Description: (Bloomberg) — Billionaire Eddie Lampert’s quest to revive Sears Holdings Corp. is looking dubious to credit-swaps traders. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 19, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-19/sears-turnaround-seen-failing-by-traders-in-credit-swaps-market Questions for Discussions: What are the signs that traders think suggest Sears’ demise? Do you agree with this assessment? Can Sears be saved?
Posts Categorized: Industry Analysis
Twitter’s user problem overshadows strong revenue increases
Description: The company posted $479 million in quarterly revenue, up a meteoric 97 percent from this time last year. However, the social media giant’s user growth has slowed to a crawl. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Feb 06, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1C1nKnj Questions for Discussions: What are investors’ concerns with Twitter? Do you think it… Read more »
Inside RadioShack’s slow-motion collapse: Why the fall of the 94-year-old electronics chain didn’t have to be this way
Description: Nathan Hill learned a lot about entertaining himself during his time as a RadioShack employee. Source: FinancialPost.com/Bloomberg Date: Feb 06, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/02/06/inside-radioshacks-slow-motion-collapse-why-the-fall-of-the-94-year-old-electronics-chain-didnt-have-to-be-this-way/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the history of RadioShack from the beginning. Do you think there is a new business model still possible for the RadioShack brand?
Investors binge buy Netflix
Description: Netflix stock is one of the top performers of 2015 thanks to strong earnings and subscriber growth. And it just sold $1.5 billion in bonds to fund future expansion. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Feb 03, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/02/03/netflix-stock-binge-buy.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why are investors pouring into Netflix stock? Do you think the… Read more »
Smucker to Buy Big Heart Pet Brands for $5.8 Billion
Description: Ever since Jerome Monroe Smucker first started selling apple butter in 1897, the company that bears his name has been best known for jams, peanut butter and other treats. Now J.M. Smucker is moving into the world of dog biscuits and cat soufflés. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03, 2015 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/smucker-to-buy-big-heart-pet-brands-for-5-8-billion/?ref=business Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Staples Is Said to Be in Talks to Buy Office Depot
Description: Staples is in advanced talks to buy Office Depot, potentially uniting two of the biggest names in world of pens, paper clips and yes, staples, people briefed on the matter said on Tuesday. If completed, such a deal would consummate a transaction that was first attempted 18 years ago. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03,… Read more »
Forget Yahoo, just buy Alibaba
Description: Yahoo is surging on the news it is spinning off its Alibaba stake. But the Chinese e-commerce giant looks great on its own. It is expected to post strong sales and earnings growth. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 28, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/01/28/buzz-alibaba-better-off-bought-without-yahoo.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why would the sale of Alibaba share… Read more »
How 2014’s Huge Market Moves Are Affecting the Economy in 2015
Description: Global financial markets made a series of epic moves in the second half of 2014: toward a sharply lower price of oil, much lower interest rates, and a far stronger dollar. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 28, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/upshot/how-2014s-huge-market-moves-are-affecting-the-economy-in-2015.html?ref=economy&abt=0002&abg=0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights presented in this report. Do you agree with the… Read more »
Health insurers should thank Obama
Description: Shares of big health care companies have soared since the Affordable Care Act went into effect. UnitedHealth is at a record high following solid earnings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/01/21/obamacare-healthcare-stocks.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why have health insurers done well? Do they still represent a good investment going forward?
Currency trading isn’t for amateurs
Description: There should be a sign hanging outside the foreign-exchange market that reads: Amateurs need not apply. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Jan 21, 2015 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/21/investing/fxcm-swiss-currency-trading/index.html?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: Why is currency trading so risky, according to the report? Why does it attract traders?
