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

Description: Greek borrowing costs jump and markets tumble as Alexis Tsipras, Greece’s new prime minister, vows never to blindly submit to European creditors and government blocks sale of state assets

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Date: Jan 28, 2015

Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/11374258/Markets-tumble-as-Greek-government-begins-to-backtrack-on-austerity.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why did the Greek stock market drop off so dramatically?
  • What are the concerns to investors with respect to debt and economic recovery?
  • What might this mean for the Euro?

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

Description: Shares of big health care companies have soared since the Affordable Care Act went into effect. UnitedHealth is at a record high following solid earnings.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Jan 21, 2015

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2015/01/21/obamacare-healthcare-stocks.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why have health insurers done well?
  • Do they still represent a good investment going forward?

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

Description: It’s the burgers time to shine in the restaurant market right now as New York City’s Shake Shack announces it’s trying to net as much as $80 million in its initial public offering.

Source: Fortune.com – video report

Date: Jan 20, 2015

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

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain the investor appeal in these food stocks?
  • How have longer established firms like McDonalds and Burger King performed in comparison?

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

Description: There should be a sign hanging outside the foreign-exchange market that reads: Amateurs need not apply.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: Jan 21, 2015

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/21/investing/fxcm-swiss-currency-trading/index.html?iid=HP_River

Questions for discussion:

  • Why is currency trading so risky, according to the report?
  • Why does it attract traders?

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

Description: Hedge fund manager Zach Schreiber stood on stage at Avery Fisher Hall in New York eight months ago and made a bold prediction.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: Jan 21, 2015

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-20/druckenmiller-alums-at-pointstate-make-1-billion-on-oil.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What was the basis for shorting oil?
  • How should investors view oil today?

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

Description: Ah, Switzerland, famed for cuckoo clocks and sound money. Other nations may experiment with radical economic policies, but with the Swiss you don’t get surprises.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Jan 15, 2015

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/16/opinion/paul-krugman-francs-fear-and-folly.html?mabReward=R5&action=click&contentCollection=Middle%20East&region=Footer&module=Recommendation&src=recg&pgtype=article

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the actions taken by the Swiss to manage the franc.
  • What is the concern for the US dollar?

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

Description: Fortune’s Stephen Gandel explains how low oil prices are affecting market trends across the globe.

Source: Fortune.com – video report

Date: Jan 16, 2015

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

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the keys points made in this report.
  • How should investors be expected to respond?
  • How can companies “defend” against the expected investor reaction?

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

Description: Oscar nominations are expected to bring in millions of extra dollars for films nominated for or winning Academy Awards.

Source: Fortune.com – video report

Date: Jan 17, 2015

Link: http://for.tn/1sHlzH2

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does the report say about the value of an Oscar influence on profits?
  • Can investors factor this into investing strategies?
  • How risky is this way of thinking?

Posted by & filed under Management Issues.

Description: Want to work on Wall Street? Suit up, turn your spell check on, and leave your risk-taking, self-starter attitude home.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Jasn 13, 2015

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-13/wall-street-doesnt-want-you-unless-youre-a-robot#r=hpt-fs

Questions for discussion:

  • What does the article say about hiring at Wall Street firms?
  • Are you surprised?

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

Description: In the wake of the 2008 market crash, a growing number of individual investors jumped into currency trading under the impression that it was a safer bet than stocks. On Thursday, investors learned just how wrong they were.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: Jan 16, 2015

Link: http://fortune.com/2015/01/16/swiss-franc-400-million-losses/

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the lessons investors should take away from this fiasco?
  • Was there a way for the firm to avoid or mitigate this scenario?