The Megabus Effect

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description:  After decades of decline, the bus is the U.S.’s fastest-growing way to travel, led by curbside service from Megabus, BoltBus, and others.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 04/07/2011

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_16/b4224062391848.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report have to say about the current business models for transportation?
  • What are the competitive advantages for this firm?
  • Why would this model be a threat to others in the transportation business?
  • Why is overhead so significant in this industry?

China data spark chorus of upgrades

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

Description: China stocks could be bright spots in coming weeks and months, according to analysts, who say strong earnings momentum and a potential peaking of inflationary pressures bode well for the outlook.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 04/07/2011
Questions for discussion:
  • Summarize the analysis presented about China?
  • Do you agree with the projections?

Setback in Rosneft Deal Suggests BP Misread Russia

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: For major oil companies these days, geopolitical acumen is as essential as deepwater engineering. Just ask the British oil giant BP.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 04/08/2011

Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/04/08/bp-rosneft-deal-faces-another-setback/?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report have to say about international deals and risks?
  • How can businesses mitigate their risks?

Stiglitz: Tax the rich

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

Description:   The economist says the upper 1% has to be taxed more; they have ‘close to a quarter of all the income and 40% of all the wealth.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 03/31/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/31/n_ss_tax_rich.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

  • What does this report have to say about the current tax system?
  • Do you agree with the analysis and suggestions?
  • How would you change the tax system in order to optimize tax revenues and economic growth simultaneously?

Dow Theory Fans Anxiously Await ‘All Clear’ Signal

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: MarketWatch.com senior columnist Mark Hulbert tells markets editor Laura Mandaro why fans of the Dow theory of market investing are getting excited by a potentially bullish signal.

Source: Moneywatch.com – video report

Date: 04/01/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/dow-theory-fans-anxiously-await-all-clear-signal/954E3637-B6DD-4044-8FD2-14AEECABB362

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the readings and interpretations of the investing theories mentioned in the report. 
  • Which do you think make more sense?
  • How do you think investors will look at the indicators?

Investors buckle up for Mr. Market’s wild ride

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Mutual fund and exchange-traded fund investors embraced U.S. stocks again in the opening weeks of the year — only to be reminded of why they’d fled.

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 04/01/2011

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/investors-buckle-up-for-mr-markets-wild-ride-2011-04-01?pagenumber=1

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report say about the next 12 months of stock market activity?
  • Do you agree with this analysis?
  • Might this information affect investing strategies by institutional investors differently than individuals?

‘Lehman Shock’ Is Kid Stuff Next to Fukushima: William Pesek

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

Description: Of all the tremors being felt in Tokyo, Masaaki Shirakawa is experiencing some of the biggest.

Source:  Bloomberg.com

Date: 03/31/2011

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-31/-lehman-shock-is-kid-stuff-next-to-fukushima-commentary-by-william-pesek.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the analysis presented about Japan?
  • What are the best and worst case financial scenarios, in your opinion?

S&P 500 Posts Longest Winning Streak Since February on Economy

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: U.S. stocks rose, giving the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index its first back-to-back weekly gain since February, as reports showing faster-than-forecast growth in jobs and consumer spending bolstered economic optimism.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 04/02/2011

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-04-02/s-p-500-posts-longest-winning-streak-since-february-on-economy.html

Questions for discussion: 

  • What does this report have to say about the economy and investors’ attitudes?
  • How important do you believe the employment numbers are for indicating economic direction?
  • How do think financial planning and hiring at firms will be influenced by the information presented in this article?

Watchdog: TARP will lose up to $50B

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:   The outgoing Special Inspector General of TARP says that even though most banks are repaying the government, TARP will lose money.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 03/25/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/25/n_velshi_barofsky_sigtarp.cnnmoney/ 

Questions for discussion: 

  • What does this report have to say about the success or failure of TARP?
  • How might businesses that were bailed out be expected to react in the future if the criticisms leveled are true?
  • How might investors be expected to react?

Buying Uranium Stocks On The Dip

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description: The selloff in uranium stocks has prompted Encompass Fund manager Malcolm Gissen to add to his positions, he tells MarketWatch’s Laura Mandaro. Plus, Japan’s quake recovery is likely to slow demand for rare earths, but only temporarily.

Source: Moneywatch.com – video report

Date: 03/22/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/buying-uranium-stocks-on-the-dip/5564E8A7-8C17-4211-AB37-8509564EE85A

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the investing strategies argued by Malcolm Gissen. 
  • Do you agree with his thinking?
  • What do think the nuclear power industry will look like in 25 years from today?
  • As such, how should investors respond?