What to Make of the Topsy-Turvy Bond Market

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation.

Description: If you happen to trade bonds for a living, it is entirely understandable if you are feeling a little anxious these days.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: May 21, 2015

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/21/upshot/what-to-make-of-the-topsy-turvy-bond-market.html?abt=0002&abg=0

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is happening in the bond market these days, according to the report?
  • Do you agree with this analysis?

Warren Buffett may be right about Whole Foods

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Buffett joked that nobody smiles at the organic grocer. Investors aren’t either. Shares of Whole Foods plunged due to weak sales growth. Will new stores with cheaper products be the answer to its problems?

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: May 07, 2015

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/05/07/whole-foods-warren-buffett-stock.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why is Whole Foods out of favor with Warren Buffett?
  • Do you think the current strategy will be enough to deal with the competition?
  • Would you be a buyer of any of the companies mentioned in the report?

Yahoo and Alibaba: Misery loves company

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: Alibaba’s plunging stock price is terrible news for Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer. Yahoo plans to spin-off the rest of its Alibaba stake later this year.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: May 06, 2015

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/05/06/yahoo-alibaba-stock-buzz.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why are the two stocks out of favor with investors?
  • Do you think they are oversold?

How do mergers and acquisitions help big pharma?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: The CEO of Novartis sits down with Fortune’s Susie Gharib and talks about how M&A’s help companies to develop innovative drugs faster.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: May 06, 2015

Link: http://for.tn/1QnpHnu

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why is there more M&A interest in the pharmaceutical industry?
  • Is this a good thing for the industry?
  • How should investors approach this industry?

T. Boone Pickens sees oil back to $70 a barrel by year-end

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

Description: LAS VEGAS (MarketWatch)—Energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens says the drop in U.S. oil rig counts will keep a recent rally in crude prices alive, pushing prices to $70 a barrel by the end of the year.

Source: MarketWatch.com

Date: May 07, 2015

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/t-boone-pickens-sees-oil-back-to-70-a-barrel-by-year-end-2015-05-07

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the arguments for higher oil prices as presented in the report.
  • Do you agree with these arguments?

Investors get stark reality check as global bond market comes unglued

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation.

Description: Bond investors, for years accustomed to rising prices and big returns, are getting a stark reality check.

Source: FinancialPost.com

Date: May 07, 2015

Link: http://business.financialpost.com/investing/investors-get-stark-reality-check-as-global-bond-market-comes-unglued

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain what the report says is happening to bonds and why?
  • Do you agree with this assessment?
  • What strategy would you suggest to those holding bonds?

Is it time for the market to crash?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: It’s been a while since stocks have had a significant dip, which is odd for the market, even in the best of times.

Source: Fortune.com – video report

Date: May 05, 2015

Link: http://for.tn/1c2Ghts

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does the report say about market performance?
  • Do you think a correction is due soon? For what reasons?

Why Mario Gabelli is bullish on Berkshire

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues.

Description: Fortune’s Susie Gharib catches up with the GAMCO Investors founder and talks with him about the company in which he’s a major shareholder.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: May 05, 2015

Link: http://for.tn/1AA02id

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the comments made by Mario Gharib?
  • Do you agree with his assessments?

Air Ambulances Offer a Lifeline, and Then a Sky-High Bill

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Clarence W. Kendall, a rancher in Pearce, Ariz., was moving bales on top of a haystack when he fell eight feet and struck his head on the corner of a truck below. His health insurance covered most of the cost of treating the head trauma caused by the accident. But there was one bill, for $47,182, that his insurance did not pay.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: May 05, 2015

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/06/business/rescued-by-an-air-ambulance-but-stunned-at-the-sky-high-bill.html?ref=business&_r=0

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the financial, legal, ethical, and governmental issues at work in this report?
  • What is your opinion about means to control costs?

Opinion: Blame the next global financial crisis on the U.S. dollar

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

Description: The biggest threat to stocks and stability is in your wallet

Source: MarketWatch.com

Date: May 06, 2015

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/blame-the-next-global-financial-crisis-on-the-us-dollar-2015-05-06?dist=lcountdown

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the thinking presented in this report.
  • Do you agree with these arguments?