Sachs: How Reaganomics toppled the U.S.

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

Description:  Economist Jeffrey Sachs says the policies of the Reagan administration led to the destruction of the American middle class. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/23/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/22/n_opinion_jeff_sachs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented by Jeffrey Sachs favoring greater government involvement in the economy. What are the items you agree with and those… Read more »

Oracle Sales, Profit Miss Estimates

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

Description:  Oracle Corp. (ORCL) dropped the most in more than nine years, dragging down other software makers, after it reported quarterly sales and profit that missed analysts’estimates in a sign companies are spending less on programs that help them manage operations. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 12/21/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-20/oracle-misses-estimates-as-clients-throttle-tech-spending-shares-decline.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this… Read more »

The super rich just don’t get it

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

Description:  Wealthy financiers are trying to turn the Occupy movement into a rich vs. poor debate. What they still don’t understand is that Americans don’t hate the rich. They hate the rich in finance. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/23/2011 Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/22/jamie-dimon-rich/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions and ethical issues expressed in this report? What is… Read more »

What would make Caterpillar add jobs

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

Description:  Caterpillar CEO Doug Oberhelman explains what the company needs to hire in the near and long-term. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/13/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/12/13/n_cat_ceo_adding_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the challenges facing the firm? How do these issues relate to your understanding of the state of the economy? What should companies, governments and… Read more »

All the world’s a game

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

Description: Video games will be the fastest-growing and most exciting form of mass media over the coming decade, says Tim Cross Source: TheEconomist.com Date: 12/10/2011 Link: http://www.economist.com/node/21541164 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this report. What does this report suggest about investing strategies related to the growth of the industry?

One small company reinvents a $30 billion market

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

Description:   Sometimes one bright idea — and a whole lot of work to implement it — can reshape an entire industry. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/09/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/09/smallbusiness/eagleview/index.htm?iid=SF_BN_River Questions for discussion: How has this technological innovation changed costing and budgeting in the industry?

Yahoo’s big decision should be easy

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

Description:  Yahoo may have a chance to sell its entire business, rather than just a piece. It should accept. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/01/2011 Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/02/yahoos-decision-total-or-partial-takeover/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented about various possible scenarios for Yahoo. What would your advice be to the firm’s directors?

RIM finds new ways to disappoint investors

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

Description:  Research In Motion Ltd. (RIM-T17.08-1.73-9.20%) took a hit of nearly half-a-billion dollars on its PlayBook tablet, but it was troubling news about sales of its BlackBerry smartphones that stoked fresh worries from investors about the tech giant. Source:  GlobeandMail.com Date: 12/02/2011 Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rim-finds-new-ways-to-disappoint-investors/article2257745/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this report. Would you… Read more »

Can the Jobs-and-Income Crisis End Well?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description:  Some economists believe that today’s grinding unemployment and slow growth are masking the transition to a vibrant digital economy Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/25/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/finance/can-the-jobsandincome-crisis-end-well-11252011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments about the current economic malaise. What is your view of the situation and how do you think things will develop over the next… Read more »