Should Commodities Investors Take Cover?

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

Description:   If the U.S economy begins moving into a downward spiral, as many believe it might, should commodities investors take cover? WSJ’s Simon Constable visits Mean Street to break down the numbers. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://live.wsj.com/video/should-commodities-investors-take-cover/0643512D-78CC-4962-8D54-C977BD6BFD12.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the arguments presented about the movement in commodities…. Read more »

‘Period of remorse’ catches up to Diamond

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

Description: Robert Diamond’s resignation, effective immediately, as chief executive officer of Barclays PLC UK:BARC -2.05%  BCS -1.72%  Tuesday morning in the wake of the Libor-manipulation scandal comes a day after he reportedly sent a letter to employees saying he was “sorry” and pledged to impose tougher internal controls. Full story: Bob Diamond resigns as Barclays… Read more »

France slaps seven billion euros in taxes on rich and big firms

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

Description:  France’s new Socialist government announced tax rises worth 7.2 billion euros on Wednesday, including heavy one-off levies on wealthy households and big corporations, to plug a revenue shortfall this year caused by flagging economic growth. Source: Reuters.com Date: July 04, 2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/05/us-france-budget-idUSBRE86307X20120705 Questions for Discussions: What are the implications for Euro-based debt, the… Read more »

Why your hospital bill is so high

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:    From IV bags to chest tubes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why even basic medical equipment adds thousands to your medical bill. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 28, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/27/n-medical-equipment-cost.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the way hospitals allocate costs in order to cover all operating expenses. Is this a form of insurance?… Read more »

U.S. Automakers Cut Retirees Loose

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Industry Analysis.

Description: General Motors (GM) is offering retiree Rick Knoth a check for more than a half-million dollars and he’s still unhappy. Yes, Knoth plans to take GM’s huge buyout of his retirement benefits, but says he may never buy another car from the company where he worked for 37 years. “During my career I was… Read more »

Encana probes collusion accusation

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Description:  Encana Corp. has launched an internal investigation after the State of Michigan said it is examining allegations that the company worked with rival Chesapeake Energy Corp. to avoid competing in state land auctions for shale gas. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: June 26, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/encana-probes-collusion-accusation/article4368056/ Questions for Discussions: What are the financial implications for both… Read more »

How we know you’re afraid to invest

Posted by & filed under Market Analysis.

Description:    CNNMoney has a new way to help you gauge whether investors are greedy or fearful. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 20, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/19/n-fear-and-greed.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the methodology used to explain stock market behavior? Do you think it is a useful way of measuring and predicting behavior? Based on the… Read more »

Reasons to fear Wall Street’s high-tech traders

Posted by & filed under Industry Analysis.

Description: A review of Dark Pools: High-Speed Traders, A.I. Bandits, and the Threat to the Global Financial System, by Scott Patterson. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jun 22, 2012 Link:  http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/06/22/dark-pools-scott-patterson/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: Summarize the sentiments in this report? What are the concerns and are they well founded, in your opinion?

Why Spain’s 7% bond yield is so scary

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

Description: Sky-high borrowing costs and a lack of investor confidence may contribute to pushing Spain closer to a bailout. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/06/14/mkts-spain-10-year-bonds.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What is the significance of the 7% bond yield for Spain, for Europe, and for investors? What should investors do under these… Read more »

Nokia: Are the Finnish finished?

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Management Issues.

Description: Ignore the takeover rumors, ailing cell phone maker Nokia won’t be acquired anytime soon. In fact, now is probably the time to bail. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/06/14/investing-bz-nokia.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Summarize the analysis and recommendations presented by the reporter. Do you agree? What would you advise Nokia… Read more »