Description: First-round bids for the debt-ridden MGM studio were due Friday afternoon, but most of the bids are expected to trickle in through the weekend, sources familiar with the matter said. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1517371220100116 Questions for discussion:Â Which of the possible bidders would enjoy the greatest degree of synergy with MGM? Given… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Uncategorized
Bove: ‘2010 a great year for banks’
 Description: Banking analyst Dick Bove thinks that this year will be a boon for battered banks. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/04/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/01/04/mkts_dick_bove_2010.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis and predictions presented by Dick Bove? Explain your thinking. Would you be a buyer or seller of the banks? Explain… Read more »
Kraft’s cheesy math
Description: In the strange but true department, a recent securities filing by Kraft Foods seems to stretch the value stock investors are willing to place on the company. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/08/2010 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/08/news/companies/kraft.proxy.fortune/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think there is anything inappropriate going on in this situation? Explain your thinking. Do you think… Read more »
Former AIG chief takes shot at Goldman Sachs: report
Description:Â The former head of American International Group Inc is urging a closer look at the actions of Goldman Sachs Group Inc, claiming the investment bank contributed to the insurer’s near-collapse, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/09/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6081IB20100109 Questions for discussion: What is your view of this exchange between… Read more »
U.S. Stocks Rise Most in Two Months as Factory Orders Increase
Description: U.S. stocks advanced, sending the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to the biggest weekly gain in two months, as the nation’s manufacturing increased more than forecast and metal and oil prices surged. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/09/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a.YfWoX7if4E Questions for discussion: What does the article suggest is an important indicator of stock market performance?… Read more »
London’s Investment Banks Double Pay to Lure Back City Talent
Description: London’s investment banks are luring back traders and analysts they lost to brokerage firms during the credit crisis, compensating for lower bonuses by as much as doubling base salaries. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/08/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aCYBE_nDS.Ys Questions for discussion: What does the article suggest to you about the financial services industry’s dealings with compensation? Do… Read more »
High-speed computerized trading
Description: High frequency trading offers opportunities by the millisecond and a bundle of regulatory issues. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 12/30/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2009/12/30/mkts_high_frequency_trading.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the primary reasons for the fast growth in market share for this software? Do you believe that this sort of software presents any special problems… Read more »
Companies Google should buy in 2010
Description: Google CEO Eric Schmidt said in September that the search leader will buy up to one company a month in 2010. Here’s a look at some of the leading contenders. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/02/2010 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/technology/0912/gallery.google_acquisitions/index.html Questions for discussion: Do you agree or disagree with the assessments made favouring these acquisitions? Explain your thinking…. Read more »
Kraft to raise Cadbury bid in next 2 weeks -report
Description:Â Kraft Foods (KFT.N) is preparing to sweeten its hostile 10 billion pound ($15.9 billion) takeover bid for British confectionery maker Cadbury (CBRY.L), reported the Sunday Times. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/03/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE60207X20100103 Questions for discussion: Do you believe the bid is overpriced? Explain your thinking. How would you assess the bidding process thus far… Read more »
Bernanke Says Low Rates Didn’t Cause Housing Bubble
Description: Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the central bank’s low interest rates didn’t cause the past decade’s housing bubble and that better regulation would have been more effective in limiting the boom. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/03/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=auCLZh_HZf9E&pos=1 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with Ben Bernanke’s views about the cause of the… Read more »
