GE raises dividend, expects to resume share buybacks

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: General Electric Co. raised its dividend and re-started a $15 billion share-buyback program Friday as the conglomerate cited progress in its effort to recover from the financial crisis.

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 07/23/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-raises-dividend-to-resume-share-buybacks-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the financial changes at GE?
  • Do you think management’s decisions are wise or would you advise doing something else?
  • Would you expect this news to influence the general stock market?
  • If so, explain how and why you would expect the market to respond.

Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly

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

Description: Thursday’s $100 million settlement between Dell and the Securities and Exchange Commission was a reminder that the government is going after tech’s bad boys — and Intel is likely next on the feds’ list.

Source:  CNNMoney.com

Date: 07/23/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/23/technology/dell_intel/index.htm
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons for SEC actions against these firms?
  • How would you expect investors to react to this news?
  • Are the punishments appropriate?

Amazon shares fall after earnings disappoint

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Online retail giant ramps up investments, sees continued spending

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 07/23/2010

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-falls-after-earnings-disappoint-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the financial conditions at Amazon?
  • Would you be concerned as an investor or as a financial manager in the firm?
  • What would you advise management?

Even With All Its Profits, Microsoft Has a Popularity Problem

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis.

Description:  MEASURED by profits, Microsoft trounces Apple and Google. In the most recent three months, Microsoft earned $4.52 billion, versus Apple’s $3.25 billion and Google’s $1.8 billion. But, dear investors, where is the love for this beaten-down company?

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 07/24/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/business/25digi.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons given for Microsoft’s poor image in many investors’ minds.
  • Do you agree with this view?
  • What are your forecasts for Microsoft?
  • What advice would you pass along to management to improve prospects?

AM Report: The Fed Gains Power, Responsibility

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description:  With financial reform clearing Congress, the Fed has emerged as perhaps the pre-eminent financial regulator, but that could only bring it added blame if things go wrong again. Jon Hilsenrath, Evan Newmark and Kelly Evans discuss. Also, Jennifer Valentino-DeVries discusses Apple’s options ahead of its anticipated press conference on the troubled iPhone-4.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 07/16/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/am-report-the-fed-gains-power-responsibility/17AB5EE7-200C-4E92-B31F-DBA5955728BA

Questions for discussion: 

  • What do you think about the financial reforms legislation that was passed?
  • Do you agree with the comment related to the greater focus on the Federal Reserve as the responsible authority for financial crises in the future?
  • How different will that responsibility be in comparison to the past?
  • Has investor confidence been increased with this legislation?
  • As for the story on Apple, do you think the drop in share value is warranted?
  • Do you think the problem has significantly affected Apple’s cash flow?

News Hub: The Playboy Takeover Tussle

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description:  Playboy is facing a lively takeover battle, which promises to get more and more interesting. Jon Friedman discusses why he believes the focus on Playboy underscores the fact that fabled but scorned “old-media” brands still have a lot of value.

 

Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 07/16/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-the-playboy-takeover-tussle/B951E43C-8270-4A5E-8A61-1E67BCB7F91C

Questions for discussion:

  • From a M&A point of view, how would you go about evaluating the value of Playboy magazine?
  • What value would you give to Playboy shares and explain your thinking?
  • Do you agree with the analyst that suggests this is a “media play” with no brand value left?

Intel quarter signals healthy market, but skeptics remain

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Intel Corp.’s unexpectedly robust second quarter sent ripples of optimism throughout a tech sector battered by warnings of weakening demand in a still-fragile global economy.

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 07/14/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/intel-boosts-sentiment-in-battered-tech-sector-2010-07-14?siteid=nwtwk
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons for believing the results from Intel are promising for the economy in general?
  • Why are there sceptics?
  • What is your view about the meaning of the financial data reported and the implications for the overall economy?

Dodd-Frank: What It Means for Comp and Governance

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

Description: Most companies will feel the impact of the law’s “say on pay” provisions first. After that, they’ll have to wait for SEC clarification.

Source: Businessweek.com
 
Date: 07/16/2010

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jul2010/ca20100716_567635.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the impact this legislation is expected to have?
  • Do you think it will prove to be a positive influence on management?

After Goldman’s Concession, Regulators May Be Satisfied

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description:  First, Goldman Sachs. Now — what?

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 07/16/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/business/17legal.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think Goldman Sacs received fair treatment from regulatory bodies?
  • How do you interpret the meaning of the fine?
  • How do you think the fine and overall experience will affect practices by firms like Goldman Sachs?

News Hub: Are Stocks Finally Cheap

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  Paul Vigna discusses sentiment that says the market is cheap relative to fundamentals like earnings and feelings that the outlook is still too risky.

Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report
 
Date: 07/06/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/news-hub-are-stocks-finally-cheap/5332ACC8-5C89-4293-97C0-4001EDB3C307

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the major points presented in this reports.
  • Do you think stocks are ‘cheap’?
  • What would you advise investors to do today?