Jim Rogers: Soaring Dow a poor indicator

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

Description:  Famed investor Jim Rogers says recent gains in international markets is a poor indicator of global economic health. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Mar 15, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/03/15/news-jim-rogers-currency-inflation.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What is the reason Jim Rogers believes the current run up in the Dow is not a good predictor of a better… Read more »

Spinoff of Time Inc. Rattles Employees

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  It was an elite reception at a glittery Manhattan setting: prominent media figures like Gayle King and Lesley Stahl gathered on the 10th floor of the Time Warner Center on Monday night to toast Sheryl Sandberg, the Facebook executive who recently released a book about her life. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Mar 13, 2013 Link:… Read more »

Berkshire and 3G Capital in a $23 Billion Deal for Heinz

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

Description:  Just days ago, the fate of a 144-year-old American icon was being hashed out in a Pittsburgh conference room as executives spoke by phone to representatives of two global billionaires who went by the code names “Owl” and “Goose.” Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Feb 15, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/berkshire-and-3g-capital-to-buy-heinz-for-23-billion/ Questions for Discussions: Describe the finiancial structure… Read more »

HP Investors Face a Lonelier Road Ahead

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

Description:  Now that its nemesis, Dell (DELL), is going private and bowing out of the quarterly earnings spotlight, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) finds itself at the intersection of two clichés: Misery loves company (but) breaking up is hard to do. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: Feb 08, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-08/hp-investors-face-a-lonelier-road-ahead#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: How has HP boosted stock value… Read more »

Ali Velshi debunks debt ceiling myths

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: CNN’s Ali Velshi (@alivelshi) explains the how the debt ceiling works, and why we can’t afford another Congressional stand-off. Source: CNNMoney.com.com – video report Date: Jan 11, 2013 Link: http://cnn.com/video/?/video/bestoftv/2013/01/11/ym-debt-ceiling-congress-washington.cnn Questions for Discussions: What is the debt ceiling? What will happen to interest rates if the debt ceiling is not raised? How should investors… Read more »

Harry Winston to Use Swatch Cash for Diamonds Purchases

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

Description:  Harry Winston Diamond Corp. (HW)’s $1 billion sale of a luxury unit to Swatch Group AG (UHR) provides the cash to invest more in diamond mining, a business that last year was more than twice as profitable as jewelry. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 15, 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-01-15/harry-winston-to-use-swatch-cash-for-diamonds-purchases.html Questions for Discussions: Explain the logic of… Read more »

Renault Sells Volvo Shares for $1.92 Billion to Cut Debt

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

Description: Renault SA (RNO), which is losing sales faster than any other European carmaker, sold its remaining Volvo AB (VOLVB) stake for 12.8 billion kronor ($1.92 billion) to boost funding, ending an 11-year run as the Swedish truckmaker’s largest owner. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Dec 13, 2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-12-12/renault-to-sell-volvo-shares-worth-2-billion-to-cut-debt#r=bloomberg Questions for Discussions: What is the reasoning… Read more »

Twinkie Maker Hostess to Close

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

Description:  Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of iconic treats such as Twinkies and traditional pantry staple Wonder Bread, said Friday it is shuttering its plants and firing about 18,000 workers as it seeks to liquidate the 82-year-old business. Source:  WSJ.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link:  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324556304578122632560842670.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the demise… Read more »

Stocks Doubled

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

Description:  Four years ago the stock market was in free fall. Since then, it’s regained plenty of altitude. Many people missed out on the rally, though; rather than investing, U.S. households stashed a record $8.6 trillion in cash deposits. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 11, 2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-11/stocks-doubled#r=nav-f-graphic Questions for Discussions: What does this chart tell… Read more »

5 charts every investor needs this quarter

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Market Analysis.

Description:  Neither previous quarterly performance nor the election year cycle have proved to be good predictors of the Dow Jones Industrial Average’s. Source: Moneywatch.com Date: Oct 05, 2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-charts-every-investor-needs-this-quarter-2012-10-05?dist=lcountdown Questions for Discussions: What do each of these charts tell you about investing? Which do you think is most relevant today? Which other charts would… Read more »