Liquor store privatization could be boon for Big Booze

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

Description: With their finances on the rocks, states that control the sale of liquor to the public are looking at handing the job to private enterprise, a move that could raise revenue, streamline government, and prove a boon to the spirits industry. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/06/2010 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/liquor-store-privatization-a-boon-for-big-booze-2010-02-06 Questions for discussion: How will this move… Read more »

Geithner’s bailout burden

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description:  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says he will always feel legitimate pressure from the public even though the bailout wasn’t ‘under his watch. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 01/29/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/29/n_geithner_stimulus_bailout.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you share the views put forward by Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner? Explain your answer. In which ways do… Read more »

Plentiful-Job Gauge Points to U.S. Payroll Growth: Chart of Day

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

Description:  Economists who expect a revival of U.S. employment growth this month have history on their side, according to Thomas J. Lee, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. strategist. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/29/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aMnej1hFAk_s Questions for discussion: What is your judgement of the chart and predictions presented in the report. How might financial managers be… Read more »

Dollar rallies on stronger-than-expected data

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description: The dollar rose against major currencies on Friday after stronger-than-expected economic data reinforced the view the United States was recovering from recession faster than other developed countries. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/29/2010 Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BF27F20100129 Questions for discussion:  How will the dollar’s activity affect financial management of firms that import and export? Where do you believe… Read more »

The Places They Go When Banks Say No

Posted by & filed under Financial Planning.

Description: In the glory days of the digital photo frame business, when his products were still a novelty and shoppers were flush with cash, getting a bank loan to manufacture them was a cinch, Michael Levy says. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/30/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/business/smallbusiness/31order.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the problems facing small businesses since the financial… Read more »

FDIC: Bonus culture needs to change

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description:  FDIC Chairwoman Sheila Bair is concerned with the lack of real change in big banks’ operations and compensation. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 01/22/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/22/n_fdic_bair_bank_bonuses.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summary the ideas put forward by Sheila Bair. Do you support her position? Explain your thinking. How do you think the investment industry… Read more »

Obama proposes new limits on big bank risky trading

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis.

Description: In his toughest response yet to the financial crisis, Obama proposed Thursday that strict limits be imposed on the size and trading activities of the nation’s biggest banks. The proposal aims to deter commercial banks from becoming so large that they put the broader economy at risk and distort normal competitive forces. The president… Read more »

Investors brace for earnings, Bernanke vote

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

Description: Stocks could see choppy trading next week with the latest batch of earnings and uncertainty over Ben Bernanke’s Senate confirmation for another term as Federal Reserve chairman. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/23/2010 Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60M09920100123 Questions for discussion:  Follow up this article with a summary of corporate earnings reported this week? How did markets react? Why… Read more »

Goldman’s image crisis

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

Description:  The elite Wall Street firm is criticized for doling out $21 billion in bonuses this year and having sold toxic assets. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 01/13/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/13/n_goldman_public_attention.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are your impressions of the report with respect to the presentation of the culture of the firm and the… Read more »

JPMorgan Chase books $3.3 billion profit

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

Description: JPMorgan Chase showed it was close to making a full recovery from last year’s crisis after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly profits of $3.3 billion Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/15/news/companies/JPMorgan_Chase_earnings/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What does the recovery by JPMorgan suggest about the financial future other financial institutions and stock… Read more »