Source: Bloomberg News Date: 4/24/2009 Keys: Finance, cash management, investing, government Link: http://www.bloomberg.com Questions for discussion: What is the connection between discounts and incentives offered to customers and the cash requirements of the Ford? Do you think Ford will be able to outperform GM and Chrysler and remain operational without the need government funding? Explain… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Uncategorized
New home sales show signs of revival
Sales of newly constructed homes are showing indications, ever so slight, that the housing decline may be near an end, a government report showed Friday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 4/24/2009 Keys: Economics, supply & demand, marketing, pricing Link: http://money.cnn.com Questions for discussion: Housing is a major economic factor that determines employment and production levels in many… Read more »
CBS Sticks to Independent Web Strategy, and Agencies Cheer
Recent reports suggest premium video portal Hulu is on the verge of selling a stake to Disney-ABC Television Group and hosting Disney/ABC content on the site. If a deal happens, Hulu — already backed by NBCU and News Corp. — will be just one partner short of achieving a monopoly among broadcast giants. And that… Read more »
U.S. Stocks Advance on BB&T Profit, Consumer Confidence Report
U.S. stocks rose, heading for a sixth week of gains, after BB&T Corp. said housing markets are stabilizing and better-than-expected gauge of confidence drove consumer shares higher. Source: Bloomberg News Date: 4/17/2009 Keys: Economy, stock market, investing Link: http://www.bloomberg.com Questions for discussion: How does the latest stock market and economic news compare to your sense… Read more »
Fiat could ditch Chrysler
Italian car maker says it could abandon partnership talks with the ailing Detroit company if labor concessions aren’t made. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 4/15/2009 Keys: International business, marketing, government, bankruptcy Link: http://money.cnn.com Questions for discussion: What would you advise Chrysler to do? Do you think the deal makes sense for Fiat? What would you do if… Read more »
Hyundai’s $50,000 Puzzle: How to Sell New Luxury Car
Hyundai Motor Co. Chairman Chung Mong Koo insisted the revamped Equus luxury sedan meet all regulations in the U.S., where Hyundai’s flagship has never been sold. Now the U.S. unit has to figure out how to sell a car that costs as much as eight times more than its Accent compacts. Source: Bloomberg News Date:… Read more »
Economic Free-fall coming to an end
Presidential adviser Larry Summers is optimistic for an economic turnaround. Source: ABCNews – video report Date: 4/10/2009 Keys: Economic indicators, business cycle, forecasting sales Link: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7305232 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with Larry Summers’ forecast? Explain your reasoning. What do you think of the predictors of economic activity mentioned in the article? What other… Read more »
Forget banks, keep an eye on trucks
Transportation stocks have outperformed the broader market lately. That’s a good sign as long as freight shippers say the economy is stabilizing. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 4/10/2009 Keys: Stock market, forecasting, marketing Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/10/markets/thebuzz/index.htm?postversion=2009041012 Questions for discussion: To investors in the stock market, earnings are the primary indicators of a firm’s financial wellbeing. The focus is… Read more »
Madoff’s Secret: Keep Mum When Asked About Methods
Bernard Madoff conned even the most sophisticated of clients, such as Fairfield Greenwich Group, through a simple tactic whenever he was asked probing questions: He refused to answer or he lied.. Source: Bloomberg News Date: 4/03/2009 Keys: Investing, government, regulation, ethics, law Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601170&refer=special_report&sid=asYX4sfz1XhY Questions for discussion: What lessons did you learn about risk and… Read more »
YouTube Partners with Universal Music
YouTube has partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG) to launch a new music video service called Vevo. Under their agreement, YouTube will provide the infrastructure for a new site at Vevo.com, to be populated with video from artists on UMG-owned labels such as Decca, Def Jam, Mercury Records, and Verve. YouTube will also host those… Read more »
