TD Ameritrade, Scottrade deal is the sign of an industry in the midst of major change

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Personal Finance.

Description: TD Ameritrade’s US$4 billion deal to acquire Scottrade Financial Services Inc. will not only give the company greater scale, but also highlights the ongoing push of discount brokerages into the wealth management sphere amid growing competition in the financial services market. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Oct 25, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/td-ameritrade-scottrade-deal-marks-an-industry-in-the-midst-of-major-change?__lsa=64cb-7420 Questions for discussion: What does… Read more »

Opinion: Here’s proof that investors are wising up to Wall Street’s earnings game

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Personal Finance.

Description: When a company’s earnings have beaten expectations this season, the stock has barely risen Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Oct 28, 2016 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-proof-that-investors-are-wising-up-to-wall-streets-earnings-game-2016-10-28 Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about the “game” going on? What do you think of this analysis?

The Tech Bubble Didn’t Burst This Year. Just Wait

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Description: The industry has splintered into a few sure bets and everything else. That isn’t helping guide us out of the iPhone era into whatever’s next. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 20, 2016 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/the-tech-bubble-didn-t-burst-this-year-just-wait Questions for discussion: What are the concerns raised in this article? Do you agree with the analysis? What would you advise… Read more »

Think Your Retirement Plan?Is Bad? Talk to a Teacher

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Personal Finance.

Description: Schoolteachers and others who pursue careers of service in exchange for modest?paychecks get lightly regulated retirement plans that often charge excessive fees. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 21, 2016 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/23/your-money/403-b-retirement-plans-fees-teachers.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about the administration of these plans? Are there legitimate reasons for concern? What would you advise… Read more »

The stock market is turning into a sloppy, ugly mess—and it could get worse

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Personal Finance.

Description: Dow industrials on pace for longest streak of monthly losses in 5 years. Here are some of the reasons behind the slide Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Oct 14, 2016 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-stock-market-is-turning-into-a-sloppy-ugly-mess-and-it-could-get-worse-2016-10-13 Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about trends and reasons for concern? What would you advise investors do at this time?