Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Emerging markets have been caught in the global contagion sparked by the European debt crisis. But these economies still have something most others don’t: Growth in local demand for goods and services.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: 09/23/2011

Link:   http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/23/emerging-markets/?iid=SF_F_River

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the critical points made in the article.
  • Do you agree with the analysis?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description:   Shares of BlackBerry-maker RIM sag as disappointing smartphone and tablet sales have investors wondering if the company will ever return to its glory days.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 09/16/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/09/16/mkts_am_rim.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the financial results for RIM and the explanation for the drop in share value on the stock market.
  • Do you think this presents an opportunity for investors to buy or an indication that the stock is poised to fall even further?
  • How should investors be expected to react to the recent news about the firm?

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

Description:   Pulitzer Prize-winning author Dan Yergin says the global supply of oil and gas has risen in the last 20 years, defying the predictions of “peak oil” theorists. In the Big Interview with WSJ’s David Wessel, he looks at the world’s energy future.

Source: Moneywatch.com – video report

Date: 09/17/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/yergin-on-energy-20/75F18B14-7BD4-45F5-A3E1-1CF6B4E28B1A

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the highlights presented in this report.
  • Do you agree with the assessment?
  • What would you advise investors and firms to do at this time?

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Financial Planning.

Description:  Should you take out a new mortgage — or home equity line of credit — and spend the money buying stocks?

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 09/14/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/can-stocks-pay-your-mortgage-2011-09-14?pagenumber=1

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the logic of the investing strategy presented in this report.
  • What are the risks and advantages for an individual?
  • Would you advise this strategy to an investor?
  • How would a bump up in interest rates likely affect investors’ portfolios who had undertaken this strategy?

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

Description: Treasuries dropped, pushing 10-year note yields up the most in more than two months, after the European Central Bank coordinated with the Federal Reserve and other central banks to maintain liquidity for the euro area’s financial institutions.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 09/17/2011

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-17/treasury-10-year-yields-rise-most-since-july-on-european-outlook.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the financial news reported.
  • What is the significance of these developments for the economy?
  • How can businesses be expected to react?
  • How can investors be expected to react?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description: What started as a sovereign debt crisis in Europe is slowly turning into a potentially disastrous banking crisis. It’s like watching a bad rerun of a movie with a worse ending.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: 09/16/2011

Link:   http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/16/european-banking-crisis/?iid=SF_F_Lead

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the critical points made in the article.
  • How do you think this crisis will eventually be resolved?
  • What should investors and businesses do in the meantime to deal with the situation?

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

Description:   Manpower CEO Jeff Joerres says there are positive aspects to Obama?s jobs plan but do not expect it to significantly boost jobs.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 09/09/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/09/09/n_manpower_obama_jobs.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the analysis of the economic plan presented by President Obama this week?
  • Do agree with this assessment?
  • What would you advise the government authorities to do to help stabilize the economy and prevent recession?
  • Is there a special economic leadership role for `big business` at this time?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:  Markets fall as worry over the sovereign debt issue continue to roil Europe and reaction after Obama;s speech indicate consumers expectations in politicians ability to fix problems is waning. Paul Vigna discusses the market movers of the day with Paul Vigna and Jonathan Cheng.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 09/09/2011

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/dow-moves-lower/622C21B5-33B4-41FA-ABE6-89764A3F4632

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the key points presented in this report that explain recent movements in the market?
  • Do you believe the bull run is about to end?

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

Description:  NBC pays millions to broadcast one of the most mediocre teams in football

Source:  Businessweek.com

Date: 09/08/2011

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/notre-dame-the-fleecing-irish-09082011.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report suggest about the issues surrounding evaluating college football broadcast rights?
  • How would you go about calculating the value of a contract?
  • What recommendations would you make to NBC and to colleges?

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

Description: With CEO Bartz gone, the board weighs sales of assets in Asia

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 09/08/2011

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/yahoos-revolving-door-spins-again-09072011.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Describe the financial issues facing Yahoo!.
  • Do you think Yahoo management erred by declining the merger offer with Microsoft?
  • Would a merger or acquisition help solve some of the firm’s problems?
  • If so, which firm would you suggest Yahoo consider a deal with?
  • How would you go about evaluating a deal between them?