Police Chief’s $204,000 Pension Shows How Cities Crashed

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

Description:  Stockton, California, Police Chief Tom Morris was supposed to bring stability to law enforcement when he was appointed to the job four years ago. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: July 31, 2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-01/police-chief-s-204-000-pension-shows-how-cities-crashed.html Questions for Discussions: Explain the crisis facing these cities in terms of financial mismanagement of budgets and cash flow estimations? Is there… Read more »

Bank bailout failed homeowners

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

Description: Former TARP Inspector General Neil Barofsky says the program failed to protect Main Street from Wall Street. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: July 25, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/07/25/n-Barofsky-TARP.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize commentary in this report about the failure to manage TARP. Do you believe the criticism is fair? What are the economic prospects… Read more »

Ireland Bulldozes Ghost Estate In Life After Real Estate Bubble

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial Planning, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues, Market Analysis.

Description:  Ireland is opting for bulldozers rather than bankers as it starts to clear the legacy of the housing boom whose collapse brought the economy to its knees. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: July 19, 2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-19/ireland-bulldozes-ghost-estate-in-life-after-real-estate-bubble.html Questions for Discussions: How did over-supply undermine the real estate market? Who is to blame for this fiasco? How… Read more »

U.S. Automakers Cut Retirees Loose

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Industry Analysis.

Description: General Motors (GM) is offering retiree Rick Knoth a check for more than a half-million dollars and he’s still unhappy. Yes, Knoth plans to take GM’s huge buyout of his retirement benefits, but says he may never buy another car from the company where he worked for 37 years. “During my career I was… Read more »

Nokia: Are the Finnish finished?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Ignore the takeover rumors, ailing cell phone maker Nokia won’t be acquired anytime soon. In fact, now is probably the time to bail. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/06/14/investing-bz-nokia.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Summarize the analysis and recommendations presented by the reporter. Do you agree? What would you advise Nokia… Read more »

Kodak Bankruptcy May Bet on Printing

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

Description:  As Eastman Kodak Co. (EK) investors bet the 131-year-old photographic pioneer was headed for bankruptcy, the company decided Chapter 11 was the simplest way to become the leaner digital printing specialist it aspires to be. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/20/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-19/kodak-bankruptcy-may-shed-photography-bet-on-digital-printing.html Questions for discussion: Do you think the bankruptcy and sale of assets will… Read more »

Kodak Weighs Options to Clear Path for Sale

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis.

Description: Eastman Kodak Co. (EK), the unprofitable 131-year-old camera maker, is weighing options including a bankruptcy filing because of concerns raised by possible buyers of its patent portfolio, said three people with direct knowledge of the process. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/01/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-30/kodak-said-to-weigh-bankruptcy-filing.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of this report. What would you… Read more »

Borders Nearing Bankruptcy Filing

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis.

Description: Borders Group Inc. is in the final stages of preparing a bankruptcy filing after failing to persuade publishers and others to go along with a plan to refinance the troubled bookstore chain’s debt. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/12/2011 Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704329104576138353865644420.html?mod=MKTW Questions for discussion:  What is Borders’ value today? Make the case for a merger with another firm as… Read more »

Government reportedly setting plan to sell Citi shares

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

Description:  The U.S. government is setting up a program to sell its 27% stake in Citigroup Inc. and the plan could be announced next month, according to a report Thursday, citing unidentified people with direct knowledge of the matter. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 03/25/2010  Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/treasury-reportedly-sets-plan-to-sell-citi-shares-2010-03-25?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Would you be a buyer of… Read more »