Roubini on Global Economy, Risks Ahead

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Nouriel Roubini, co-founder and chairman of Roubini Global Economics and economics professor at NYU Stern School of Business, foresees risks ahead as the economies of developing nations surge, while the U.S. and the West are stagnating. He talks with WSJ’s Simon Constable.

Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 01/25/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/roubini-on-global-economy-risks-ahead/E83AF703-1580-4666-89FC-F59F18DD06FB

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the opinions made about the current market situation.
  • What investment advice does Nouriel Roubini offer?
  • Do you agree with the sentiments expressed?

George Soros: ‘A new economic reality

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: Financier George Soros says that markets and regulators are imperfect and that U.S. and EU economies need to get used to it.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 01/28/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/28/n_davos_soros.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the views expressed by Mr. Soros?
  • Do you agree with them?
  • How should investors and financial managers respond to his ideas about the future?

Stocks plunge amid Egypt unrest

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: U.S. stocks plunged Friday, with the three major indices logging the worst daily drops in months, as investors grew nervous about political unrest in Egypt.

Source:  CNNMoney.com

Date: 01/28/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/28/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm

Questions for discussion: 

  • How have markets responded to political unrest in Egypt?
  • Is this an opportunity or the beginning of a trend?
  • How should investors respond?

Never Again?

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:   The final judgment of the official inquiry into the 2008 financial crisis — that it was an avoidable disaster, brought about by regulatory neglect and Wall Street recklessness — was an admonition to the government never to let it happen again.

Source:  NYTimes.com
 
Date: 01/29/2011

Link: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/never-again/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the report findings and the reactions to them.
  • Do you believe there is a need for regulatory change and if so, what should it be?

Dow’s Surge to 12,000 Echoes Last Time Market Slumped

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description: nvestors who pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 12,000 for the first time since 2008 this week may be getting ahead of themselves.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 01/28/2011

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-28/dow-s-surge-to-12-000-echoes-last-time-market-slumped.html

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the basic arguments made in the report.
  • Do you agree that the market is ahead of where it belongs?
  • How would you be approaching investing at this time?

BullHorn: Are the clouds parting?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis.

Description: Cloud computing stocks have taken a huge hit but the business is still strong. Can’t say the same about rare metals.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 01/21/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/01/21/mkts_bh_cloud_metals.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:  

  • Summarize the comments made about the changes in share prices for the companies mentioned.
  • Why do you think these shares changed so dramatically?
  • What should investors do now, given these circumstances?
  • What lessons can be learned from this report?

Hub Extra: How Nervous Should Apple Investors Be?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: With many questions unanswered about Steve Jobs’ medical leave of absence, Wall Street Journal ‘ROI’ columnist Brett Arends says the news is ominous for investors.

Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 01/17/2011

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/hub-extra-how-nervous-should-apple-investors-be/BFCF78EB-4250-4572-83E5-62975923A6E3

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the opinions made about the importance of Steve Jobs to the success of Apple.
  • Do you think his absence will cause Apple or Apple share value to suffer?
  • How can management mitigate the perception of loss of Steve Jobs to Apple’s business effort?

Volcker Rule May Work, Even if Vague

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

Description:   Paul A. Volcker is a giant of financial history. He played a behind-the-scenes role when the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1971. He restored credibility to the Federal Reserve and slew inflation a decade later.

Source:  NYTimes.com
 
Date: 01/20/2011

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/business/21norris.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the report and the meaning of the Volker Rule.
  • What impact do you think this regulation will have on the industry?
  • Do you think the regulation is warranted?

SecondMarket trading doubles in private company stock

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators.

Description:  Investors spent $158 million snapping up shares of privately held companies like Facebook on SecondMarket’s platform last quarter — twice the volume the exchange had just one quarter earlier.

Source:  CNNMoney.com

Date: 01/22/2011

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/21/technology/secondmarket_q4/index.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report suggest about the Secondmarket environment and the firms on the list?
  • Would you be a buyer of these companies?
  • What impact do you think this information has on an IPO for these firms?

Prada Said to Decide on IPO by End of Month, Open 90 Stores

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Prada SpA, the Italian fashion company that has scrapped initial public offerings four times in 11 years, may decide to proceed with an IPO by the end of the month, according to two people familiar with the situation.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 01/21/2011

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-21/prada-said-to-decide-on-ipo-by-end-of-month-open-90-stores.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the positive and negative implications for an IPO?
  • What do you believe would motivate the firm to consider an IPO at this time?
  • Do you think the IPO estimated value is fair?
  • How would you evaluate the value of the firm?Â