Is Tiger Woods running out of money?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: With only a few endorsement deals left, a recent divorce settlement, a hefty house mortgage, and even a pay cut from Nike, Tiger Woods’ lifestyle is looking a lot less glamorous.

Source: Fortune.com
 
Date: 07/015/2011

Link:  http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/15/is-tiger-woods-running-out-of-money/

Questions for discussion:

  • Describe the “Tiger Woods” business model. 
  • Is the title of this article misleading, given the numbers presented?
  • How could Tiger Woods improve revenue generation and cash flow (besides winning more tournaments)?
  • Do you think he can make a comeback?

Is the euro a better bet than the dollar?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:   A commitment to reform in Europe could mean the euro is a better value than the greenback, according to currency fund manager Axel Merk.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 07/08/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/07/07/mkts_buzz_euro_dollar.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the views presented.
  • Do you agree with the analysis?
  • How would you advise investors to deal with current conditions?

AM Report: Higher Jobless Rate May Thwart Recovery

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

Description: The News Hub covers the nation’s unemployment rate, that ticked up to 9.2% in June. The rise in jobless figures, coupled with only 18,000 non-farm payrolls created, has some calling into question the prospects for economic recovery.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 07/08/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/am-report-higher-jobless-rate-may-thwart-recovery/DDDB1206-F400-4733-8ECE-800C734ED4F0

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the economic consequences of the jobs reports?
  • How do you think the Fed will respond?
  • What should investors do at this time?
  • What should businesses do?

The Boom and Crash Cycle of I.P.O.’s

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

Description: THE global market for initial public offerings of stock, which was hot in late 2010, has cooled.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 07/08/2011

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/business/the-boom-and-crash-cycle-of-ipos.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion: 

  • Do you agree with the analysis presented?
  • What would kick-start activity again?
  • Do you believe these conditions will return shortly?

The Housing Horror Show Is Worse Than You Think

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

Description: Despite some upbeat news, key housing market statistics point to years of stagnation

Source:  Bloomberg.com

Date: 07/07/2011

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-housing-horror-show-is-worse-than-you-think-07072011.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the implications of this report for home owners, home builders, and investors?
  • What would you advise each of these groups in today’s market?

Sniping at Charges for Swiping Debt Cards

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

Description: Both merchants and banks balk at a Federal Reserve compromise on fees that businesses pay financial institutions

Source: Businessweek.com
 
Date: 07/07/2011

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/sniping-at-charges-for-swiping-debt-cards-07072011.html

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the key points made in the report.
  • Do you agree or disagree with the decision?
  • Who should set price for these services?
  • What are the consequences for the economy, small businesses and consumers?

BlackBerry maker’s struggles

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

Description: Shares of BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion are down 50% from the start of the year, largely due to disappointing smartphone and tablet sales.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 07/01/2011

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons for the demise of company’s share value.
  • Given that the product sells well outside of North America, what would you recommend that management do in the short run to help with cash flow problems?
  • What should management do in the long run in order to compete in the North American market?

Greece Sells Assets to Whittle Down Debt

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

Description: To help get out of its debt crisis, the Greek government has come up with a way to raise some cash: Sell off everything from planes and trains to huge parcels of land along the Greek coastline. WSJ’s Charles Forelle reports from Athens.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 06/27/2011

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/greece-sells-assets-to-whittle-down-debt/373566C2-7323-4E8A-8797-36858953526A

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the scenario described for how Greece accumulated unmanageable debts and how it might extricate itself.
  • How are the financial planning issues similar and different for a country in comparison to that of a company?
  • How might politicians handle these issues differently than a manager of a company?
  • What would your advice be to Greece?

As Net Stocks Sizzle, Zynga Aims High for Its I.P.O.

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

Description: With a real-world profit and an inexhaustible supply of virtual cows, Zynga on Friday filed for what is expected to be one of the biggest Internet stock offerings ever, a debut whose fate is tied largely to that of Facebook’s.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 06/01/2011

Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/07/01/zynga-files-for-1-billion-i-p-o/?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the business model for these online companies and Zynga in particular?
  • Do you believe the IPO values mentioned are realistic?
  • Would you be a buyer of any of the firms mentioned in the article?

The real story behind the market ‘boom’

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: A new report from TrimTabs, the investment analysts, has blown the whistle on what really went on behind the stock-market “boom” we saw in the first quarter, when the S&P 500 Index rose more than 5%.

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: 06/29/2011

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-real-story-behind-the-market-boom-2011-06-29?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the implications for this strategy to boost share-prices?
  • Is there anything unethical about the maneuver?
  • Should investor be wary of the stocks or bonds of these firms?