Can stocks pay your mortgage?

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Financial Planning.

Description:  Should you take out a new mortgage — or home equity line of credit — and spend the money buying stocks? Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 09/14/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/can-stocks-pay-your-mortgage-2011-09-14?pagenumber=1 Questions for discussion: Summarize the logic of the investing strategy presented in this report. What are the risks and advantages for an individual? Would you advise this… Read more »

Obama jobs plan: Little help for big biz

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

Description:   Manpower CEO Jeff Joerres says there are positive aspects to Obama?s jobs plan but do not expect it to significantly boost jobs. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/09/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/09/09/n_manpower_obama_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis of the economic plan presented by President Obama this week? Do agree with this assessment? What would… Read more »

Inside the hottest gold market in town

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

Description:   NNi’s Felicia Taylor spends the day with gold traders in the NYMEX, during the markets’ roller-coaster week. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/12/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/08/12/n_nymex_taylor.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Describe the mechanics of gold trading. What is the reason for the sudden increase in demand? When will this trend stop? How can investors play… Read more »

S&P: Why we downgraded the U.S.

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

Description:   John Chambers, head of Sovereign Ratings for Standard & Poor?s, explains why the ratings agency downgraded the U.S. credit rating. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/06/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/08/06/n_us_credit_downgrade.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the S&P decision? Do you think it was justified? What are the consequences for governments, businesses, and consumer?… Read more »

LinkedIn IPO Managers Stop Saying ‘Buy’ Amid Networking Site’s Stock Surge

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Management Issues.

Description:  LinkedIn Corp. has suffered an unusual loss of support from the securities firms that led the professional-networking website’s initial public offering less than three months ago. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 08/05/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-05/linkedin-ipo-managers-stop-saying-buy-amid-networking-site-s-stock-surge.html Questions for discussion: How do you think investors will interpret the changes in recommendations so soon after their IPO recommendations? What are… Read more »

The Forbes family’s big deal causes big trouble

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

Description: After default, emergency restructuring was needed to satisfy lenders. Source:  Fortune.com Date: 07/28/2011 Link:  http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/28/the-forbes-familys-big-deal-causes-big-trouble/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial condition of the firm. How would you advise management to deal with the current situation?

Nokia to Cut Costs More After Loss

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Industry Analysis.

Description: The two largest European makers of telecommunications equipment, Nokia and Ericsson, announced plans Thursday to continue or accelerate cost-cutting efforts in the face of rising competition, internal reorganizations and weak demand in North America. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: 07/21/2011 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/technology/nokia-and-ericsson-announce-cost-cutting.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How can management mitigate the stress on cash flow during this… Read more »

Demystifying the Euro bank test

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:   CNN’s Jim Boulden blasts through the jargon of the European bank stress tests. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/15/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/07/15/n_euro_bank_stress.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize what the “tests” are supposed to show. Are there any weaknesses to the test? How would you advise investors to deal with the current conditions?

Eight banks fail Europe’s stress tests

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

Description: Investors may take a skeptical view of Europe’s latest stress tests after eight banks failed with a combined capital shortfall of just 2.5 billion euros ($3.5 billion). Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/15/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/eight-banks-fail-europes-stress-tests-2011-07-15 Questions for discussion: What does “failure” mean, in this context? What are the implications for the economies of Europe and elsewhere?… Read more »

Is the euro a better bet than the dollar?

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis.

Description:   A commitment to reform in Europe could mean the euro is a better value than the greenback, according to currency fund manager Axel Merk. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/08/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/07/07/mkts_buzz_euro_dollar.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the views presented. Do you agree with the analysis? How would you advise investors to deal with… Read more »