10-year Treasury yield dives to the lowest in a year after Fed says no more rates hikes

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Personal Finance.

Description: The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note dove to its lowest level since January 2018 after the Federal Reserve said that it’s no longer likely that it will hike rates again this year. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Mar 20, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/20/us-treasury-yields-tick-lower-ahead-of-fed-rate-decision.html Questions for discussion: What is the significance of this decision? How should… Read more »

Levi’s Raises $623 Million in Market Return as IPOs Heat Up

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Growth & Valuation, Personal Finance.

Description: More than 145 years after making the first pair of blue jeans, Levi Strauss & Co. is proving that investors are ready to buy into a company that wants to be known for more than just denim. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Mar 20, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/levi-s-set-for-return-to-public-market-as-ipo-action-heats-up Questions for discussion: Why was the IPO so successful? Do you… Read more »

Opinion: When the U.S. falls into a recession, a credit bubble will explode

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

Description: The U.S. economy, at its own peril, has been driven by cheap credit Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Mar 20, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/when-the-us-falls-into-a-recession-a-credit-bubble-will-explode-2019-03-20?mod=mw_theo_homepage Questions for discussion: What is the meaning of the term “credit cycle”? Do interest rates determine stock and bond market valuations? What do you think will happen in the next 12 months?

Google Fined $1.7 Billion by E.U. for Unfair Advertising Rules

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Financial analysis, Governments & Regulators, Growth & Valuation, Industry Analysis, Personal Finance.

Description: LONDON — European authorities on Wednesday fined Google 1.5 billion euros for antitrust violations in the online advertising market, continuing its efforts to rein in the world’s biggest technology companies. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Mar 20, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/business/google-fine-advertising.html Questions for discussion: What are the reasons given for the fines? From a profitability point of… Read more »

KFC Aims to Keep Its China Edge With AI Menu, Robot Ice Cream Maker

Posted by & filed under Company Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Management Issues, Personal Finance.

Description: In Shanghai’s southeastern district of Xujiahui, Colonel Sanders’s smiling visage looms over the restaurant entrance, as it does at thousands of KFC locations around the globe. But step inside, and it quickly becomes clear that this is no ordinary KFC. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Mar 20, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-20/yum-china-is-building-the-kfc-of-the-future?srnd=businessweek-v2 Questions for discussion: What is motivating… Read more »

Mohamed El-Erian joins Influencers with Andy Serwer

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

Description: Yahoo Finance Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer sits down with Mohamed El-Erian, Chief Economic Advisor at Allianz, former deputy director at the International Monetary Fund, and former chair of President Obama’s Global Development Council. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Mar 14, 2019 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/video/mohamed-el-erian-joins-influencers-100000239.html?soc_src=strm&soc_trk=ma Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights presented in this interview. What… Read more »

As Costs Skyrocket, More U.S. Cities Stop Recycling

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

Description: With China no longer accepting used plastic and paper, communities are facing steep collection bills, forcing them to end their programs or burn or bury more waste. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Mar 16, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/16/business/local-recycling-costs.html Questions for discussion: What are the financial details driving the decision-making in this situation? What are some likely solution-oriented… Read more »

Modern Monetary Theory explained by Stephanie Kelton

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

Description: Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) is gaining traction in American politics, energizing the progressive left and roiling deficit hawks. Stephanie Kelton, who advised Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, explains the basics. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Mar 08, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/03/01/stephanie-kelton-explains-modern-monetary-theory.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points that explain the theory and the… Read more »

Opinion: U.S. corporate leaders are getting worried about a recession

Posted by & filed under Economic Analysis, Growth & Valuation, Personal Finance.

Description: Latest earnings calls reflect growing concerns about the economy Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Mar 15, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-corporate-leaders-are-getting-worried-about-a-recession-2019-03-15?mod=mw_theo_homepage Questions for discussion: What is the basis for a slowdown at this time, according to the report? Do you agree with the assessment? What should investors do, given the information in the article?