Description: In one industry after another, big companies have become more dominant over the past 15 years, new data show. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 25, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/25/opinion/monopolies-in-the-us.html Questions for discussion: What does the report say about mergers and their effect on the economy? Do you agree with this assessment?
Posts Categorized: Personal Finance
It’s been an ‘avalanche’ of bad news for Apple, but this investor isn’t…
Description: Dan Ives, managing director of Wedbush Securities, and Ed Snyder, co-founder and managing director at Charter Equity Research, discuss whether the market is overreacting in the sell-off of Apple. It’s been an ‘avalanche’ of bad news for Apple, but this investor isn’t bearish on the stock yet from CNBC. Source: CNBC.com – video report… Read more »
Fast-food stocks are soaring amid the volatility, here are one to buy and one to sell
Description: As volatility rocks the market, one group of stocks is sizzling — fast food. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Nov 23, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/23/fast-food-stocks-soaring-amid-volatility-one-to-buy-and-one-to-sell.html Questions for discussion: Explain the rise in these stock prices. Do you think they are a buy at this time?
7 key reasons the ‘bottom is falling out’ of oil prices on Black Friday
Description: WTI falls by 7.7% to settle Friday trade at its lowest since Oct. 9, 2017 Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Nov 23, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/6-key-reasons-the-bottom-is-falling-out-of-oil-prices-on-black-friday-2018-11-23 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the assessment and the reasons given in this report? What should investors do?
The $200 Trillion Gold Rush That Has Reshaped Private Banking
Description: From Hong Kong to Miami, private bankers are finding new ways to serve the growing ranks of the world’s wealthy. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Nov 24, 2018 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-11-24/the-200-trillion-gold-rush-that-has-reshaped-private-banking Questions for discussion: Summarize and interpret the highlights of the report. What does it suggest to investors going forward, in your opinion?
A Winter-Coat Heavyweight Gives Trump’s Trade War the Cold Shoulder
Description: Columbia Sportswear has worked around tariffs for decades — and it says the president’s new wave of levies will not bring jobs back to America. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 23, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/business/economy/columbia-sportswear-trump-trade-war.html Questions for discussion: What does the report say about how the firm deals with tariffs and financially related issues concerning trade?… Read more »
Hedge fund titan Ray Dalio says the world is counting on stocks going up and that will mean trouble in a bear market
Description: Hedge fund magnate Ray Dalio warned investors on Thursday the next bear market could be very painful since most are not prepared for it. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Nov 15, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/15/hedge-fund-king-ray-dalio-says-the-world-is-long-stocks-and-that-will-mean-trouble-in-a-bear-market.html Questions for discussion: Explain the concerns expressed by Ray Dalio in the interview. Do you think he is overly concerned about… Read more »
Banks are ready to tighten lending if the yield curve inverts
Description: The banking industry is telling the Federal Reserve that a flattening yield curve could squeeze their businesses. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com Date: Nov 13, 2018 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/banks-ready-tighten-lending-yield-curve-inverts-210834687.html Questions for discussion: What are the banks’ concerns in terms of the spread? What should investors do, given this situation?
Buffett’s big bank bet explained using a simple measure of stock market value
Description: Everyone is concerned about an overvalued stock market. And they should be. You don’t reach a full decade of a bull run without asking the reasonable question about stock values. A simple explanation that Warren Buffett once gave for knowing when the market is overvalued doesn’t present a full-throated endorsement of market bargains being… Read more »
Walmart’s focus on lower prices, e-commerce pays off as costs rise and tariffs loom
Description: Walmart reported 43% e-commerce growth and U.S. same-store sales growth of 3.4% in the third quarter Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Nov 15, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/walmarts-focus-on-lower-prices-e-commerce-pays-off-as-costs-rise-and-tariffs-loom-2018-11-15 Questions for discussion: Summarize and interpret the reported financial results at Walmart. What explains these results? How should investors treat this information?