Description: Lithium, the lightest metal on earth, has become such a heavyweight in commodities markets that it is increasingly being mentioned in the same sentence as rare earths or vanadium. It’s not a compliment. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Mar 17, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/news/mining/lithium-is-the-latest-hot-metal-commodity-but-investor-fever-could-be-cooling Questions for discussion: What does the report say to investors about the future… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Industry Analysis
Number of distressed U.S. retailers at highest level since Great Recession
Description: Moody’s says 14% of its retail names are sitting at the lowest level of the credit-rating spectrum Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 27, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/number-of-distressed-us-retailers-at-highest-level-since-great-recession-2017-02-27?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial analysis of the industry as presented in the report. How should investors evaluate these stocks today? Do you foresee opportunities for mergers or… Read more »
What Lyft’s Funding, and Uber’s Struggles, Mean for the Sharing Economy
Description: Ride-hailing service Lyft is seeking $500 million in funding, which would value the company between $6 billion and $7 billion, Reuters reports. By comparison, its biggest competitor Uber is valued at about $70 billion. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Feb 23, 2017 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/What-Lyfts-Funding-Ubers-Struggles-Mean-Sharing-Economy/1015361?ecid=NL1001 Questions for Discussions: What does the report suggest about the growth prospects… Read more »
Warren Buffett’s ‘bottom line’ in letter to Berkshire Hathaway: Don’t waste money on investment fees
Description: OMAHA, Neb. — Billionaire Warren Buffett used his much anticipated annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders to reiterate his wariness of high Wall Street fees and his positive outlook for the U.S. economy. Source: NationalPost.com Date: Feb 25, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/global-investor/warren-buffetts-bottom-line-in-annual-letter-to-berkshire-hathaway-dont-waste-money-on-investment-fees Questions for discussion: What is the basis for Buffett’s advice? What would happen… Read more »
Apple Was Just Dethroned as Most Valuable Brand in the World
Description: Google takes the seat Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Feb 03, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2kxbIEn Questions for Discussions: How should a brand be evaluated, from an investor’s point of view? Do you think investors are overpaying for the brands listed in this report?
Trump administration plans to roll back Dodd-Frank law, fiduciary rule
Description: White House sees banks burdened by rules Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 03, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-administration-plans-to-scale-back-dodd-frank-law-2017-02-03 Questions for discussion: Do you think this line of thinking is a good idea? Do you think it will change the way investors behave?
Cisco Acquired AppDynamics for $3.7 Billion at the Last Minute
Description: Is this acquisition better than the company going to public? Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 25, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2j5Yf72 Questions for Discussions: What are the arguments suggesting this is a bad deal for investors? Do you agree?
To Understand a Tax on Mexican Imports, Consider the Avocado
Description: Enjoy the guacamole as you watch the Super Bowl on Feb. 5. Some of the ingredients might be a little more expensive next year. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 27, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/business/economy/importers-tax-mexico.html?ref=business&_r=0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the affect of the tax, as presented in this report. Which businesses and industries are likely to be… Read more »
How Donald Trump and Brexit Made Big Banks More Profitable
Description: A win on Wall Street Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 19, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2k8dk7R Questions for Discussions: Track the events highlighted in this report. Do you agree with this analysis?
Big Ten Universities Entering a New Realm: E-Sports
Description: In a recognition of the popularity of e-sports on college campuses, most Big Ten universities will field teams in the multiplayer online game League of Legends and compete in a style resembling conference play, in a partnership with the Big Ten Network. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 19, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/19/sports/big-ten-is-entering-a-new-realm-e-sports.html?ref=business&_r=0 Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »
