Description: Although many students may sulk at requiring additional classes, a finance class will create beneficial knowledge for the next generation of career-oriented adults. Source: KSUSentinel.com Date: Mar 04, 2019 Link: http://ksusentinel.com/2019/03/04/opinion-finance-course-should-be-required/ Questions for discussion: What are the primary arguments for making a course mandatory? Do you think it would help solve personal financial problems… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Personal Finance
Facebook, Alphabet Stock Could See Boosts From Direct-To-Consumer Brands
Description: Upstart direct-to-consumer brands—think Warby Parker eyeglasses or Allbirds shoes—should give a sustained boost to companies such as Facebook (ticker: FB) and Alphabet ’s (GOOGL) Google that benefit from their marketing efforts. Source: Barrons.com Date: Feb 25, 2019 Link: https://www.barrons.com/articles/facebook-alphabet-stock-could-see-boosts-from-direct-to-consumer-brands-51551111477 Questions for discussion: Summarize what the report says about changes taking place online. What does this mean for investors?
The $1 reason to keep buying one of the S&P’s hottest stocks: Netflix
Description: There’s been some fist-bumping among the Netflix faithful this week, as the video streamer’s “Roma” walked away with multiple honors at Hollywood’s Oscars. Source: MarkWatch.com Date: Feb 26, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-the-1-reason-to-snap-up-one-of-the-sps-hottest-stocks-2019-02-26 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about Netflix, pricing and its stock appreciation potential? Do you agree with this assessment?
Opinion: How the Upper Middle Class Is Really Doing
Description: Is it more similar to the top 1 percent or the working class? Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 24, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/opinion/income-inequality-upper-middle-class.html?fbclid=IwAR2FSM1zNTrM5USXVZCPKjRW5w4RVA1kI5nOlNE43OrLfLkUmAV74SxxEdM Questions for discussion: What does the research data say about the distribution of wealth since 1980? How much do you think real estate and the stock market have contributed to this phenomenon? Should… Read more »
GE shares surge 13% after Danaher agrees to buy biopharma business for $21.4 billion
Description: Danaher will buy the biopharmaceutical business of General Electricin a $21.4 billion deal, the companies announced Monday. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 25, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/25/danaher-to-buy-the-general-electrics-bio-pharma-business-life-sciences-for-21point4-billion.html Questions for discussion: What motivated the deal for each firm? Explain the rise in stock values? Is this deal good for GE investors in the long run?
Kraft Heinz reviews options for its Maxwell House coffee business, including possible sale, as looks to reshape its food empire
Description: Kraft Heinz, the ailing food giant, has tapped investment bank Credit Suisse to review options for its Maxwell House coffee business, which could include a potential sale, people familiar with the matter tell CNBC. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 24, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/24/kraft-heinz-reviews-options-for-maxwell-house-coffee-including-sale.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail Questions for discussion: What does the article say about… Read more »
How China’s Economic Slowdown Is Rippling Around the Region
Description: How China’s Economic Slowdown Is Rippling Around the Region Source: MarketWatch.com and WSJ.com – video report Date: Feb 2, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/video/how-chinas-economic-slowdown-is-rippling-around-the-region/89AF83D6-4A39-4FD7-982F-534892258A73.html Questions for discussion: Summarize what the report says about the impact China’s economic slowdown is having and the reasons given. What is the suggested impact of a return to normal growth? What… Read more »
Why the $15.4 billion Kraft Heinz brand write-down was unusual
Description: The ‘mega-impairment’ was non-routine and event driven according to research firm Audit Analytics Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 22, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-the-154-billion-kraft-heinz-brand-write-down-was-unusual-2019-02-22 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about the reporting issues at the firm? Do you think investors will be affected?
Warren Buffett’s Big Consumer Bets Bite Back
Description: Warren Buffett has warned investors to stay in their circle of competence when it comes to bets. But now, more than 30 years after Buffett started plowing money into Coca-Cola Co., the rules of the consumer-product game have changed. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Feb 22, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-22/buffett-s-consumer-bets-bite-as-kraft-coca-cola-face-pressure?srnd=premium Questions for discussion: Why did… Read more »
Warren Buffett wants to make an ‘elephant-sized’ purchase, but says ‘prices are sky-high’
Description: Despite a sour year in which Berkshire Hathaway posted a loss and was forced to write down $3 billion on its investments, Warren Buffett told shareholders that he wants to make a big acquisition. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 23, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/23/warren-buffett-wants-to-make-an-elephant-sized-purchase-but-says-prices-are-sky-high.html Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the strategy Buffett employs for… Read more »
