Did you know Cuba has two currencies?

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: The system of duel currency creates two levels of wage earners in Cuba. The government announced that they want to end the practice and create a currency that is more valuable. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 31, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/10/31/n-cuba-dual-currency-reform.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Explain how Cuba’s economy functions with two currencies? Why… Read more »

How money managers deal with D.C. gridlock

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: Money managers sound off on the shutdown that has clients pulling their money out of the markets. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 09, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/10/09/n-money-managers-shutdown-washington.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What are the different ways money managers are responding to the concerns over political gridlock? Which strategy has been the most successful thus… Read more »

El-Erian: Syria could halt sluggish growth

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: Pimco’s Mohamed El-Erian discusses Syria’s impact on oil prices, Chancellor Merkel’s recent statements about Greece and U.S. Treasury yields. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: August 28, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/08/28/n-cmw-pimco-el-erian-syria-oil-merkel-bond-yields.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for uncertainty in markets today according to El-Erian. How do you think oil prices will behave in the… Read more »

Japan’s Nikkei dips into bear market territory

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: After shooting into the stratosphere, Japanese stocks have tumbled back to Earth. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 07, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/06/investing/japan-stocks/index.html?iid=HP_River Questions for Discussions: Describe the investment climate in Japan and why markets soared. Why has the Nikkei dropped so suddenly? Would you be a buyer of Japanese stocks or the Yen?

How Bitcoin works

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

Description: The Internet currency, Bitcoin has seen an uptick recently as more people look to the virtual currency as a way to get rich. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Apr 04, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/04/04/n-cmr-bitcoin-explainer-velshi.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What is the difference between trade in Bitcoin and say the US dollar? Do you think this… Read more »

Why gold fell this week and what to do next

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Market Analysis.

Description: Analysts explain gold’s plunge, offer a long-term outlook and advice Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: Apr 05, 2013 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-gold-fell-this-week-and-what-to-do-next-2013-04-05 Questions for discussion: Summarize the explanations for gold’s behavior and thinking about its future. What do you think about gold and what would you advise investors?

Gold’s lustre will fade: CIBC

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation.

Description:  Gold has had a “glorious run,” but the factors that propelled the price of the precious metal to record highs are fading, economists at CIBC World Markets said. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Feb 21, 2013 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/2/21/Golds-lustre-will-fade-CIBC-.aspx Questions for Discussions: Explain the reasons presented in this report for the rise in gold… Read more »

QE3 and the looming currency war

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:   Commentary: An unstable situation could worsen Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Aug 29, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/qe3-and-the-looming-currency-war-2012-08-29-11103146?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions:  What are the international concerns related to the Fed action to stimulate US economic activity? How would a change in currency values affect commodity markets?

Canadian Companies Shop for European Assets

Posted by & filed under Growth & Valuation, Market Analysis.

Description: Canadian companies and pension funds are on a European acquisition binge, even as U.S. and Chinese buyers slash spending on takeovers there. Europe’s low valuations and the robust Canadian dollar are spurring deals by Canadian companies such as Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) and Alimentation Couche-Tard. “Canadian companies are basically punching above their weight in… Read more »