Slowing sales put out Chipotle’s fuego

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:   Chipotle is still growing rapidly, but investors were disappointed that revenues missed lofty forecasts. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report com Date: July 20, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/07/20/investing-bz-Chipotle.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financials for the company. Why has the stock fallen so much? Would you be a buyer or seller at this time?

How to save RIM. Really

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Despite the many grim signs suggesting otherwise, it can be done. Here’s how. Source: Fortune.com Date: July 20, 2012 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/07/20/how-to-save-rim-really/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: Summarize the recommended strategy. Do you agree with this thinking? How will it impact financials at the company during the transition? How would you expect investors to respond to a… Read more »

Spain financial woes worsen as bank bailout approved

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Spain’s financial woes deepened ominously Friday after a heavily indebted region asked Madrid for help and the government predicted more recession next year, prompting investors to dump stocks and government bonds. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: July 20, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/european-business/spain-financial-woes-worsen-as-bank-bailout-approved/article4429366/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the cause of the Spanish stock market drop? How are interest… Read more »

JPMorgan cleans up ‘London whale’ mess

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Despite a $5.8 billion year-to-date trading loss, JPMorgan still earned $5 billion in the second quarter. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: July 13, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/07/13/n-felicia-jp-morgan.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the highlights of management’s effort to fix the damage done. Do you believe it is convincing and will be successful? How can this… Read more »

How Jamie Dimon hid the $6 billion loss

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: A mixture of accounting moves and rosy assumptions appear to have masked JPMorgan’s London Whale. Source: Fortune.com Date: July 13, 2012 Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/07/13/jpmorgan-hid-london-whale/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: How was the $6 billion loss kept hidden? Do you believe management and the firm have been adequately dealt with by the marketplace, investors, and  regulators?

Mobile TV app could upend the cable-broadcast business

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Barry Diller, the consummate Hollywood deal maker who revamped the TV business in the 1980s, is back in the media spotlight after a federal judge threw out an injunction against Aereo, the online TV service he backs. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: July 13, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/business-technology/mobile-tv-app-could-upend-the-cable-broadcast-business/article4414783/ Questions for Discussions: What are the issues facing the… Read more »

Is J.P. Morgan too big to manage?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  In a two-hour session with analysts Friday morning, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.’s top executives fielded numerous questions about the massive trading loss suffered by its chief investment office, but one of them was particularly challenging. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: July 13, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-jp-morgan-too-big-to-manage-2012-07-13?dist=tcountdown Questions for Discussions: Has J.P. Morgan reached ““a tipping point”… Read more »

Apple: Still the best bet in tech

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: As Apple tops $600 a share for the first time since April, it serves as a reminder: In tech, they are king. Don’t bet against the king. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/07/06/investing-bz-apple.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the arguments supporting a continued run up of Apple share values?… Read more »

Should Commodities Investors Take Cover?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:   If the U.S economy begins moving into a downward spiral, as many believe it might, should commodities investors take cover? WSJ’s Simon Constable visits Mean Street to break down the numbers. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://live.wsj.com/video/should-commodities-investors-take-cover/0643512D-78CC-4962-8D54-C977BD6BFD12.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the arguments presented about the movement in commodities…. Read more »

‘Period of remorse’ catches up to Diamond

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Robert Diamond’s resignation, effective immediately, as chief executive officer of Barclays PLC UK:BARC -2.05%  BCS -1.72%  Tuesday morning in the wake of the Libor-manipulation scandal comes a day after he reportedly sent a letter to employees saying he was “sorry” and pledged to impose tougher internal controls. Full story: Bob Diamond resigns as Barclays… Read more »