Description: When PPR, the French owner of Gucci, sold a stake in its African distributor CFAO in August, it didn’t use an investment bank to handle the transaction. Instead, the company turned to an in-house mergers-and-acquisitions team led by a former France Telecom (FTE) M&A executive. “When we can, we do it on our own,” says group managing director Jean-François Palus.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Nov 21, 2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-21/why-some-m-and-a-deals-are-best-done-in-house#r=nav-r-story

Questions for Discussions:

• What is the recent history of M&A?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using in-house management?
• Do you think there might be a general rule that can suggest when it is best to go one way or the other?

Description: Commentary: Austerity would hurt but it wouldn’t be sudden

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: Nov 14, 2012

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/stop-calling-it-a-fiscal-cliff-2012-11-14?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for Discussions:

• Summarize the key changes that will take place if no changes are made to current law.
• Do you agree with the assessment presented by the commentator in this report?
• How do you think markets will be affected as we approach the deadline?