Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly

Posted by & 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… Read more »

Even With All Its Profits, Microsoft Has a Popularity Problem

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  MEASURED by profits, Microsoft trounces Apple and Google. In the most recent three months, Microsoft earned $4.52 billion, versus Apple’s $3.25 billion and Google’s $1.8 billion. But, dear investors, where is the love for this beaten-down company? Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 07/24/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/business/25digi.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for Microsoft’s poor… Read more »

Amazon shares fall after earnings disappoint

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Online retail giant ramps up investments, sees continued spending Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 07/23/2010 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-falls-after-earnings-disappoint-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk   Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial conditions of Amazon? Would you be concerned as an investor or as a financial manager in the firm? What would you advise management?

A Look Inside a Hedge Fund’s Black-Box Trading

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 5 Managing Technology and Information, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  A hedge fund started by four young math wizards is using a branch of artificial intelligence, called “computer learning,” to make investment decisions. Rebellion Research’s four, 20-something-year-old partners explain how their computer program “thinks” up their strategy. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/13/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/a-look-inside-a-hedge-fund-black-box-trading/BFAFFD06-F76B-4AF3-B2D1-577D3300F2AD Questions for discussion:  What do you think of… Read more »

The real test for stocks

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: The stock market’s best week in a year has restored some confidence to battered investors, but the real test begins Monday when companies start reporting second quarter profits and losses. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 07/10/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/10/markets/sunday_lookahead/index.htm   Questions for discussion: Why are profits so important at this point in time to investors? Examine the… Read more »

Vancouver’s Real Estate Bubble Trouble

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Brokers are rock stars, cabbies flip condos, and shacks are going for $1 million Source: Businessweek.com   Date: 06/24/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_27/b4185064551500.htm  Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented that explain real estate price movements in Vancouver. Do you think a bubble is forming? What might trigger prices to fall? Do you think that any of… Read more »

Wendy’s shares surge on mystery takeover offer

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Shares of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group rose 7% Friday on talk that the fast food chain could be taken over. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 06/11/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/11/news/companies/wendys_acquisition_stock/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think this merger is a good fit for these companies? What are the reasons given in the article that explains the likelihood of more mergers… Read more »

Study Says Math Deficiencies Increase Foreclosure Risk

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: IF you can’t divide 300 by 2, should you qualify for a loan? That is one of the questions raised by a new study led by a Columbia University assistant business professor, Stephan Meier, who found that borrowers with poor math skills were three times more likely than others to go into foreclosure. Source:… Read more »

Dow drops 324 points as euro sinks

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Stocks slumped Friday after a government report showed employers added fewer jobs than expected last month and the euro plunged to a new 4-year low, reviving worries about the health of the European economy. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 06/04/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/04/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the decline in the stock market?… Read more »

Rex on Techs: Don’t Write Off RIM

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  April and May may have been the cruelest months for Research In Motion, but just you wait for the new BlackBerry 6 operating system and new handsets. Rex Crum reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 05/24/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/rex-on-techs-dont-write-off-rim/84AABC3A-44F1-47E7-88F5-086FDAACECC8 Questions for discussion: What is the association between profits and stock value? How has… Read more »