El-Erian: ‘A Greek exit is inevitable’

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

Description: PIMCO’s Mohamed El-Erian says a snowballing run on Greek banks is making the nation’s exit from the eurozone inevitable. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 25, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/25/n-el-erian-greek-exit.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Summarize the opinions presented by El-Erian. Do you agree with his analysis? What trading recommendations would be in order if an… Read more »

Fishing Industry Aids Iceland’s Recovery

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

Description: Three years after a spectacular financial collapse, Iceland is coming back, largely on the strength of its strong exports. Video and reporting by Charles Forelle from the island of Vestmannaeyjar. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: May 18, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/fishing-industry-aids-iceland-recovery/E1ED2AC5-D98B-4760-844E-67F8BA64A136 Questions for Discussion: What does this report have to say about economic recovery… Read more »

Europe’s Impact on U.S. Stocks

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

Description:     Barrons.com Stocks Editor Bob O’Brien makes a stop on Mean Street to discuss the relationship between the European debt crisis and the U.S. economy. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 11/07/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/europe-impact-on-us-stocks/0F5C104D-4734-404D-BED8-E6A1618F8A1E Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented for concern over the European debt crisis. How is the global economy affected by… Read more »

China’s vanishing factory bosses

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:  No one believed more fervently in China’s economic miracle than the residents of this pretty coastal city, which produces shoes, eyeglasses and cigarette lighters sold around the world. The good times of the past decade made many in Wenzhou rich, and residents repeatedly doubled their bets, pouring their earnings and more into stock markets… Read more »

Hope for American Manufacturing—and Maybe Jobs

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: Some factory work is returning to the U.S., thanks to a narrowing wage gap with low-cost countries and to the rising risks posed by long supply lines Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/14/2011 Link:   http://www.businessweek.com/finance/hope-for-american-manufacturingmdashand-maybe-jobs-10142011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the main points presented in this report. Do you agree with the analysis and conclusions? How should… Read more »

A Divide Over Valuing Greek Debt

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Economic Analysis, Industry Analysis.

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 »

More Small Businesses Are Selling Receivables at a Loss

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

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?

Treasury 10-Year Yields Rise Most Since July on European Outlook

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

Description: Treasuries dropped, pushing 10-year note yields up the most in more than two months, after the European Central Bank coordinated with the Federal Reserve and other central banks to maintain liquidity for the euro area’s financial institutions. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/17/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-09-17/treasury-10-year-yields-rise-most-since-july-on-european-outlook.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial news reported. What is the… Read more »

Jim Rogers: ‘I’m staying liquid’

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: The legendary investor sees more troubling times for the global economy and says he is staying away from stocks for the foreseeable future. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/16/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/06/16/n_rogers_debt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented by Jim Rogers. Do you agree with his assessments and solutions? How would you approach… Read more »

General Motors Said to Weigh Buying Shares From Treasury

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

Description:  General Motors Co. executives have discussed buying shares from the U.S. Treasury Department to reduce the government’s 33 percent stake in the automaker, three people familiar with the matter said. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 06/03/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-06-03/general-motors-said-to-weigh-buying-shares-from-treasury.html Questions for discussion: What do you think is the best financial strategy for the company? What is wrong… Read more »