Description: And then Meg Whitman cut the baby in two. After spending years debating the merits of operating as separate companies, Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) on Monday announced its plans to divide. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 06, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-06/hewlett-packard-to-split-into-two-companies#r=hpt-fs Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons provided for splitting the company into two separate firms? Do you… Read more »
Posts Tagged: M&A
Berkshire Hathaway buying 5th largest U.S. auto dealer
Description: Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway is buying U.S. auto dealer Van Tuyl Group to pursue medium and long term growth opportunities in the sector. Chitra Nawbatt reports. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=457908 Questions for Discussions: Why is there consolidation taking place in the industry? What makes this industry an… Read more »
What Should a Liberated PayPal Do? Become a Bank and Go to War With Apple
Description: PayPal’s break from EBay (EBAY) is all about buzzwords: eliminating dis-synergies, applying strategic focus, and seizing the moment. But what does that even mean? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 02, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/ex-paypal-execs-ideas-for-its-future-war-with-apple-become-bank#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: What strategic direction is PayPal considering, according to the article? Do you agree with this line of thinking? Should… Read more »
Square raises $100 million at $6 billion valuation
Description: Square raises another $100 million, and it isn’t done yet. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 12, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/09/12/square-raises-100-million-at-6-billion-valuation/ Questions for Discussions: Evaluate the risk associated with this company in light of the competitive environment and costs of building a network of users. Do you believe the company can be made into an attractive acquisition… Read more »
Blackstone’s $26 Billion Hilton Deal: The Best Leveraged Buyout Ever
Description: In the early spring of 2009, with the recession deepening, Christopher Nassetta stood alone in an empty house in Arlington, Va., surrounded by moving boxes and trying not to despair. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 12, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-11/blackstones-hilton-deal-best-leveraged-buyout-ever#r=nav-f-story Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial highlights in this story. Do you agree with assessment that… Read more »
What will Yahoo do with Alibaba cash?
Description: With billions in cash coming once Yahoo sells some of its stake in Alibaba, can CEO Marissa Mayer impress investors? Yahoo needs to prove to Wall Street once and for all that its turnaround strategy can work. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 02, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/09/02/what-will-yahoo-do-with-alibaba-money.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What would you… Read more »
Alibaba Seeks $21.1 Billion in Record-Breaking U.S. IPO
Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., the e-commerce company whose fortunes surged along with China’s economy, plans an historic U.S. initial public offering that may also claim the global record. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 06, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-05/alibaba-seeks-21-1-billion-in-record-breaking-u-s-ipo-3-.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial highlights described in this report that argue for and against the IPO… Read more »
Alibaba’s expected blockbuster IPO may mean garage sale of less attractive tech stocks
Description: Investors are looking over portfolios to make room for Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holdings Inc’s market debut next month – and that means some less attractive stocks that funds are holding might be shown the door. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Aug 26, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/26/alibabas-expected-blockbuster-ipo-may-mean-garage-sale-of-less-attractive-tech-stocks/ Questions for Discussions: How might Alibaba’s IPO affect individual… Read more »
S&P 500 Tops 2,000. Don’t Do Anything
Description: On Monday the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index traded above 2,000 for the first time, getting to just under 2,002 before retreating below the 2K mark in early afternoon. Should you cheer? Or panic? Source: Businessweek.com Date: Aug 25, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-25/s-and-p-500-hits-2-000-dot-should-investors-buy-sell-or-hold#r=hpf-s Questions for Discussions: What is the message to investors in this article?… Read more »
Allergan’s attempts to elude Ackman’s bid fuel bearish bets
Description: Should Bill Ackman and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. fail in their bid to take over Allergan Inc., options traders will be hedged. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Aug 28, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-28/allergan-attempts-to-elude-ackman-bid-fuel-bearish-bets.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the various strategies in play? What would you advise investors to do at this time?
