Description: BP said it was suspending dividend payments for much of this year and created a $20 billion fund to pay injured parties. Alan Murray and Joe White discuss. Also, Steven Gillon, a presidential historian discusses Barack Obama’s leadership style in the context of other presidents who have faced serious crises. Source: Marketwatch.com – video… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Risk Management
BP’s Gulf Coast oil spill – a legal primer
Description: To help readers navigate the legal landscape surrounding BP’s mammoth oil spill (or “oil spew,” as some argue it should more properly be called) in the Gulf Coast, I have looked into some of the law-related questions and statements that keep surfacing as the press and bloggers keep up with the crisis. I rely… Read more »
Debtors’ Prism: Who Has Europe’s Loans?
Description: IT’S a $2.6 trillion mystery. That’s the amount that foreign banks and other financial companies have lent to public and private institutions in Greece, Spain and Portugal, three countries so mired in economic troubles that analysts and investors assume that a significant portion of that mountain of debt may never be repaid. Source: NYTimes.com… Read more »
AM Report: Strike Tests Greece, Europe
Description: Greece was gripped by a nationwide general strike, in what is seen as a key test of the government’s ability to shepherd through tough austerity measures in exchange for a multibillion-euro bailout. Charles Forelle, Evan Newmark and Mike Reid discuss. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 05/05/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/am-report-strike-tests-greece-europe/58C75EFA-FA3A-4325-9531-E972A0FBC338 Questions for discussion: How… Read more »
U.S. Banks in Four States Closed, Failure Count Climbs to 68
Description: U.S. regulators closed four banks holding less than $740 million in total assets as this year’s failures climbed to 68. Lenders in Arizona, California, Minnesota and Florida were closed by regulators and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was named receiver, according to statements on the agency’s website. The failures cost the FDIC’s deposit insurance… Read more »
Berkshire Says Burlington Northern, NetJets Helped Boost Profit
Description: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which reported a $3.6 billion first-quarter profit last week, said gains at private flight company NetJets Inc. and railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe bolstered results. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 05/08/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aPL.hvjH5srY Questions for discussion: Do you believe that the financial results for Berkshire are indicative of general economic… Read more »
Buffett’s stance on derivatives
Description: Fortune’s Andy Serwer talks about how the Senate’s proposed financial reforms will affect Berkshire Hathaway’s derivatives holdings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 04/29/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/04/29/f_sl_buffett_derivatives_berkshire.fortune/  Questions for discussion: How much influence do you think Buffett can have in the current debate about derivatives? Would Buffett joining the management of Goldman be a… Read more »
Boost in U.S. Consumer Spending Broadens, Sustains Expansion
Description: Consumer spending grew at the fastest pace in three years during the first quarter, a sign that the largest part of the economy is gaining speed while becoming less dependent on government stimulus. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 05/01/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aWPIvQsHfsaw Questions for discussion: Given the recent economic improvements, what changes should financial managers consider… Read more »
Goldman Sachs Loses Room to Maneuver After Public Testimony
Description: Goldman Sachs Group Inc. may have backed itself into a corner by speaking out quickly to counter fraud claims by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 05/01/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=avI7OhdudjWc Questions for discussion: In terms of public opinion, McCormick said, Goldman Sachs has “already been condemned, the question is the price.  Read more »
Did Goldman Do Anything Wrong?
Description: When it comes to laying the blame on Goldman Sachs, Wealth Adviser columnist James Altucher says, “not so fast.” Nevertheless, he tells investors to stay away from buying the stock until the flames cool down. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 04/23/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/did-goldman-do-anything-wrong/E02B7836-3C8D-4719-A7EB-DE47036348DF Questions for discussion: So, in your opinion, did Goldman… Read more »
