Description: Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), Asia’s biggest carmaker, is telling parts suppliers in Japan to slash prices or face being replaced by overseas rivals as the yen’s value appreciates, four people involved with the discussions said.. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/07/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-07/toyota-said-to-tell-partsmakers-in-japan-to-slash-prices-as-yen-advances.html Questions for discussion: Explain the connection between the value of the Japanese currency… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Cash Flow
A Divide Over Valuing Greek Debt
Description: Dexia, BNP Paribas, and Société Générale are resisting pressure from regulators to accept more losses on their holdings of Greek government debt amid criticism they haven’t written down the bonds sufficiently. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/06/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/europe/a-divide-over-valuing-greek-debt-10062011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the accounting problems facing these banks. What are the possible solutions? How would… Read more »
Why Google has a venture capital fund
Description:    Bill Maris, managing partner of Google Ventures explains how the fund’s investments fit in with Google’s overall strategy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/29/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/09/28/ts_google_ventures.fortune/ Questions for discussion: What are the reasons presented for Google’s involvement in new ventures? What are some other possible reasons that were not mentioned in the report?… Read more »
More Small Businesses Are Selling Receivables at a Loss
Description: Owners who can’t get bank credit or aren’t selling much are tapping commercial financiers known as factors—despite their higher cost Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/27/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/small-business/more-small-businesses-are-selling-receivables-at-a-loss-09272011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the problems described in the article. What are the possible solutions? Is factoring a good choice, in your opinion?
Where bond traders hunt for yield
Description:    With low Treasury yields, the BlackRock CIO of Fixed Income says asset-backed securities are one place to look for higher yields Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/20/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/09/20/mkts_blackrock_bond_yield.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the forecasts presented in this report and how Blackrock bond traders are serving their clients. Do you agree with the… Read more »
RIMM rocked by slow sales
Description:  Shares of BlackBerry-maker RIM sag as disappointing smartphone and tablet sales have investors wondering if the company will ever return to its glory days. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/16/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/09/16/mkts_am_rim.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results for RIM and the explanation for the drop in share value on the stock… Read more »
Investors stream toward Pandora
Description: Shares of Pandora jump double-digits after the Internet music company reported a 117% jump in revenue in its first report since going public in June. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/26/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/08/26/mkts_midday_pandora2.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think the stock price is appropriate? What do you think of the business model as… Read more »
The Forbes family’s big deal causes big trouble
Description: After default, emergency restructuring was needed to satisfy lenders. Source:Â Fortune.com Date: 07/28/2011 Link:Â http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/28/the-forbes-familys-big-deal-causes-big-trouble/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial condition of the firm. How would you advise management to deal with the current situation?
Nokia to Cut Costs More After Loss
Description: The two largest European makers of telecommunications equipment, Nokia and Ericsson, announced plans Thursday to continue or accelerate cost-cutting efforts in the face of rising competition, internal reorganizations and weak demand in North America. Source:Â NYTimes.com Date: 07/21/2011 Link:Â http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/technology/nokia-and-ericsson-announce-cost-cutting.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How can management mitigate the stress on cash flow during this… Read more »
EBay Profit Drops After Acquisition Costs Eat Into Earnings
Description: After making at least nine acquisitions in the past year, EBay reported a drop in second-quarter net income and forecast modestly reduced earnings for the third quarter Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/21/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/technology/ebay-profit-drops-after-acquisition-costs-eat-into-earnings-07212011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What are the implications for the firm? How should… Read more »
