Splunk makes a splash

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

Description:   It’s no Facebook, LinkedIn (LNKD) or Zynga (ZNGA), but data analytics company Splunk (SPLK) is making a big splash on Wall Street. The San Francisco-based software provider officially went public Thursday morning, with a $229.5 million offering priced at $17 a share (well above its expected $11 to $13 range). The stock nearly doubled in value after it began trading, reaching $32.

Source:  Fortune.com

Date: 04/19/2012

Link:  http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/19/splunk/?iid=SF_F_River

Questions for discussion:

  • What do you think of Splunk as an investment?
  • Would you be a buyer?

Want $1 billion? All you need is an app

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

Description:  An app, a dream, and millions of users couldn’t hurt. But as Facebook forks over $1 bln for Instagram, has the app craze gone too far?

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 04/10/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/10/mkts-bz-fb-instagram.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Justify the valuation paid for this acquisition?
  • Does it make financial sense?
  • How can Instagram increase cash flow at Facebook?

Wall Street: Is This a Rally Or a Bump?

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

Description:  On Mean Street, a look at the viability of Wall Street’s Wednesday gains continuing. Also, employers can’t fill open jobs. Plus, paying homage to music legend Bruce Springsteen. Photo: Reuters.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 04/11/2012

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/wall-street-is-this-a-rally-or-a-bump/44703C2D-AD74-4B5C-8C0E-84B0B0DBEAB8

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the main points presented in this report.
  • What is your sense of the analysis and prognostications made?

Cash flow king for small business owners

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning, Management Issues.

Description:   Seventy-six per cent of small business owners believe effective cash-flow management is fundamental to the success of their businesses, with 72 per cent reporting that they currently manage cash flow well, a study released today from the American Express Small Business Monitor reveals.

Source:  GlobeandMail.com

Date: 04/10/2012

Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-tools/small-business-briefing/cash-flow-king-for-small-business-owners/article2396272/

 

Questions for discussion:

  • What does the report have to say to small business managers?
  • Do you agree with these assessmnets?

Best Buy CEO out as shoppers move online

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

Description:   Best Buy Co Chief Executive Brian Dunn has left the world’s largest consumer electronics chain, which has struggled against stepped-up competition from internet retailers and discounters.

Source:  Reuters.com

Date: 04/10/2012

Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/10/bestbuy-idUSL2E8FA3ZK20120410

Questions for discussion:

  • Is there a solution to this shopping trend working against Best Buy?
  • Would a merger or acquisition make sense at this time?
  • What sort of financial strategy is needed in this competitive environment?

Instagram’s Systrom Builds $1 Billion Application in Two Years

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

Description:   Silicon Valley is one of the few places where a 27-year-old Web entrepreneur can parlay a photo-sharing application with no known source of revenue into $1 billion — in two years.

Source:  Bloomberg.com

Date: 04/10/2012

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-10/instagram-s-systrom-builds-1-billion-application-in-two-years.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the background experience of these two entrepreneurs had anything to do with their success this time?
  • What factors contributed to the rapid growth rate?
  • How will Facebook be able to monetize this product?
  • Do you agree with the valuation?

Risk is back on Wall Street!

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  Wall Street is notorious for its short memory. Four new signs that risk has returned to the financial sector may make you wonder if the crisis ever happened.   Source:  Fortune.com

Date: 04/12/2012

Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/12/wall-street-risk/?iid=SF_F_River

Questions for discussion:

  • Summary the highlights presented in this report.
  • Do you agree with these opinions?

Second quarter hurdles ahead

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

Description:  Higher oil prices and an uncertain housing market are just two factors that could challenge corporate profits this quarter.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 04/02/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/03/29/mkts_panel_earnings.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the opinions expressed in this report.
  • Do you agree with any of these views?
  • What is your projection for the next quarter?

Hostess Serves New Batch of Cuts

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

Description:  If negotiations fail, Hostess and its unions will face off in a trial over whether the company can scrap its labor contracts-an example of how wage levels across many once-vibrant industries are falling. Mike Spector reports on Markets Hub. Photo: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 04/02/2012

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/hostess-serves-new-batch-of-cuts/A64EE3DD-0867-4DE5-B20B-F85496993B9A

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the main points presented in this report.
  • How will the deal affect financials?

How Long Will Markets Stay Calm?

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:  Call it the calm after the storm: Markets are now more placid than they’ve been in years. Volatility across a range of assets is now at the lowest level since 2007. The Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index, or VIX (also known as the fear index), which tracks the expected price of buying protection against declines in the S&P 500, is now down almost 70 percent from early August, when it peaked at 48. It hasn’t closed above 15 since March 12.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 04/02/2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-02/how-long-will-markets-stay-calm

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the opinions presented about the level of volatility in markets.
  • Do you agree with the analysis?
  • What is your view of market direction and volatility?