H-P grabbing Palm could shake up PC alliances

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: Hewlett-Packard’s bid to gobble up Palm Inc. could shake up alliances in the personal computer industry, as other players in the sector figure out their play in a rapidly-changing smartphone arena, analysts say. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 04/29/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/h-ps-palm-merger-seen-shaking-up-pc-alliances-2010-04-29?siteid=nwtwk   Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis presented? Is this a good… Read more »

UAL, Continental reportedly set to announce deal Monday

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Description:  United Airlines and Continental Airlines are reportedly on track to announce a multibillion-dollar merger deal on Monday that would create the world’s biggest airline. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 04/29/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ual-continental-reportedly-close-in-on-deal-2010-04-29?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Is this a good deal for stockholders of each firm? From a financial management point of view, what will the… Read more »

How Not to Run an S.E.C. Investigation

Posted by & filed under Governments & Regulators.

Description: A recent report by Securities and Exchange Commission’s inspector general shows that the investigation of Bernard L. Madoff was not the only one to go badly awry. While the impact of the S.E.C.’s missteps were not nearly as significant as in the Madoff case, the report shows that the agency’s enforcement division allowed itself… Read more »

Apax, Private-Equity Firms Say Retail LBOs Return With Recovery

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description: Private-equity firms looking to buy retail and consumer companies said they’re now able to finance deals and pay reasonable prices after the credit crisis and global recession triggered a buyout slump. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=a1CarvonDlcU&pos=15 Questions for discussion: Does this news bode well for the economy? What has changed in this industry… Read more »

Wall Street sours on Palm as smartphone sales stall

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Description:  Analysts say wireless-device maker has few options; few see buyout as likely. Source: Marketwatch – video report   Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/palms-survival-at-stake-if-smartphones-dont-sell-2010-02-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Do you think investors have properly valued Palm in the past or presently? On what basis would you set a stock value for the firm? What valuation would you… Read more »

Sears agrees to sell Craftsman tools at Ace Hardware

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

Description:   Sears Holdings Corp. has agreed to sell its popular Craftsman tool brand through Ace Hardware stores, as the company turns again to outsiders to help grow its sales. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-agrees-to-sell-craftsman-tools-at-ace-hardware-2010-02-20 Questions for discussion: Do you think this strategy is sound for both firms? What alternative strategies are available to Sears and… Read more »

Ackman Buys 2% Kraft Stake, Urges Cash for Cadbury

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

Description:  Billionaire investor William Ackman bought a $950 million stake in Kraft Foods Inc. and urged its Chief Executive Officer Irene Rosenfeld to limit the amount of stock she uses to bid for Cadbury Plc. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/16/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aSMnsSKPDuMk Questions for discussion: Do you think Ackman’s decision is a smart move? Do you… Read more »

Why Yahoo finally made the deal

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

Description:  CEO Carol Bartz explains why her company formed a partnership with Microsoft one year after their initial offer. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 9/16/2009 Keys:  Mergers & acquisitions, strategic planning Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/09/16/f_mpw_bartz_microsoft.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of the partnership for both firms from a strategic planning point of… Read more »