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

Description:  With firms like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley reporting weak results for last year, Wall Street is having to confront doubts about itself.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 01/19/2012

Link:  http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/the-new-normal-on-wall-st-smaller-and-restrained/?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the key points presented in the report.
  • Do you agree with these assessments?
  • Is this a good or bad scenario, in your opinion?

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

Description:  As Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) investors bet the 131-year-old photographic pioneer was headed for bankruptcy, the company decided Chapter 11 was the simplest way to become the leaner digital printing specialist it aspires to be.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: 01/20/2012

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-19/kodak-bankruptcy-may-shed-photography-bet-on-digital-printing.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the bankruptcy and sale of assets will work?
  • What financial planning problems do you foresee as the company possibly moves to these new products?

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

Description:  Virgin Group’s Sir Richard Branson on his new foray into the banking business with takeover of the ill-fated British bank,Northern Rock.
http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/01/10/n_branson_virgin_money.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:  

  • Do you think this bank will be managed differently because of the connection to Branson and the Virgin brand?
  • Do you think this bank will perform any differently – financially speaking?

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

Description:    Hostess Brands, known for sweet treats like Twinkies and Ding Dongs, is back in Chapter 11.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 01/11/2012

Link:  http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/11/hostess-files-for-bankruptcy/?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Why do you think the firm is in financial difficulty again?
  • What is the financial condition of the firm?
  • What would you advise management do today?

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

Description: There’s a simple explanation for why the world’s zombie banks remain so reluctant to write off worthless assets and tap the equity markets for fresh capital. They don’t want to end up like UniCredit SpA. (UCG)

Source:  Bloomberg.com

Date: 01/11/2012

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-12/financial-frankness-is-a-bad-dream-for-a-bank-commentary-by-jonathan-weil.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the explanation for not writing off bad loans, according to this report?
  • What could be the consequences of maintaining the status quo?

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

Description:  It has been more than three years since then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson fired his famous metaphorical bazooka and the federal government seized control of mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Source: Fortune.com
 
Date: 01/11/2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/11/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_River

Questions for discussion: 

  • According to the report, what are the reasons for ongoing problems at these agencies?
  • What are the recommendations to resolve these issues?
  • Do you agree with this line of thinking?
  • Do you think they are feasible – given the players involved?

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

Description:  Now that it’s become a campaign issue, it’s worth asking: Is private equity good for America?

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 01/11/2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/private-equity-hero-or-villain-01112012.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the key points presented in the report.
  • Do you agree with these assessments?

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

Description: Blackrock’s Chief Equity Strategist Bob Doll discusses the Europe debt crisis, U.S. corporate earnings and the social unrest.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 01/06/2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/01/05/mkts_ss_blackrock_doll_2012.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the arguments presented by Bob Doll concerning the global economy.
  • Do you agree that with his assessments?
  • How would you approach investing today?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:  AT the turn of the last century, it was widely accepted that American stocks were virtually certain to be good long-term investments. Now, far fewer people are confident of that.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 01/06/2012

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/07/business/economy/a-historical-cycle-bodes-ill-for-the-markets.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the model presented in this report.
  • Do you agree with the analysis presented in this report?
  • What would you advise investors do today?

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: BOSTON (MarketWatch) — As investment strategies go, it’s pretty simple one. Even better, it’s one that will improve, according to the authors of a newly published paper, the risk-adjusted return of your portfolio without much fuss.

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 01/05/2012

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/not-buy-and-hold-but-buy-and-sell-rarely-2012-01-05?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the strategy described in this report.
  • Do you think it makes sense in general or for a particular sort of investor?