QE3 and the looming currency war

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:   Commentary: An unstable situation could worsen

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: Aug 29, 2012

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/qe3-and-the-looming-currency-war-2012-08-29-11103146?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for Discussions: 

  • What are the international concerns related to the Fed action to stimulate US economic activity?
  • How would a change in currency values affect commodity markets?

Reduced Estimate for Facebook Revenues

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

Description:  Ad, other revenues at the site will fall short of expectations

Source: eMarketer.com

Date: Aug 31, 2012

Link:  http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009314&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4#LSUMqlXHZEGugLmO.99

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why has eMarketer reduced its forecast of ad revenues?
  • What is the basis for their forecast?
  • What does this say about the risks associated with forecasts, especially for firms like Facebook?
  • How would you expect investors to react to this change in forecast?

Warren Buffett’s simple recipe for success

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

Description: I don’t know how to put this, but … Warren Buffett is awesome, and you and me, we almost certainly are not.

Source: MontrealGazette.com

Date: Aug 27, 2012

Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Warren+Buffett+simple+recipe+success/7152863/story.html#ixzz25E1ueyGx

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this report suggest are the reasons for Buffett’s success?
  • What sort of investor should emulate this strategic thinking?

 

El-Erian: QE3 can’t deliver

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Pimco CEO Mohamed El-Erian discusses fears about Europe, more easing from the Fed and congressional ‘dithering.’

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Aug 23, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/08/23/investing-el-erian-qe3-fiscal-cliff.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the commentary in this report.
  • Do you agree with the assessment by El Erian?

How financial feminists invest $64 million

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

Description: From a Dry Soda company to biodegradable diapers, Golden Seeds is making money by investing in women-led start-ups.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Aug 24, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/08/24/n-golden-seeds.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Is there a fundamental advantage or disadvantage to investing this way?
  • Why might firms run by women have greater financial success?

eBay: The biz to beat in mobile payments

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

Description:   Forget Google Wallet and Square, eBay and its payment unit PayPal are the top dogs in mobile payments … at least for now.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Aug 23, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/08/23/investing-mobile-payments-ebay-google.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What makes eBay so attractive to investors today?
  • Would you be an investor?

Was Facebook a set up for Morgan Stanley?

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

Description:  Did Morgan Stanley’s mutual-fund bet on Facebook Inc.’s initial public offering backfire or was it a set-up that burned investors in those funds?

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: Aug 24, 2012

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/was-facebook-a-set-up-for-morgan-stanley-2012-08-24?link=MW_story_investinginsight

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the arguments presented in the video report?
  • Do you think  it was a set-up?

Weak Sales and a Large Write-Down Give H.P. a Loss

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

Description:  The pressure is building for Meg Whitman to make a miracle happen.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Aug 22, 2012

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/technology/weak-sales-hurt-hp-in-quarter.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the financial condition at HP and the industry in general.
  • What can management do to affect change in a positive direction?
  • Would you be an investor today?

Worst may not be over for Facebook

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

Description: Facebook shares hit a new low Thursday after insiders were given the chance to sell. But the stock still looks overvalued and risky.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Aug 17, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/08/17/investing-bz-facebook.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize commentary in this report about the valuation and forecast for Facebook stock.
  • How would you go about evaluating the stock?
  • How would you deal with the stock today and over the next six months?

Bored traders share merger gossip

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

Description: Rumors of the acquisitions of Electronic Arts and Coinstar by private equity firms helped traders beat the dog days of summer.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Aug 16, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/08/16/investing-bz-EA-Coinstar.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the factors that contributed to the speculation reported in this video?
  • Do you think these reasons are valid?
  • How would you advise investors to deal with this information?