A Revolutionary Marketing Strategy: Answer Customers’ Questions

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Management Issues.

Description:   It is an indelible image of the financial crisis: a bird’s-eye view of the backyards of foreclosed houses, their in-ground pools festering with algae and mosquitoes. In Northern Virginia, Marcus Sheridan was in the financial storm.

Source:  NYTimes.com

Date: Feb 27, 2013

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/business/smallbusiness/increasing-sales-by-answering-customers-questions.html?ref=smallbusiness

Questions for Discussions:

  • How should financial managers structure budgeting for this marketing activity in order to be able to track costs and measure ROI?
  • How different is the task of monitoring this sort of activity in comparison to other costs?

 

Focus on Funds: Gold Tanks

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

Description:  Jack Otter and Brendan Conway on why the price of gold has been falling, and what triggered the most recent selloff.

Source: WSJ.com – video report

Date: Feb 21, 2013

Link: http://on.wsj.com/15yzEYz

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this report suggest is happening to gold markets?
  • Do you agree with the analysis presented?
  • What does this report suggest for stock market behavior?

Gold’s lustre will fade: CIBC

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

Description:  Gold has had a “glorious run,” but the factors that propelled the price of the precious metal to record highs are fading, economists at CIBC World Markets said.

Source: BNN.ca – video report

Date: Feb 21, 2013

Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/2/21/Golds-lustre-will-fade-CIBC-.aspx

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain the reasons presented in this report for the rise in gold prices and projected decline in the near future.
  • Do you agree with this analysis?
  • Would you be selling gold at this time?

For silver, being cheap is a good thing

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

Description: After a nearly 9% dive in silver prices this month, investors should be able to breathe a sigh of relief as growth in industrial and investment demand gains pace, and calls of “oversold” conditions and “bargain” prices for the precious metal intensify.

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: Feb 22, 2013

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/for-silver-being-cheap-is-a-good-thing-2013-02-22?dist=beforebell

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain the recent price movements of silver, according to the report.
  • How should investors deal with the current situation?

In Dell’s Waning Cash Flows, Signs of Concern

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

Description:   The proposed Dell buyout may be motivated more by fear than greed.

Source:  NYTimes.com

Date: Feb 22, 2013

Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/in-dells-waning-cash-flows-signs-of-concern/?ref=business

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the possible scenarios for Dell investors?
  • Do you believe Dell management is facing a financial crisis?
  • What do you think management will try to do with Dell as a private company?

 

Apple Stock Is Still a ‘Strong Buy’—Here’s Why: Pro

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

Description:  Investors have been taking money out of Apple and putting it in other big technology names like Google but Scott Kessler, head of technology equity research at S&P Capital IQ, said he still thinks Apple is a “strong buy.”

Source:  CNBC.com – video report

Date: Feb 20, 2013

Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100475933

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the financial perfomances of Apple and Google and reasons presented in this report.
  • Would you be a buyer of either of these stocks?

 

Bridgewater Bets World Stocks Get Lift on Cash

Posted by & filed under Management Issues, Market Analysis.

Description:  Bridgewater Associates the $140 billion hedge fund founded by Ray Dalio, is betting on global stocks and oil as it expects money to move into equities and other assets amid increased economic confidence. Kelly Bit reports on Bloomberg Television’s “Money Moves.”(Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Feb 12, 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/14QzkTG#ooid=ZyaDRiOTrQkZ2F0tIDdotR2k3Xkn6-DW

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the Bridgewater forecast and the reasons for them.
  • Do you agree with this view?
  • How would you advise investors at this time?

 

Apple Stock Is Cheapest Since 2000

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

Description:  The cheapest Apple shares in 12 years are encouraging some of the world’s biggest investors to bet that the stock will rebound. Dominic Chu reports on Bloomberg Television’s “Money Moves.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Businessweek.com – video report

Date: Feb , 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/VayAbL#ooid=91bjJjOTqtrMIZDerM5zogc2h9NE6HrY

 

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is the basis for arguing that Apple stock price is cheap today?
  • Do you agree with this assessment?
  • Would you be a buyer today?

 

Facebook Gets a Multibillion-Dollar Tax Break

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

Description: It hasn’t drawn much attention, but Facebook’s first annual earnings report contains an accounting gem: a multibillion-dollar tax deduction for the cost of executive stock options and share awards.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Feb 14, 2013

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-15/facebook-gets-a-multi-billion-dollar-tax-break#r=hp-lst

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why is the tax treatment of stock options a controversial issue?
  • In your opinion, is it a fair way to treat taxpaypers, executives, and businesses?

 

U.S. Homeowners Are Repeating Their Mistakes

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  If there’s one thing Americans should have learned from the recession, it’s the importance of diversifying risk. Middle-class households had too much of their net worth tied up in their homes and were too exposed to stocks through 401(k)s and other investments.

Source:  Businessweek.com

Date: Feb 14, 2013

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-14/u-dot-s-dot-homeowners-are-repeating-their-mistakes#r=hp-lst

Questions for Discussions:

  • What explains the middle-class investor’s lack of risk diversification?
  • How can this problem be solved via financial products, services, and changes by government?
  • What does this report suggest for middle class future investment in stocks and housing?