Fed transcripts: Bernanke chose to let Lehman fail

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

Description: FORTUNE — September 15, 2008 was a watershed moment for the financial crisis that consigned much of the world to an economic malaise from which we are still recovering. That day, government officials hastily arranged a sale of investment bank Merrill Lynch to Bank of America, while another bank — Lehman Brothers — was… Read more »

Stocks down? It’s about time!

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

Description: Investors shouldn’t stress about the ugly week for stocks. The market is coming off of huge gains in 2013 and there’s still decent growth in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 24, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/01/24/investing-the-buzz-stocks-nyse-markets-china-turkey-argentina.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why would a correction be a good thing? Do you… Read more »

Stocks: Talk of a market bubble is the real bubble

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

Description: Bitcoin may be a bubble. Twitter (TWTR) may be a bubble. Talking incessantly about how cold it is (“It’s frickin freezing in here Mr. Bigglesworth!”) may be a bubble. But the broader stock market? That is not a bubble. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Jan 07, 2014 Link: http://buzz.money.cnn.com/2014/01/07/bubble/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the meaning of… Read more »

Market up on good news? Pinch me!

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

Description: The jobs report was strong and the markets are celebrating. Sure, the Fed may taper sooner rather than later. But that’s not a bad thing as long as the economy is improving. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 07, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/12/06/investing-the-buzz-taper-fed-markets-bernanke-quantitative-easing-jobs-economy.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why did the stock market rally? How do… Read more »

Lowest Jobless Rate in 5 Years Raises Odds of a Fed Move

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

Description: After years of frustrating fits and starts in the wake of the financial crisis and the Great Recession, the United States economy finally appears to be generating jobs at a healthier, more sustainable pace that many analysts now think will continue into 2014. The official unemployment rate fell in November to its lowest level… Read more »

Carl Icahn clarifies his stock-caution comments as others downplay them

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

Description: Activist investor Carl Icahn has clarified his comments that contributed to pushing stocks to session lows on Monday. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Nov 19, 2013 Link: http://blogs.marketwatch.com/thetell/2013/11/19/carl-icahn-clarifies-his-stock-caution-comments-as-others-downplay-them/ Questions for Discussions: What does the report say about investor reactions to comments by investors like Carl Icahn? Do you believe the markets are due for a correction?

Dow 16,000? Who cares!

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

Description: With the economy still sluggish, don’t get too excited about the record high stock market. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 15, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/11/15/investing-dow-record-16000-who-cares.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What is the Dow? Does its rise or fall relate to how well the economy is performing? What is the explanation for the recent surge?

Sometimes, Things Really Are Different This Time

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

Description: The four most dangerous words in investing are said to be “It’s different this time.” Someone uses them at the peak of every bubble to justify ignoring lessons of the past. Source: Fool.com Date: Nov 04, 2013 Link: http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/11/04/sometimes-things-really-are-different-this-time.aspx?source=isesitlnk0000001&mrr=0.33 Questions for Discussions: Explain the arguments presented in this report. Do you agree with the… Read more »