Description: Fortune’s Allan Sloan talks about investing in boring old blue-chip stocks given the lack of other viable options these days. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/08/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/12/07/mkts_allan_sloan.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the investing strategies recommended in this report? Do you think they make sense today?
Posts Categorized: Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
No lines at eBay’s pop-up shop
Description: The online giant has opened a holiday pop-up store in the U.K. where shoppers can purchase items with their phones and have it delivered to their homes. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 12/02/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/12/02/t-ts-ebay-popup.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What are the advantages and disadvantages of this sort of retailing strategy? Who are the… Read more »
1998 all over again for IPOs
Description: Angie’s List is the latest dot-com to go public with a questionable business model, joining the ranks of Groupon, Pandora, and soon Yelp. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report com Date: 11/18/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/11/18/mkts_am_buzz_angi.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How do you explain the success of these IPOs? Do you think investors are repeating mistakes made in… Read more »
HP: Nowhere to go but up?
Description: I started the week with a column about IBM (IBM, Fortune 500), so it’s only fitting that I end the week with a piece about a company I like to call IBM Lite. Or “Little Blue,” if you will. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/18/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/18/technology/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_LN Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in… Read more »
Europe’s Impact on U.S. Stocks
Description:    Barrons.com Stocks Editor Bob O’Brien makes a stop on Mean Street to discuss the relationship between the European debt crisis and the U.S. economy. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 11/07/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/europe-impact-on-us-stocks/0F5C104D-4734-404D-BED8-E6A1618F8A1E Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented for concern over the European debt crisis. How is the global economy affected by… Read more »
Robot army helps run warehouses
Description: The future of warehouses may be one with fast shipments and few human employees if robots like Kiva Systems continue to invade the workplace. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report com Date: 11/09/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/11/08/ts_kiva_robotics_robot.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How can this system improve productivity in a warehouse? How would a financial manager make a decision… Read more »
2012 could be a good year for the markets
Description: Commentary: With incumbent in presidential race, stocks gain Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 11/11/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/2012-could-be-a-good-year-for-the-markets-2011-11-11 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons 2012 could be a good year. Do you agree with these arguments?
Analysts like Demand Media. Its writers? Not so much
Description: The company turned in solid quarterly results that analysts cheered. But the site’s writers are telling a very different story. Source: Fortune.com Date: 11/11/2011 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/11/demand-media-writers/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Describe the business model for this firm. How is production controlled? Do you think Google’s actions were fair-minded? What should the company do in the… Read more »
Groupon: Investor Beware!
Description: In his On the Mark segment, Evan Newmark says Friday’s Groupon IPO should be waded through with caution by investors, because it is another example of Wall Street shenanigans. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 11/04/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/groupon-investor-beware/5DE4D58B-F543-470C-880B-4F2183A8AE19 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons presented why investors should stay away from this stock. Do… Read more »
Apple’s Supply-Chain Secret? Hoard Lasers
Description: The iPhone maker spends lavishly on all stages of the manufacturing process, giving it a huge operations advantage Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/03/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/apples-supplychain-secret-hoard-lasers-11032011.html Questions for discussion: Why does Apple have a competitive advantage in R&D over other firms? How important is the scale of production to Apple’s success in R&D and production?
