Slowing sales put out Chipotle’s fuego

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:   Chipotle is still growing rapidly, but investors were disappointed that revenues missed lofty forecasts. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report com Date: July 20, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/07/20/investing-bz-Chipotle.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financials for the company. Why has the stock fallen so much? Would you be a buyer or seller at this time?

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 »

How to crack Wall Street’s earnings code

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Description: 7 terms to listen for when CEOs and CFOs talk business Source: Marketwatch.com Date: July 06, 2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-crack-wall-streets-earnings-code-2012-07-06 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the code-speak. Do you think anyone misses what is really happening? Why would managers choose to avoid speaking clearly to shareholders and analysts?

Why your hospital bill is so high

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

Description:    From IV bags to chest tubes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why even basic medical equipment adds thousands to your medical bill. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 28, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/27/n-medical-equipment-cost.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the way hospitals allocate costs in order to cover all operating expenses. Is this a form of insurance?… Read more »

Old school guide to money and marriage

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning.

Description:    Married residents of New York’s Amsterdam at Harborside retirement community share how they’ve dealt with money issues over the decades. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 25, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/06/22/pf-hd-old-money-marriage.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What personal financial lessons can be learned from this report that remain true for people today? How did people function… Read more »

Airlines Lift U.S.-To-Europe Fares By Paring Seats

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Description: U.S. carriers led by United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) are shielding their lucrative trans- Atlantic business from the worst of Europe’s economic slump, after shrinking the supply of seats to support higher fares. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: June 28, 2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-28/airlines-lift-u-s-to-europe-fares-by-paring-seats.html Questions for Discussions: How have airlines planned and adjusted to market conditions? How… Read more »

U.S. Automakers Cut Retirees Loose

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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 »

Profits aren’t the only consideration for newspapers

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Description: It might make sense for some newspapers in some cities to quickly switch to digital. It doesn’t make sense in New Orleans. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jun 07, 2012 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/06/07/profits-arent-the-only-consideration-for-newspapers/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: Describe the financial scenario facing the newspaper business. What steps would you advise financial managers of these businesses take?  

GM plant closing in Oshawa ‘absolutely sickening’

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis.

Description: Employment at General Motors of Canada Ltd., once the biggest employer by far in the auto sector in Canada with more than 40,000 workers, will fall to about one-fifth that number by next June when it ceases production on one of two assembly lines at its Oshawa, Ont., plant. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: June 01,… Read more »

Why Delta is buying an oil refinery

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial Planning.

Description: Delta Air Lines tries to take out the middle man by purchasing a Pennsylvania oil refinery, but it could prove to be a risky investment. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/01/n-delta-oil-refinery.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Why did Delta do this? What are the risks? Do you think it was a… Read more »