Description:  The final judgment of the official inquiry into the 2008 financial crisis — that it was an avoidable disaster, brought about by regulatory neglect and Wall Street recklessness — was an admonition to the government never to let it happen again. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 01/29/2011 Link: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/never-again/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the report… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Stocks
Dow’s Surge to 12,000 Echoes Last Time Market Slumped
Description: nvestors who pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 12,000 for the first time since 2008 this week may be getting ahead of themselves. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/28/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-28/dow-s-surge-to-12-000-echoes-last-time-market-slumped.html Questions for discussion:Â Summarize the basic arguments made in the report. Do you agree that the market is ahead of where it belongs? How… Read more »
Hub Extra: How Nervous Should Apple Investors Be?
Description: With many questions unanswered about Steve Jobs’ medical leave of absence, Wall Street Journal ‘ROI’ columnist Brett Arends says the news is ominous for investors. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 01/17/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/hub-extra-how-nervous-should-apple-investors-be/BFCF78EB-4250-4572-83E5-62975923A6E3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions made about the importance of Steve Jobs to the success of Apple. Do you… Read more »
Volcker Rule May Work, Even if Vague
Description:  Paul A. Volcker is a giant of financial history. He played a behind-the-scenes role when the United States abandoned the gold standard in 1971. He restored credibility to the Federal Reserve and slew inflation a decade later. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 01/20/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/21/business/21norris.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the report and the meaning of… Read more »
SecondMarket trading doubles in private company stock
Description:Â Investors spent $158 million snapping up shares of privately held companies like Facebook on SecondMarket’s platform last quarter — twice the volume the exchange had just one quarter earlier. Source:Â CNNMoney.com Date: 01/22/2011 Link:Â http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/21/technology/secondmarket_q4/index.htm Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about the Secondmarket environment and the firms on the list? Would… Read more »
Prada Said to Decide on IPO by End of Month, Open 90 Stores
Description: Prada SpA, the Italian fashion company that has scrapped initial public offerings four times in 11 years, may decide to proceed with an IPO by the end of the month, according to two people familiar with the situation. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/21/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-01-21/prada-said-to-decide-on-ipo-by-end-of-month-open-90-stores.html Questions for discussion: What are the positive and negative implications… Read more »
Don’t forget about commodities
Description: Commodities surged last year on strong emerging markets and a weak dollar, but investors wonder if the momentum can last through 2011. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/13/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/13/n_bz_commodities_2010.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions presented in this report. Do you agree with them? Do you believe that “speculation†rather than real… Read more »
Skype CEO: Only 6% of users pay
Description: Despite a small base of paying users, the VOIP and video chat service is still profitable. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/01/13/t_connected_skype.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Can Skype be sustainable when only 6% of users pay anything for services? How can Skype convert the growing customer base to more revenue generation? Do you… Read more »
JPMorgan Posts Strong Profit as Crisis Fades
Description: JPMorgan Chase kicked off the banking industry’s earnings season on Friday with news that its profits surged 48 percent last year amid signs that consumers and businesses had slowly regained their balance in the aftermath of the financial crisis. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/jpmorgans-fourth-quarter-profits-rise-47-to-4-8-billion/?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the explanation for the… Read more »
Corporate tax reform: Talk grows louder
Description:Â There’s the sweet deal for companies that make Puerto Rican rum. Or the tax break intended to promote U.S. manufacturing but that’s so broad it can include the making of hamburgers. The list goes on. Welcome to the American corporate tax code, which is front and center for a possible overhaul. Source:Â CNNMoney.com Date:… Read more »
