Description: When countries post a 40% youth unemployment rate, you know something is terribly wrong. The last time developed countries experienced such an employment disaster was during the Great Depression, and it is a moot question as to whether the current period will prove to be worse for the southern European countries than the Great… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Bonds
Jay Bryan: Investing risk hides where you least expect
Description: Bonds riskier than stocks? Surely that’s crazy talk. It turns upside-down what seems to be a fundamental rule of investing. Source: MontrealGazette.com Date: 02/11/2012 Link: http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/Bryan+Investing+risk+hides+where+least+expect/6147612/story.html#ixzz1meczIACn Questions for discussion: What are the key points made in this report? Do you agree with the assessments presented?
At Credit Suisse, Toxic Bonuses Turn into Gold
Description:Â At the depths of the financial crisis, senior bankers at Credit Suisse Group (CS) received $5.05 billion of junk-grade loans and commercial-mortgage-backed bonds as part of their annual bonuses. Those assets, considered long-shot investments when they were transferred to an internal employee fund in late 2008, offered the Swiss investment bank a way to… Read more »
Bankers at Davos Humbler as Austerity Hits
Description: Leaders of the world’s biggest banks touted the virtues of austerity at the World Economic Forum in Davos — for themselves, not just for over-indebted governments. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/26/2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-26/incredible-shrinking-bankers-at-davos-humbler-as-austerity-hits.html Questions for discussion: According to the report, what are the key messages being sent to the banking industry? How do you think… Read more »
Can anyone save Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?
Description: It has been more than three years since then Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson fired his famous metaphorical bazooka and the federal government seized control of mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 01/11/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2012/01/11/news/economy/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_River Questions for discussion: According to the report, what are the reasons for ongoing problems at… Read more »
Here comes the big profit lie
Description:Â Wall Street expects corporate miracles in 2012, and that means trouble. Source: Fortune.com Date: 01/06/2012 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2012/01/06/profit-expectations-unrealistic/?iid=SF_F_LN Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in this critique of Wall Street. Do you agree with this assessment? Is there anything to be done by regulators?
10 worst business predictions of 2011
Description: From a muni meltdown to a recovery in bank stocks to a Yahoo turnaround, we were told a bunch of things would happen this year that didn’t even come close. Source: Fortune.com  Date: 12/30/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/news/economy/1112/gallery.worst-predictions-2011.fortune/index.html Questions for discussion: Which prediction seems particularly weak, given 20-20 hindsight today? What does this report suggest… Read more »
Investing after the Arab Spring: Unfinished business
Description:Â The ongoing revolutions across the Middle East would seem to be good news for markets. But so far they’ve scared most foreign investors away. Source: Fortune.com Date: 12/13/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/13/investing-middle-east-north-africa/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions expressed in this report? What would your advice be to investors at this time?
Is the Global Economy Doomed?
Description: Economist and author Peter Schiff stops by Mean Street to discuss events in Europe and the global economy. (Photo: Reuters) Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 12/08/2011 Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented in this report. Do you agree with the opinions presented? What would you advise investors do today?
Stocks End Flat Friday but Surge for the Week
Description: Stocks finished a strong week with a flat session Friday after the U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped and European leaders and central bankers redoubled efforts to tackle the sovereign-debt crisis. Paul Vigna has details on The News Hub. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 12/02/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/stocks-end-flat-friday-but-surge-for-the-week/5503108F-20B2-4D00-982F-852ADFC4B811 Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented… Read more »
