Description: From a muni meltdown to a recovery in bank stocks to a Yahoo turnaround, we were told a bunch of things would happen this year that didn’t even come close. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 12/30/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/economy/1112/gallery.worst-predictions-2011.fortune/index.html Questions for discussion: Which prediction seems particularly weak, given 20-20 hindsight today? What does this report suggest… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Growth & Valuation
BofA’s ‘Three-Ring Circus’ Posts Worst Showing in Dow Average
Description: Bank of America Corp. is on track to be this year’s worst performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average as concern about mounting mortgage losses and a global economic slowdown weighed on the second-biggest U.S. lender. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/30/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-30/bofa-s-three-ring-circus-posts-worst-showing-in-dow-average.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. Is… Read more »
Sachs: How Reaganomics toppled the U.S.
Description: Economist Jeffrey Sachs says the policies of the Reagan administration led to the destruction of the American middle class. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/23/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/22/n_opinion_jeff_sachs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Jeffrey Sachs favoring greater government involvement in the economy. What are the items you agree with and those… Read more »
Apple at the retail crossroads
Description:Â People love to speculate on the future of Apple Inc. I am no exception. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 12/23/2011 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-at-the-retail-crossroads-2011-12-23 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with this assessment? What would you advise investors do today?
The super rich just don’t get it
Description:Â Wealthy financiers are trying to turn the Occupy movement into a rich vs. poor debate. What they still don’t understand is that Americans don’t hate the rich. They hate the rich in finance. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/23/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/22/jamie-dimon-rich/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions and ethical issues expressed in this report? What is… Read more »
Finance on the Ropes
Description:Â For Wall Street, it’s been a series of unfortunate events Source: Businessweek.com Date: 12/22/2011 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/finance-on-the-ropes-12222011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the report. What is your opinion of this thinking?
What would make Caterpillar add jobs
Description: Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman explains what the company needs to hire in the near and long-term. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/13/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/13/n_cat_ceo_adding_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the challenges facing the firm? How do these issues relate to your understanding of the state of the economy? What should companies, governments and… Read more »
Whole Foods shareholder’s big payday
Description:Â When things looked bleak for Whole Foods in 2008, private-equity retail specialist Leonard Green & Partners gave the natural foods retailer a $425 million cash injection, gobbling up preferred stock that was later converted to nearly 30 million shares. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 12/13/2011 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/whole-foods-shareholders-big-payday-2011-12-13?dist=afterbell Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial analysis presented in… Read more »
Investing after the Arab Spring: Unfinished business
Description:Â The ongoing revolutions across the Middle East would seem to be good news for markets. But so far they’ve scared most foreign investors away. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/13/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/13/investing-middle-east-north-africa/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions expressed in this report? What would your advice be to investors at this time?
Sentiment Looks Too Rosy for Stronger Stock Rally
Description: Stocks like to climb a “wall of worry,” according to Mark Hulbert, who says the positive readings on various investor-sentiment surveys suggest it will be tough for stocks to build on recent gains. Laura Mandaro reports. (Photo: AP) Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 12/08/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/sentiment-looks-too-rosy-for-stronger-stock-rally/1BFCFC60-F0CA-4FEA-9D1A-99C1B0FD903C Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented… Read more »
