New iPhone a yawn? Apple is still a bargain

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

Description: Despite concerns that Apple is no longer innovating, investors (including Carl Icahn) can’t ignore the attractive valuation and $147 billion in cash. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 10, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/10/investing-the-buzz-apple-iphone.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Do you think Apple is a good buy, now that investors have further reduced valuations upon seeing the… Read more »

Men’s Wearhouse is out of style

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues, Market Analysis.

Description: Investors flee the retailer after disappointing sales and earnings. Will ousted chairman George Zimmer try to take the company private? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 12, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/12/investing-buzz-mens-wearhouse-sales-george-zimmer-private.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why do failing companies typically go private? Do you think the firm needs new management in order to revive sales… Read more »

Companies Embrace Low Interest Rates by Selling Bonds to Raise Billions

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Description: For companies looking to raise money through the debt markets, and the bankers egging them on, it seems no sum is too large.Verizon Communications shattered records and shook up the bond world on Wednesday when it sold $49 billion of investment-grade corporate debt at one time. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/verizon-set-for-49-billion-debt-sale/?ref=business… Read more »

JCPenney’s newest customers: hedge funds

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Description: A number of hedge funds including Hayman Capital and Glenview Capital are buying up JCPenney stock in the hopes of turning around the troubled retailer. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 04, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/04/investing-the-buzz-jcp-glenview-hayman-capital.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What do you think these new buyers of stock see in the company? How does… Read more »

Bond yields hitting 3%? Not so fast!

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

Description: Fewer jobs were added than expected in August, which may be a sign that the economy is not strong enough yet for the Fed to start tapering its monthly asset purchases. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 06, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/06/investing-the-buzz-us-bonds-taper-jobs-report.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Explain the connection between bond prices and the interest… Read more »

Why We’ll Be Better Off if the Walmart Protests Fail

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Description: Employees of the big box store are planning a national day of protest for higher wages. Economist Richard Vedder on why we’ll all be in trouble if they get their way. Source: Thedailybeast.com Date: Sep 05, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/05/why-we-ll-be-better-off-if-the-walmart-protests-fail.html Questions for Discussions: How would a jump in minimum wage to $12/hour affect companies now… Read more »

Syria needs liberal capitalism, not missiles

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

Description: Revolutions, wars and the emergence of totalitarian movements are rarely just about grand ideals, political philosophy or theological disputes. Source: Telegraph.co.uk Date: Sep 04, 2013 Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/10284077/Syria-needs-liberal-capitalism-not-missiles.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the political economic arguments presented in this report. Do you agree with the assessment? What role do western investors play in this situation?

El-Erian: Syria could halt sluggish growth

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

Description: Pimco’s Mohamed El-Erian discusses Syria’s impact on oil prices, Chancellor Merkel’s recent statements about Greece and U.S. Treasury yields. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 28, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/08/28/n-cmw-pimco-el-erian-syria-oil-merkel-bond-yields.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for uncertainty in markets today according to El-Erian. How do you think oil prices will behave in the… Read more »

Investors can hear Verizon now

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Description: Shares of Verizon soar on reports that the company might make a deal with UK-based partner Vodafone to finally buy out its 45% stake in Verizon Wireless. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 29, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/08/29/investing-the-buzz-verizon-wireless-deal-vodafone.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why would Verizon want to buy Vodafone’s shares? Is the debt a concern?… Read more »