Description: Republican leaders in Congress say they have “deep concerns†about Ben S. Bernanke’s second round of quantitative easing. The U.S. stock and credit markets don’t share those reservations. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 12/17/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-17/stocks-rising-17-since-bernanke-disclosed-qe2-disarms-fed-s-worst-critics.html Questions for discussion: Why have the markets reacted as they have since the beginning of quantitative easing by the… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Stocks
RIM shares up on earnings; questions remain
Description: While investors have bid up shares of Research In Motion Ltd. significantly over the past few months, Wall Street remains cool on the maker of the BlackBerry smartphone franchise — despite it’ relatively strong performance this year. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 12/17/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/rim-results-keep-wall-street-divided-2010-12-17 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reported financial results for RIM and… Read more »
Title Costco Wholesale Profit Increases on Gasoline, Grocery Sales
Title Costco Wholesale Profit Increases on Gasoline, Grocery Sales Description: Costco Wholesale Corp. posted a 17 percent increase in first-quarter profit, surpassing some analystsà estimates, as membership fees boosted revenue for the largest U.S. warehouse-club chain Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 12/08/2010 C-T Economic Analysis,  Company Analysis – Investing Strategies, Stocks Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-08/costco-wholesale-first-quarter-profit-gains-17-on-gasoline-grocery-sales.html Questions for discussion:  Summarize… Read more »
U.S. Stocks Gain as Commodities Rally Offsets Jobs Data
Description: Bloomberg’s Deborah Kostroun reports on the performance of the U.S. equity market today. U.S. stocks rose, extending the biggest weekly gain in a month, as a rally in energy and metals producers after the dollar fell offset concern that slower-than-estimated growth in payrolls will hamper the economy. Bloomberg’s Pimm Fox also speaks. Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »
Bank Dividends May Be Coming Back
Description: JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and other large players may soon follow Comerica’s lead in boosting their quarterly payouts. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 11/24/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_49/b4206050293663.htm Questions for discussion: What is the significance of the return of bank dividend payments? What advantages and disadvantages are there to the banks that decide to make dividend payments… Read more »
Dell’s profit grows, but sales come up short
Description: Dell Inc. reported that booming sales to businesses sharply lifted its profit last quarter, even as consumer sales disappointed. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 11/18/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/18/technology/dell_earnings/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the results presented for Dell? What do these results suggest about operations? Would you be a buyer of Dell stock?
Why gold is a bad investment
Description: Precious metal lures susceptible buyers into a Midas crush Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-gold-is-a-bad-investment-2010-11-12 Questions for discussion: How do you explain the run up in gold prices? Do you agree with the assessment of risk presented in the report? Would you invest in gold today? Would you invest in gold mining companies?… Read more »
The slaying of the Celtic Tiger
Description: Anglo Irish Bank’s unfinished head office pokes into the sky on Dublin’s North Wall Quay, a silent testimony to the rise and fall of the Celtic Tiger. Source: TheGlobeandMail.com  Date: 11/12/2010 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/the-slaying-of-the-celtic-tiger/article1797583/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the history of the Irish economic experience. What do you think will happen to Irish markets… Read more »
AIG loses $2.4 billion on asset sales
Description: AIG said Friday that it lost $2.4 billion in the third quarter on sales of insurance units, proceeds of which it plans to use to pay back the U.S. government. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 11/05/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/05/news/companies/aig/index.htm Questions for discussion: What were the reasons for AIG losses? How should investors react to this new… Read more »
Whole Foods reconsiders dividend
Description: Turnaround gains strength. Year-to-date, shares up 72% Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 11/04/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/momentum-builds-whole-foods-weighs-dividend-2010-11-04 Questions for discussion: How do you explain the turnaround in share value at this firm? What is your assessment of the various financial metrics reported in the article? Would you invest in the firm today?
