Did you know Cuba has two currencies?

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: The system of duel currency creates two levels of wage earners in Cuba. The government announced that they want to end the practice and create a currency that is more valuable.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Oct 31, 2013

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/10/31/n-cuba-dual-currency-reform.cnnmoney/index.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain how Cuba’s economy functions with two currencies?
  • Why do neither currency have any exchange value outside Cuba?
  • Why do you suppose the government introduced the “tourist-currency” in the first place?
  • Why do you think they are now moving to only one currency for the country?

What’s driving the oil trade?

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

Description: – On today’s “Futures In Focus,” Big Brokerage President Jeffrey Grossman discusses oil and energy on Bloomberg Television’s “In The Loop.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 1, 2013

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/what-s-driving-the-oil-trade-s2O5hjOGS4apwoWmYDmX_Q.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the reasons for a predicted drop in oil prices?
  • Do you agree with this assessment?
  • How should investors play the short term?

How to invest when you feel really good

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas looks at how to play rising investor confidence with ETFs. He speaks with Adam Johnson on Bloomberg Television’s “Street Smart.” Cantor Fitzgerald’s Peter Cecchini also comments. (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 01, 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/HtiS5D#ooid=xxeHNuZzq6yrqSmVDyle3l6TeLCdpGyo

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the strategies suggested and their relationship with confidence levels.
  • How much risk is involved in this approach?

Wells Fargo now most profitable bank in U.S.

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

Description: In another sign of the huge changes within the banking business since the financial crisis, Wells Fargo (WFC) is on pace to make more money this year than any other bank in the U.S.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: Nov 01, 2013

Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2013/11/01/wells-fargo/?iid=SF_F_River

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain the reasons for the success of the firm.
  • What are your forecasts for the firm over the next year?

5 signs the stock market is in a bubble

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

Description: (MoneyWatch) U.S. stock markets have had a good year so far, but has it been too good?

Source: CBSNews.com

Date: Oct 31, 2013

Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-57610208/5-signs-the-stock-market-is-in-a-bubble/?tag=nl.e713&s_cid=e713&ttag=e713&ftag=TRE4cf7aca

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the indicators that suggest the stock market is due for a drop in value?
  • Do you agree with the analysis presented?

Is peer-to-peer lending online the future?

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

Description: Lending Club Founder and CEO Renaud Laplanche is disrupting traditional banking by getting investors to lend directly to consumers online.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Oct 25, 2013

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/10/25/investing-lending-club-peer-to-peer-loans-banking.cnnmoney/index.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Describe the business model presented in this report.
  • What are the pros and cons to the regular banking system?
  • Do you think this sort of business will appeal to investors?

Microsoft is a better investment that Amazon: Blair

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

Description: Wedge Partners’ Brian Blair comments on today’s earnings reports from Microsoft and Amazon. He speaks with Jon Erlichman on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg West.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Oct 24, 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/1cgtSB9

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the reasons for Microsoft bullishness according to Brian Blair.
  • Do you agree?
  • Explain why Amazon’s financials don’t seem to bother investors?

Callaway Golf swings closer to profits

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

Description: Chip Brewer, president and chief executive officer at Callaway Golf recaps third-quarter results and what the company is doing to grow sales and develop new products. He speaks on Bloomberg Television’s “In The Loop.”

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Oct 24, 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/1chkmh6

Questions for Discussions:

  • How has Callaway product development contributed to the financial improvement of the company?
  • How does Callaway handle inventories in order to improve cash flow?
  • Would you be a buyer of Callaway stock today?

An Intriguing Product That’s Too Complex for Many

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

Description: The sales pitches go something like this: A mutual fund that promises to zig when the rest of the stock market zags. Bond funds that protect investors when interest rates rise. Access to the most sophisticated hedge fund managers in the country, even if you’re not particularly wealthy.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Oct 25, 2013

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/your-money/an-intriguing-product-thats-too-complex-for-many.html?ref=business

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are alternative funds?
  • Are they good choices for investors?
  • Why are they becoming more popular?
  • Do you think they will succeed in the long run?

Is JPMorgan Getting a Bad Deal?

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

Description: In resolve a handful of state and federal investigations, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) has tentatively agreed to pay $13 billion—more, as my colleague Nick Summers points out, “than the combined salaries of every athlete in every major U.S. professional sport, with enough left over to buy every American a stadium hot dog.” Thirteen billion is also equal to 61 percent of the bank’s profit for 2012, so it’s a significant sum. But does that make it a “shakedown,” as some have suggested?

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Oct 25, 2013

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-10-25/is-the-jpmorgan-settlement-a-shakedown

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the arguments concerning the judgment and its fairness.
  • Do you believe JPMorgan is getting a bad deal?