Description: The Federal Reserve is inching closer to revamping its communications strategy by stating more explicitly than ever before what would get officials to raise short-terms interest rates. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: Nov 13, 2012 Link: http://on.wsj.com/QEUT6E Questions for Discussions: What are the implications for providing clearly defined triggers for interest rate changes?… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Growth & Valuation
Twinkie Maker Hostess to Close
Description:Â Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of iconic treats such as Twinkies and traditional pantry staple Wonder Bread, said Friday it is shuttering its plants and firing about 18,000 workers as it seeks to liquidate the 82-year-old business. Source:Â WSJ.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link:Â http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324556304578122632560842670.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the demise… Read more »
BlackBerry beats Apple! Really.
Description: Apple shares have plunged more than 20% from their peak. During the same time, RIMM has soared 20%. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 08, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/11/08/investing-apple-research-in-motion.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the recent stock movements of RIM and Apple. What is the argument for owning either stock? Where do you see these… Read more »
Zillow’s bubble may have burst
Description: Online real estate site Zillow’s forecast is weaker than expected, but that’s not a bad sign for the housing recovery. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 06, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/11/06/investing-zillow.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why did this stock drop in price so dramatically, according to the reporter? What lessons are there for other momentum… Read more »
Google Ventures ups fund to $300m a year
Description: Google Ventures announced in a tweet yesterday it has increased its fund by 50 percent to $300 million a year and plans to invest $1.5 billion in startups through 2017. Source: Smartplanet.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/google-ventures-ups-fund-to-300m-a-year/5174?tag=header;header-sec Questions for Discussions: Explain the rationale for Google’s Venture fund? What primary benefit can Google receive… Read more »
How Sprint is outperforming Apple
Description: CEO Dan Hesse’s turnaround of Sprint has the wireless carrier’s stock outperforming Apple’s. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/magazines/fortune/2012/11/02/ldrshp-sprint-1.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: Why has Sprint stock done so well over the past year? How has the deal with Apple changed cash flow? Would you be an investor in Sprint… Read more »
It’s Global Warming, Stupid
Description: Yes, yes, it’s unsophisticated to blame any given storm on climate change. Men and women in white lab coats tell us—and they’re right—that many factors contribute to each severe weather episode. Climate deniers exploit scientific complexity to avoid any discussion at all. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Nov 01, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-01/its-global-warming-stupid#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: What… Read more »
Investing a lump sum of money in stocks pays off
Description:Â A mutual fund giant challenges an investment technique financial advisers have used for decades, and many professionals are taken aback. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/putting-a-lump-sum-of-money-into-stocks-pays-off-2012-11-02?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Summarize the highlights of this study. How would you expect investors and advisors to react to the conclusions in the study?
Expedia takes off
Description: Shares of the travel site are soaring after the company crushes earnings forecasts yet again, raising the bar for rivals Priceline and Orbitz. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 26, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/10/26/investing-expedia-priceline-orbitz.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why do you suppose Expedia has performed better than other online competitors? How important is “brand†in… Read more »
Billions in Hidden Riches for Family of Chinese Leader
Description: The mother of China’s prime minister was a schoolteacher in northern China. His father was ordered to tend pigs in one of Mao’s political campaigns. And during childhood, “my family was extremely poor,†the prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said in a speech last year. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 25, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/business/global/family-of-wen-jiabao-holds-a-hidden-fortune-in-china.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »
