Description: To save Chrysler Group LLC, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne has to create a mid-size sedan that can compete with the world’s best. It’s a three- to five-year job, and he may have two years to do it.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: 9/14/2009

Keys: Management, investing, marketing

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=awHymjXNOYdI

Questions for discussion:

• Summarize the strategies that are supposed to fix Chrysler?
•  Do you think they will be successful? Explain your answer.
• Do you think the cash plans are sufficient or will Fiat eventually invest cash into Chrysler?

Description:  Gold is over $1,000. Our editor at large debates with readers of ‘The Buzz’ whether it’s still a good investment.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 9/08/2009

Keys: Economy, stock market, investing

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/09/08/n_buzz_gold_1000_investment.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Summarize the reasons offered for gold price changes?
• What do you think will happen to the price of gold over the next few years? Explain your thinking.
• Would a purchase of gold mining shares be wiser than gold bullion? Explain your answer.

Description:  Executives, policy makers & educators at Emory’s School of Business opine on the state of the recovery in a NYSE panel.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 9/04/2009

Keys: Economy, consumer spending

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/09/04/n_emory_fed_home_depot.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Summarize the comments made about the state of the economy.
• What is your own view of the state of the economy?
• Which corporate finances are likely to improve over the next quarter and which will likely remain strained? Explain your thinking.
• What are some consumer products that have changed from “expense items” to“investments” and visa versa?
• What are some business products that have changed from “expense items” to“investments” and visa versa?

Description:   Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co Ltd (4506.T) agreed on Thursday to buy U.S. drugmaker Sepracor Inc (SEPR.O) for $2.6 billion, giving the Japanese firm a big, local sales force in the world’s largest drugs market. The deal is the latest in a string of overseas acquisitions by Japanese drugmakers keen to grow outside a mature home market and build product pipelines before key drug patents expire.

Source: Bloomberg. com

Date: 9/03/2009

Keys: Mergers and acquisitions

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/americasMergersNews/idUST4245420090903

Questions for discussion:

• What are some of the main reasons –financial and otherwise, this deal makes sense for both sides?
• Are there any downsides to this deal for anyone?
• How else can these firms grow? Explain your answer.

Former US Comptroller David Walker says the cost of health care reform will increase the long-term deficit.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 8/26/2009

Keys: Economy, taxes, business expenses, HR

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/08/26/n_walker_deficit.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Summarize the comments made about the state of the economy and taxation.
• How might a national health tax and government run insurance plan that removes individual organizations from direct responsibility for employee insured programs be considered financially good for organizational finances?
• How would a universal health program affect those corporations directly involved in the health care field such as pharmaceutical, insurance, hospital, and hospital supply firms?