Description: Many investors can only look on with envy when Warren Buffett says his shareholders have seen 20% annualized gains over the past 45 years — even the best mutual funds pale by comparison. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 03/05/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/buffett-and-berkshire-outperform-all-mutual-funds-2010-03-05?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons suggested for Buffett’s success when compared to mutual fund… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Industry Analysis
Tom Friedman on bank reform
Description: Author and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman dissects problems in financial regulatory reform. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 02/25/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/02/24/n_tom_friedman_regulation_reform.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Tom Friedman. Do you agree that there is an imbalance in the financing of “good riskâ€? How can more financing be directed… Read more »
Wall Street sours on Palm as smartphone sales stall
Description: Analysts say wireless-device maker has few options; few see buyout as likely. Source: Marketwatch – video report  Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/palms-survival-at-stake-if-smartphones-dont-sell-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Do you think investors have properly valued Palm in the past or presently? On what basis would you set a stock value for the firm? What valuation would you… Read more »
A.I.G. Posts Loss of $11 Billion on Higher Claims
Description: The American International Group said on Friday that it lost about $11 billion last year, surprising analysts and showing the long-term risks inherent in the types of large, complex insurance coverage that the company once pioneered. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/26/2010 Link:Â http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/27/business/27insure.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What is your view of this business model in… Read more »
Broker? Adviser? And What’s the Difference?
Description: THE Great Recession has intensified a long-running debate: who is better able to look out for your money, a broker or an independent adviser? Now that the shock of last year’s losses has worn off, many investors are reconsidering what their financial professionals did — or failed to do — for them. At the… Read more »
Blackstone CEO: Banks feel beat up
Description: Fortune’s Leigh Gallagher discusses Steve Schwarzman’s op-ed piece and explains why banks are blamed for the financial crisis. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 02/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/02/12/f_sl_blackstone_banks.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the statement that “bank lending fuels private equity deals? Explain your answer. Do you believe proposed legislation will harm… Read more »
Geithner’s bailout burden
Description: Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says he will always feel legitimate pressure from the public even though the bailout wasn’t ‘under his watch. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/29/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/29/n_geithner_stimulus_bailout.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you share the views put forward by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner? Explain your answer. In which ways do… Read more »
FDIC: Bonus culture needs to change
Description: FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair is concerned with the lack of real change in big banks’ operations and compensation. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/22/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/22/n_fdic_bair_bank_bonuses.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summary the ideas put forward by Sheila Bair. Do you support her position? Explain your thinking. How do you think the investment industry… Read more »
Obama proposes new limits on big bank risky trading
Description: In his toughest response yet to the financial crisis, Obama proposed Thursday that strict limits be imposed on the size and trading activities of the nation’s biggest banks. The proposal aims to deter commercial banks from becoming so large that they put the broader economy at risk and distort normal competitive forces. The president… Read more »
Goldman’s image crisis
Description: The elite Wall Street firm is criticized for doling out $21 billion in bonuses this year and having sold toxic assets. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/13/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/13/n_goldman_public_attention.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are your impressions of the report with respect to the presentation of the culture of the firm and the… Read more »
