should Bill Ackman and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. fail in their bid to take over Allergan Inc., options traders will be hedged. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Aug 28, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-28/allergan-attempts-to-elude-ackman-bid-fuel-bearish-bets.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the various strategies in play? What would you advise investors to do at this time?

Bank of America in record payout

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

Description: Bank of America to pay a $16.65 billion settlement to the federal government and six states for mortgage securities fraud that lead to the financial crisis. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 21, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/08/21/bank-of-america-settlement-17-billion-mortgage-securities-fraud-doj-holder.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Evaluate the settlement agreed to in this case. Do you think jail time for… Read more »

Is it smooth sailing for Wall Street’s bulls?

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

Description: Stifel Nicolaus Portfolio Manger Chad Morganlander and JPMorgan Chief U.S. Economist Michael Feroli discuss markets, the economy and Fed rate policy. They speak on “Street Smart.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg .com – video report Date: August 21, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/is-it-smooth-sailing-for-wall-street-s-bulls-KQPMTzQeQLCO7VQfYY0VHw.html Questions for discussion: What do the people interviewed in this report say that favors… Read more »

Why Samsung Is Hoarding Its Cash

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Now that it’s selling Nooks to consumers, Samsung Electronics has a new way to compete with Apple and Amazon.com. The Korean company on Wednesday unveiled its new Samsung Galaxy Tab Nook, a 7-inch tablet that uses software for the Barnes & Noble electronic reader. Source: Businessweek.com Date: August 22, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-22/why-samsung-is-hoarding-its-cash#r=hp-ls Questions for… Read more »

Why Target will pull out all the stops to save face in Canada

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

Description: It only took 15 months after Target Corp. made a wildly hyped venture into Canada before someone sounded a death knell for the mass merchant. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Aug 22, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/22/why-target-will-pull-out-all-the-stops-to-save-face-in-canada/ Questions for discussion: What is the financial damage to Target due to its poor performance? How would you deal with the… Read more »

Blackstone CEO: Regulation making markets safer

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

Description: Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman says regulations have eliminated risk: ‘We probably have a safer world, but a world that will grow slower.’ Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 06, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/08/06/stephen-schwarzman-blackstone-financial-regulations-safer-markets.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What does Stephen Schwarzman have to say about the current environment with respect to risk and growth? Do… Read more »