Description:Â Â Â Hostess Brands, known for sweet treats like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, is back in Chapter 11. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/11/2012 Link:Â http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/hostess-files-for-bankruptcy/?ref=business Questions for discussion: Why do you think the firm is in financial difficulty again? What is the financial condition of the firm? What would you advise management do today?
Posts Categorized: Growth & Valuation
Weil: Why Zombie Banks Hate to Write Off Bad Loans
Description: There’s a simple explanation for why the world’s zombie banks remain so reluctant to write off worthless assets and tap the equity markets for fresh capital. They don’t want to end up like UniCredit SpA. (UCG) Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/11/2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-12/financial-frankness-is-a-bad-dream-for-a-bank-commentary-by-jonathan-weil.html Questions for discussion: What is the explanation for not writing off bad… Read more »
Can anyone save Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
Description: It has been more than three years since then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson fired his famous metaphorical bazooka and the federal government seized control of mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 01/11/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/11/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: According to the report, what are the reasons for ongoing problems at… Read more »
Private Equity: Hero or Villain?
Description: Now that it’s become a campaign issue, it’s worth asking: Is private equity good for America? Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/11/2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/private-equity-hero-or-villain-01112012.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. Do you agree with these assessments?
Investing in a bi-polar world
Description: Blackrock’s Chief Equity Strategist Bob Doll discusses the Europe debt crisis, U.S. corporate earnings and the social unrest. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/06/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/01/05/mkts_ss_blackrock_doll_2012.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Bob Doll concerning the global economy. Do you agree that with his assessments? How would you approach investing today?
Here comes the big profit lie
Description:Â Wall Street expects corporate miracles in 2012, and that means trouble. Source: Fortune.com Date: 01/06/2012 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/06/profit-expectations-unrealistic/?iid=SF_F_LN Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in this critique of Wall Street. Do you agree with this assessment? Is there anything to be done by regulators?
U.S. Stocks Funds Have Second-Worst Year as Clients Pull Out
Description:Â U.S. stock mutual funds that invest in domestic equities had their second-worst redemptions last year as record market swings sent investors to the perceived safety of bond funds. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/06/2012 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-06/u-s-stocks-funds-have-second-worst-year-as-clients-pull-out.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. What does the report suggest about possible future economic… Read more »
Analysis: U.S. casinos, vendors eye big online-poker stakes
Description:Â Louis Castle has been preparing for this moment for months. Even before the Justice Department effectively gave the green light for states to legalize online gambling, the Shuffle Master Inc chief strategy officer had assembled a design team for a multiplayer gaming platform, kicked off a hiring plan, and made preparations to launch the… Read more »
Investors flee gold and hedge funds
Description: TrimTabs CEO Charles Biderman says money flowed out of gold and hedge funds and into bonds and bank savings accounts in 2011. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/29/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/28/n_trimtabs_ceo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Charles Biderman concerning investor behavior and the economy. Do you agree with his assessments? How… Read more »
U.S. & Brazil: 2012’s breakout stars
Description: Fund managers at Fortune’s investors roundtable single out the U.S. and Brazil as the likely star performers of 2012. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/28/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/12/28/mkts_2012_breakout_stars.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the assessments presented by these fund managesr? What would you advise investors do today?
