Converting Algae to Ethanol and into Money
March 29, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Algae producers like Algenol — backed by Bill Gates, Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical and the U.S. government, among others — work with the green plant to convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into biofuel. Steve Gelsi reports.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 03/15/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think this sort of technology would be a high risk to investors?
- How would you go about evaluating the price of the stock?
- Does this sort of technology represent any special economic development opportunities for countries with access to sunlight and saltwater, like Florida?
- Does this technology represent any threat to conventional energy producers?
- Would it make sense for conventional energy producers to get involved in this effort?
Consumer watchdog may be too weak, advocates say
March 29, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Far-reaching legislation aimed at overhauling the nation’s financial-services regulatory system is moving forward in Congress, but advocates say some of the proposed consumer protections are too weak.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 03/25/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Do you believe consumers need a high level of legislation to protect them from the financial services industry?
- What sorts of problems do you attribute to poor consumer protection laws?
- Why do you think some people might feel differently about consumer protection legislation for financial services in comparison to other services and products in the marketplace?
U.S. Economy: Profit Surge May Help Broaden Expansion
March 29, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: The fastest pace of economic growth in six years during the final three months of 2009 fueled a surge in corporate profits that may set the stage for job gains and a broadening of the U.S. recovery.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 03/26/2010
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aorqXG5sfGeY
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons given for economic and stock market optimism?
- Do you agree with these opinions favoring economic improvement?
- How do you expect the financial markets to perform in the next 12 months?
F.D.A. Says Millions Got Unapproved Heart Pills
March 29, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Doctors in the United States wrote more than four million prescriptions last year for nitroglycerin tablets, heart drugs placed under the tongue to reduce the chest pain angina or to stop a heart attack.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 03/26/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/business/27nitro.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think the F.D.A. is only now acting on this matter?
- Do you believe that pharmacies that sell these unapproved drugs are unethical?
- Is this a case of a monopoly (Pfizer) trying to control the marketplace?
Why a $14/hour employee costs $20
March 29, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: You probably cost your boss a lot more than you think you do.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 03/26/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/26/smallbusiness/employee_costs/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- In general, do you think these taxes (costs) are fair to employers and employees?
- Why would any exemptions for employment taxes be considered an unfair competitive subsidy by other businesses who must continue to pay?
- Is there a better way to pay for entitlement programs delivered by governments and still help stimulate hiring?
Digits: Who Stands to Win if Google Exits China?
March 22, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Hopes are fading that Google will be able to reach an agreement with China to remain in business there. With an exit by Google, a big chunk of the search market would be up for grabs, Ben Worthen reports on Digits with Stacey Delo, Eric Savitz and Marcelo Prince.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 03/15/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for Baidu stock increases.
- Do you think Google is right or wrong to leave China?
- Is there another way for investors to play the Chinese internet market if Google pulls out?
- If Microsoft agrees to the play by the Chinese government rules and replaces Google in the marketplace there, do you believe that decision would hurt the Microsoft brand image elsewhere?
Palm shares may hit $0: Analysts
March 22, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Palm’s future already looked bleak. But after reporting worse than expected results for the third quarter Thursday, some analysts think the company’s stock is now essentially worthless.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 03/19/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/19/technology/palm_target_price_zero/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for Palm’s demise.
- Do believe there is hope for the stock?
Nike jumps to record high as results promise strong demand
March 22, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Shares of Nike Inc. jumped to an all-time high Thursday after the No. 1 athletic-shoe company reported unexpectedly strong profits and product orders for its fiscal third quarter, driven by improved demand in Western Europe and China.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 03/18/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nike-jumps-after-results-promise-continued-demand-2010-03-18
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for the growth in Nike stock value?
- Explain the reasons for the growth in sales of their products.
- How important is the Nike brand in this market?
- How do global demographic and economic trends affect the firm?
At Lehman, Watchdogs Saw It All
March 22, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Almost two years ago to the day, a team of officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York quietly moved into the headquarters of Lehman Brothers. They were provided desks, phones, computers — and access to all of Lehman’s books and records. At any given moment, there were as many as a dozen government officials buzzing around Lehman’s offices.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 03/15/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/16/business/16sorkin.html
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the explanation given for the concern over the way Lehman Brothers was being managed.
- Do you consider any behaviors unethical or illegal?
- Do you hold the SEC responsible for anything?
Avoid Negative-Net-Worth Stocks Like the Plague: John Dorfman
March 22, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: I rarely buy a stock whose debt is greater than stockholders’ equity, or corporate net worth per share. In effect, that means I won’t give a second look to about one third of U.S. stocks.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 03/15/2010
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=aReZz0vi1B5U
Questions for discussion:
- In general, do you agree with this analysis and strategy for investing in stocks?
- Could there be exceptions to the rule?
- Why do you suppose that stocks that fail the Dorfman rule are still so valued by the investors?
