Description: Prada SpA, the Italian fashion company that has scrapped initial public offerings four times in 11 years, may decide to proceed with an IPO by the end of the month, according to two people familiar with the situation. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/21/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-21/prada-said-to-decide-on-ipo-by-end-of-month-open-90-stores.html Questions for discussion: What are the positive and negative implications… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Investing Strategies
Don’t forget about commodities
Description: Commodities surged last year on strong emerging markets and a weak dollar, but investors wonder if the momentum can last through 2011. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/13/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/13/n_bz_commodities_2010.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions presented in this report. Do you agree with them? Do you believe that “speculation†rather than real… Read more »
JPMorgan Posts Strong Profit as Crisis Fades
Description: JPMorgan Chase kicked off the banking industry’s earnings season on Friday with news that its profits surged 48 percent last year amid signs that consumers and businesses had slowly regained their balance in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/jpmorgans-fourth-quarter-profits-rise-47-to-4-8-billion/?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the explanation for the… Read more »
Corporate tax reform: Talk grows louder
Description:Â There’s the sweet deal for companies that make Puerto Rican rum. Or the tax break intended to promote U.S. manufacturing but that’s so broad it can include the making of hamburgers. The list goes on. Welcome to the American corporate tax code, which is front and center for a possible overhaul. Source:Â CNNMoney.com Date:… Read more »
BullHorn: Can you see past the hype?
Description: All electronics are hyped at CES, so pick the best ones. Rare metals are risky, while railroads are a solid bet. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/07/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/01/07/mkts_bh_ces_metals_rail.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions presented in this report. Do you agree with them? Which of the stocks mentioned would present the greatest… Read more »
Facebook Moves Toward IPO
Description: Facebook is poised to cross the 500 shareholder mark this year, so is an IPO in the works? Kelsey Hubbard gets a Facebook “status update” from the WSJ’s Dennis Berman. Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-07/apple-s-overture-to-blackstone-cfo-may-presage-deals.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons Apple is expected to go looking for acquisitions. Do you think Tosi would be a good… Read more »
Apple’s Overture to Blackstone CFO May Presage Deals
Description: Apple Inc.’s approach to Blackstone Group LP Chief Financial Officer Laurence Tosi about becoming finance chief may be a sign Steve Jobs is ready to pick up the dealmaking pace. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/07/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-07/apple-s-overture-to-blackstone-cfo-may-presage-deals.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons Apple is expected to go looking for acquisitions. Do you think Tosi… Read more »
After a Long Ascent, Turbulence for Bonds
Description: WHEN the stock market plummeted in 2008, investors began to pour money into bond mutual funds, which generally performed quite well — at least until this past December. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 01/08/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/business/mutfund/09bond.html?ref=mutfund Questions for discussion:  Summarize performance of bonds over the last 12 months. How have investors behaved recently? Strategically… Read more »
Facebook? Google is the next Google
Description:Â Only in the fickle world of technology can a company with a market value of $200 billion and nearly 20% sales growth be considered yesterday’s news. Source:Â CNNMoney.com Date: 01/07/2011 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/07/technology/thebuzz/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key factors driving the valuations for Facebook and Google. How do you think they will perform over… Read more »
Will Apple sour in 2011?
Description: Readers of ‘The Buzz’ are surprisingly bearish on the technology giant despite a super 2010. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/23/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/12/23/n_bz_apple_aapl_2011.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasoning that supports further increases ahead for Apple and those that don’t. What do you think will happen to Apple stock value? What do you… Read more »
