Description: Some factory work is returning to the U.S., thanks to a narrowing wage gap with low-cost countries and to the rising risks posed by long supply lines Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/14/2011 Link:Â Â http://www.businessweek.com/finance/hope-for-american-manufacturingmdashand-maybe-jobs-10142011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the main points presented in this report. Do you agree with the analysis and conclusions? How should… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Industry Analysis
Toyota Said to Tell Partsmakers to Cut Prices
Description: Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), Asia’s biggest carmaker, is telling parts suppliers in Japan to slash prices or face being replaced by overseas rivals as the yen’s value appreciates, four people involved with the discussions said.. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/07/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-07/toyota-said-to-tell-partsmakers-in-japan-to-slash-prices-as-yen-advances.html Questions for discussion: Explain the connection between the value of the Japanese currency… Read more »
A Divide Over Valuing Greek Debt
Description: Dexia, BNP Paribas, and Société Générale are resisting pressure from regulators to accept more losses on their holdings of Greek government debt amid criticism they haven’t written down the bonds sufficiently. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/06/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/europe/a-divide-over-valuing-greek-debt-10062011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the accounting problems facing these banks. What are the possible solutions? How would… Read more »
More Small Businesses Are Selling Receivables at a Loss
Description: Owners who can’t get bank credit or aren’t selling much are tapping commercial financiers known as factors—despite their higher cost Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/27/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/small-business/more-small-businesses-are-selling-receivables-at-a-loss-09272011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the problems described in the article. What are the possible solutions? Is factoring a good choice, in your opinion?
Notre Dame, the Fleecing Irish
Description:Â NBC pays millions to broadcast one of the most mediocre teams in football Source:Â Businessweek.com Date: 09/08/2011 Link:Â http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/notre-dame-the-fleecing-irish-09082011.html Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about the issues surrounding evaluating college football broadcast rights? How would you go about calculating the value of a contract? What recommendations would you make to NBC… Read more »
Yahoo’s Revolving Door Spins Again
Description: With CEO Bartz gone, the board weighs sales of assets in Asia Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/08/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/yahoos-revolving-door-spins-again-09072011.html Questions for discussion: Describe the financial issues facing Yahoo!. Do you think Yahoo management erred by declining the merger offer with Microsoft? Would a merger or acquisition help solve some of the firm’s problems? If so,… Read more »
Alger CEO: Why we stayed in Manhattan after 9/11
Description: The CEO of a New York investment firm explains his decision to lease new space for its headquarters in Manhattan after dozens of employees were killed and its business almost wiped out on September 11, 2001. Source: Fortune.com Date: 09/09/2011 Link:Â Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/09/alger-dan-chung-september-1/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the… Read more »
Banks get pummeled
Description:  Shares of Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and others are hit hard following reports that a federal housing authority plans to sue a dozen or so banks for their shady mortgage dealings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/02/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/09/02/mkts_midday_banks_bac.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you believe these potential lawsuits have merit? How should… Read more »
Kodak’s Revival Effort Came Five Years Too Late, Perez Says
Description: When Jim Lucanish was shopping for new inkjet presses for his Los Angeles printing company, he considered buying from Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) After all, Kodak sells widely admired digital imaging technology. On the other hand, Lucanish knew the company’s six-year-old turnaround effort was faltering, and that gave him pause. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 09/02/2011… Read more »
Is the FDA killing innovation?
Description: Investors say the FDA’s approval process of medical devices is inefficient and opaque. The maker of a non-invasive device that’s proven to identify melanomas risks it all to tell the tale. Source: Fortune.com Date: 09/02/2011 Link:Â Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/02/melafind-fda-innovation/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: What does this report have to say about the affect the FDA approval process… Read more »
