Money managers are optimistic — but their clients aren’t
August 30, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: A majority of investment advisers say that a double-dip recession is unlikely and that the stock market will improve over the next six months — but their clients are more worried, according to a survey of money managers released Wednesday by financial-services firm Charles Schwab Corp.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 08/25/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons given for money manager optimism and consumer pessimism.
- What is your perception of the current business environment from an investing point of view?
USA Today to Remake Itself to Stress Digital Operations
August 30, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: The history of USA Today is full of firsts for the newspaper business: the first general-interest national paper of its kind, the first to use color widely in charts and photographs and once first in the number of copies printed each day.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 08/27/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/media/28paper.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the reorganization effort will revitalize revenues for USA Today?
- What gives USA Today competitive advantage over other newspapers and news organizations?
- Is there anything different in their digital effort in comparison to other news sources?
- What would you recommend to the firm in order to give it some advantage over its competitors?
- Would you be an investor in stocks of the firm today?
Starbucks looks for pick-me-up
August 23, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Despite a run of weak earnings and store closings, the coffee shop operator is gearing up for international expansion.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 08/20/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/08/20/mkts_starbucks_jolt.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think Starbucks is a good investment today?
- What has the company done to improve its financial condition?
- Do you think its current strategy is better than the previous one?
The New GM to hit market with new hopes, old ghosts
August 23, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 08/20/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20
Questions for discussion:
Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with small investors?
- Should investors stay away from GM?
- Do you think the IPO is a good choice for small investors?
- Would the small investor be wiser to wait until the IPO dust has settled and then look at the possibilities of purchase?
In Striking Shift, Small Investors Flee Stock Market
August 23, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Renewed economic uncertainty is testing Americans’ generation-long love affair with the stock market.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 08/21/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22invest.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the small investor’s attitude toward the stock market will continue to become more negative?
- What has caused this change in attitude?
- What could cause a reversal?
- Why is the small investor’s attitude important to understand?
digits: Oracle Takes Sweeping Shot at Google
August 16, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Oracle Corp. has sued Google Inc. for patent and copyright infringement, on grounds that Google’s Android OS violates Java copyrights. The suit has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Don Clark explains the possible implications of the suit to Simon Constable and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries. Also: are more TV shows and movies coming to the iPad – via the cable companies?
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 08/13/2010
Questions for discussion:
- What are the financial implications for other firms if Google settles on a royalty payment schedule with Oracle?
- How will Google and Oracle be financially affected?
- On the second item, how do you think televisions shows will be distributed in the future?
- How much market share do you think the cable companies will be able to hold on to in comparison to those firms selling through wifi devices?
Teen stores lead declines among disappointing July sales
August 9, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: With teen unemployment at triple the rate of the already high national average and consumer confidence at its lowest level since February, retail chains posted disappointing July sales numbers, signaling that promotions may intensify for the pivotal back-to-school selling period.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 08/05/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/teen-stores-pace-retailers-july-sales-shortfall-2010-08-05?siteid=nwtwk
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think sales have fallen in these stores?
- Would lowering prices be a good strategy?
- What else could these retailers do besides lower prices?
- Do you think teens could be shopping, but not at these particular retailers?
BP chooses Dudley, an American, to turn its fortunes around
Description: BP’s new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that sealed the deal for the board.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 07/27/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bp-appoints-robert-dudley-as-new-ceo-2010-07-27?siteid=nwtwk
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you suppose a new chief executive was chosen?
- Do you agree with the claim that Robert Dudley was chosen as much for his passport as for his other credentials?
- Do you think this decision will make any difference in the public perception of BP?
- What other steps would you recommend to BP to help mend fences in the US and globally?
- Do you think BP will financially recover from this experience?
- Would you be a buyer or seller of BP shares?
Economic Indicator: Even Cheaper Knockoffs
August 2, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: In this economy, even counterfeiters are trading down.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 07/31/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/business/economy/01knockoff.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- What are the reasons presented for the move towards cheaper knockoffs?
- What can firms do about this problem?
- How is this activity an economic indicator?
Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Thursday’s $100 million settlement between Dell and the Securities and Exchange Commission was a reminder that the government is going after tech’s bad boys — and Intel is likely next on the feds’ list.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 07/23/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/23/technology/dell_intel/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for SEC actions against these firms?
- How would you expect investors to react to this news?
- Are the punishments appropriate?
