Description: CEO Carol Bartz explains why her company formed a partnership with Microsoft one year after their initial offer. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 9/16/2009 Keys: Mergers & acquisitions, strategic planning Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/09/16/f_mpw_bartz_microsoft.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the partnership for both firms from a strategic planning point of… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Uncategorized
Riding the bull a little longer
Description: The momentum that boosted the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq to nearly one-year highs looks to reassert itself in the week ahead. Fed meeting, housing reports, G-20 summit on tap. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 9/20/2009 Keys: Investing, stock market Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/18/markets/sunday_lookahead/index.htm?postversion=2009092008 Questions for discussion: Based on the report, do you believe the stock markets will… Read more »
Fat Profit Margins Are Road Map to Three Stocks: John Dorfman
Description: There are lots of ways to measure profitability. Many investors fixate on a company’s earnings growth, especially for one-year or five-year periods. I have nothing against that measure — well, wait a moment, I do. It is too sensitive to the starting point, making companies look unduly strong when they are coming off a… Read more »
Marchionne Managing Chrysler Means 5 Mobile Devices in Backpack
Description: To save Chrysler Group LLC, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne has to create a mid-size sedan that can compete with the world’s best. It’s a three- to five-year job, and he may have two years to do it. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 9/14/2009 Keys: Management, investing, marketing Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=awHymjXNOYdI Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategies… Read more »
Is the gold rush for real?
Description: Gold is over $1,000. Our editor at large debates with readers of ‘The Buzz’ whether it’s still a good investment. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 9/08/2009 Keys: Economy, stock market, investing Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/09/08/n_buzz_gold_1000_investment.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons offered for gold price changes? What do you think will happen to the… Read more »
GM ends pay cuts for salaried workers
Description: Automaker restores white-collar staff’s paychecks after temporary reductions made four months ago. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 9/11/2009 Keys: Cash flow, budgeting Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2009/09/11/news/companies/gm_ends_pay_cuts.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009091111 Questions for discussion: Why is this news significant for GM? Explain your answer. What does this suggest about operations and cash flow? Explain your answer.
Cadbury Chairman Rejects ‘Low-Growth’ Kraft’s Offer
Description: — Cadbury Plc, the world’s second- biggest confectionery company, said an unsolicited takeover offer from Kraft Foods Inc. is an “unappealing prospect†due to its rival’s business model and “lower growth†prospects. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 9/12/2009 Keys: Mergers and acquisitions, stock market Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a1pWbUXjfhaU Questions for discussion: Comment on the valuation offered by Kraft?… Read more »
Motorola shares jump on hopes for Google phone
Description: Motorola Inc shares rose 6.5 percent on Friday on hopes the company could turn around its loss-making handset business with the new cellphone it developed with Google Inc. Source: Reuters.com Date: 9/11/2009 Keys: Marketing, stock market, finance, technology Link:Â http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSTRE5884AQ20090911 Questions for discussion: Do you think Cliq will find a share of the smart… Read more »
Atlanta Fed sees turnaround
Description: Executives, policy makers & educators at Emory’s School of Business opine on the state of the recovery in a NYSE panel. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 9/04/2009 Keys: Economy, consumer spending Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/09/04/n_emory_fed_home_depot.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the comments made about the state of the economy. What is your own view of… Read more »
New owners plan to supercharge Skype
Description: All you 480 million Skype users out there should be rejoicing today, now that the Internet calling and video service has been freed from the clutches of eBay. As was announced this morning, eBay is selling a 65% stake in Skype for $1.9 billion in cash to a group of private equity shops and… Read more »
