Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the e-commerce company whose fortunes surged along with China’s economy, plans an historic U.S. initial public offering that may also claim the global record. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 06, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-05/alibaba-seeks-21-1-billion-in-record-breaking-u-s-ipo-3-.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial highlights described in this report that argue for and against the IPO… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Industry Analysis
Alibaba’s expected blockbuster IPO may mean garage sale of less attractive tech stocks
Description: Investors are looking over portfolios to make room for Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings Inc’s market debut next month – and that means some less attractive stocks that funds are holding might be shown the door. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Aug 26, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/26/alibabas-expected-blockbuster-ipo-may-mean-garage-sale-of-less-attractive-tech-stocks/ Questions for Discussions: How might Alibaba’s IPO affect individual… Read more »
The Coolest Kickstarter ever raises over $13 million
Description: It’s the most successful Kickstarter campaign ever. The Coolest Cooler (yes, a cooler) raised $13.3 million in its 52-day run. The previous record holder, the Pebble smartwatch raised $10.2 million in 2012. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 29, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2014/08/29/smallbusiness/coolest-cooler-kickstarter-campaign-ends/index.html?iid=Lead Questions for discussion: How is Kickstarter helping finance entrepreneurs? Do you… Read more »
O’Leary on Tim Hortons
Description: O’Leary’s take on the Tims-Burger King merger. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Aug 28, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=427238 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the opinions presented by Kevin O’Leary about the reasons for the deal and why he sold his shares. Do you think the deal will result in increased cash flow for either company?
S&P 500 Tops 2,000. Don’t Do Anything
Description: On Monday the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index traded above 2,000 for the first time, getting to just under 2,002 before retreating below the 2K mark in early afternoon. Should you cheer? Or panic? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Aug 25, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-25/s-and-p-500-hits-2-000-dot-should-investors-buy-sell-or-hold#r=hpf-s Questions for Discussions: What is the message to investors in this article?… Read more »
Allergan’s attempts to elude Ackman’s bid fuel bearish bets
Description: Should Bill Ackman and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. fail in their bid to take over Allergan Inc., options traders will be hedged. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Aug 28, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-28/allergan-attempts-to-elude-ackman-bid-fuel-bearish-bets.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the various strategies in play? What would you advise investors to do at this time?
Why Samsung Is Hoarding Its Cash
Description: Now that it’s selling Nooks to consumers, Samsung Electronics has a new way to compete with Apple and Amazon.com. The Korean company on Wednesday unveiled its new Samsung Galaxy Tab Nook, a 7-inch tablet that uses software for the Barnes & Noble electronic reader. Source: Businessweek.com Date: August 22, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-22/why-samsung-is-hoarding-its-cash#r=hp-ls Questions for… Read more »
Too Much Corn With Nowhere to Go as U.S. Sees Record Crop
Description: The ripening corn and soybean fields stretch for miles in every direction from Dennis Wentworth’s farm in Downs, Illinois. As he marveled at his best-yielding crops ever, he wondered aloud where the heck he’ll put it all. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Aug 22, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-22/too-much-corn-with-nowhere-to-go-as-u-s-sees-record-crop.html Questions for Discussions: How does this article illustrate the… Read more »
Arrogance Is Good: In Defense of Silicon Valley
Description: Sam Altman sits behind his desk with his knees pulled up to his chest, eating dried apricots. He’s 29, but even the most laissez-faire bartender would card him. His hand is forever grabbing his hair while he thinks, making it stick up in Einsteinian tufts. Source: Businessweek.com Date: August 07, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-07/silicon-valley-tech-entrepreneurs-behind-the-stereotype#p1 Questions… Read more »
Why stock market bubble talk is just hot air
Description: Fortune’s Stephen Gandel discusses why it’s not time to bail on the stock market just yet. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: June 06, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/video/2014/06/06/why-stock-market-bubble-talk-is-just-hot-air/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the explanations presented in this report. Do you agree with Stephen Gandel’s assessments and projections?
