Putin’s Stash of Oil Money Is Shrinking

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

Description: While oil prices were soaring, Russia amassed a pile of hard currency that most countries could only dream of.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Dec 05, 2014

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-12-05/russia-needs-cash#r=hpt-ls

Questions for Discussions:

  • How has oil changed Russia’s economy?
  • Why is capital leaving?
  • What can Russia do about the low price of oil to mitigate the damage being done?

Oil could go below $65 per barrel: Deshpande

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

Description: Natixis Oil Market Analyst Abhishek Deshpande discusses the possibilities for the price of oil post the current OPEC meeting. He speaks with Francine Lacqua and Guy Johnson on Bloomberg (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 27, 2014

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/oil-could-go-below-65-per-barrel-deshpande-XdO9Eb75S3OzvtNQPI0mLw.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is Abhishek Deshpande’s assessment of current and future oil prices?
  • Do you agree with his assessment?
  • How should investors respond to his projections?

How Oil’s Price Plunge Impacts Wall Street?  

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

Description: Energy Aspects Geopolitical Analyst Richard Mallinson discusses the price of oil. He speaks on “Bloomberg Surveillance.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 28, 2014

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/opec-keeps-producing-cedes-no-ground-to-u-s-shale-oil-7cTjM8eeQsGWTn9TtLTflg.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is Richard Mallinson’s view of lower oil prices on Wall Street?
  • Do you agree?

The problem with hedge funds

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation.

Description: AQR Capital Management co-founder, Cliff Asness, breaks down some pros and cons of hedge funds.

Source: Fortune.com – video report

Date: Nov 24, 2014

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

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does Cliff Asness have to say about hedge funds and hedge fund investors?
  • What do you think of his commentary?

Failed Allergan Deal Strains Valeant’s Business Model

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

Description: Valeant Pharmaceuticals just spent the year in the “make William Ackman even richer” business.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Nov 26, 2014

Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/failed-allergan-deal-strains-valeants-business-model/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the events described in this takeover battle.
  • Who benefited the most?
  • Were there any ”losers”?

Buying Stocks For 2015 With The Market At New Highs

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: There’s nothing like screening the market for cheap stocks on a daily basis to put you in close touch with the state of equity valuations.  Since July 2012 as editor of Forbes Dividend Investor, I’ve been scouring the market for stocks trading at discounts to average valuations over the past three- and five-year periods.

Source: Forbes.com

Date: Nov 26, 2014

Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/johndobosz/2014/11/26/buying-stocks-for-2015-with-the-market-at-new-highs/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is the basis for stock selections, as described in this report?
  • What do you think about the stock portfolio?
  • What would you suggest in the current market?

The winners and losers in the oil game

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

Description: The new age of abundant and cheap energy is changing fortunes in the geopolitical landscapes, strengthening some governments while weakening others. Bloomberg’s Ryan Chilcote reports on “Countdown.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 20, 2014

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/oil-prices-the-winners-and-the-losers-hwDmp9QhTW6ZupqOIht39Q.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Who are the winners and losers while oil prices decline?
  • What is driving prices, according to the report?
  • Where do you see oil prices over the next 12 to 18 months?

Best Buy soars. Take that, Amazon!

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

Description: Best Buy was having a lousy 2014. But it’s no longer Amazon’s showroom. Price matching and excitement about new Apple products have helped the company rebound.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Nov 20, 2014

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/11/20/best-buy-stock-soars.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why has Best Buy stock rebounded in value?
  • What does the report suggest was the key factor that managers of other retailers need to focus on?

Aereo, a live-stream TV startup, files for bankruptcy  

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description: Move comes nearly five months after the Supreme Court ruled against the company in a copyright spat with TV networks.

Source: Forbes.com – video report

Date: Nov 21, 2014

Link: http://fortune.com/2014/11/21/aereo-files-for-bankruptcy/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What lesson have investors learned from this bankruptcy?
  • Do you think the courts will mandate any re-distribution technology to negotiate a payment with copyright holders?

A Dying Mall in Concord, New Hampshire

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

Description: On a crisp Friday evening in late October, Shannon Rich, 33, is standing in a dying American mall. Three customers wander the aisles in a Sears the size of two football fields. The RadioShack is empty. A woman selling smartphone cases watches “Homeland” on a laptop.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: Nov 21, 2014

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-21/a-dying-mall-in-concord-new-hampshire.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why is this mall and others like it dying?
  • Is there a revitalization solution that would bring customers back?
  • What are the financial consequences for investors?
  • Do you think consolidation of assets and reallocation of land use is likely in the near term?