Apple earnings soar on strong iPhone, Mac sales

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Apple Inc said Tuesday that profit rose 90% in its fiscal second quarter as it sold almost 9 million iPhones, easily topping analyst estimates in both profit and sales amid a surge in demand in international markets.

Source:  Marketwatch.com
 
Date: 04/20/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-earnings-soar-on-strong-iphone-sales-2010-04-20?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for discussion:

  • Does Apple`s current financial information suggest more of the same in the future? Why or why not?
  • How do you think management will react to this financial situation?

Coney Island Getting a $30 Million Italian Makeover

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Alberto Zamperla sweeps through the cavernous workshop here where his amusement rides are manufactured while workers measure and bang and solder enormous platforms, oddly shaped beams and assorted fiberglass vehicles

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 04/23/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/business/global/24coney.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • What are some reasons that favor the financial success of this investment?
  • How important is the location of the project?
  • Are there negative or positive aspects to this project that might affect neighboring businesses and other players?

How credit watchdogs fueled the financial crisis

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: A slew of internal e-mails from the leading credit rating agencies show employees at those firms knew of the dangers in subprime mortgages, but gave them the seal of approval anyway.

Source:  CNNMoney.com

Date: 04/24/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/23/news/economy/credit_rating_agencies_hearing/index.htm 

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you agree with the analysis presented?
  • What actions should be taken by regulators?
  • Should anyone be legally charged?

Goldman knew it profited from mortgage crisis

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Goldman Sachs officials knew their bets against mortgages, whose dramatic decline sparked the financial crisis, profited the firm, according to documents released Saturday by a Senate panel investigating the crisis.

Source:  CNNMoney.com

Date: 04/24/2010

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/24/news/companies/Goldman_Senate_documents/index.htm
 

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think Goldman did anything wrong? Explain your thinking.
  • Should there be more or less government involvement in the financial services industry?

SEC director talks tough about Goldman

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Director of Enforcement Robert Khuzami discusses the charges against Goldman Sachs during a panel at Tulane University’s Corporate Law Institute.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 04/16/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/04/16/n_Goldman_SEC_lawsuit_Khuzami.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the accusations against Goldman and Paulson?
  • Is this just a matter of full disclosure?
  • What impact do you think this action will have on Goldman, Paulson, and other financial firms in general?

Top tech companies 5 years from now

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Now that 2010’s Fortune 500 list is out, Techmate debates which companies are likely to rise or fall on the list in 2015.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 04/16/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/04/16/tm_fortune_500_5yrs.fortune/

 Questions for discussion:

  • Do you agree with the analysis presented? Explain your thinking.

Small businesses don’t see recovery panning out: NFIB

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business.

Description: U.S. small-business owners were more pessimistic in March than in February, according to a survey of companies released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Businesses

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: 04/13/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/small-businesses-dont-see-recovery-nfib-survey-2010-04-13?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons given for the small business owners’ pessimism about economic recovery.
  • Do you think this sentiment  matters? If so, in which ways?

Web Coupons Know Lots About You, and They Tell

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: For decades, shoppers have taken advantage of coupons. Now, the coupons are taking advantage of the shoppers. A new breed of coupon, printed from the Internet or sent to mobile phones, is packed with information about the customer who uses it.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 04/16/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/business/media/17coupon.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the improved value of these new technology coupons in comparison to traditional coupons that customers have used for years.
  • Do you think there is any potential problem with these new coupons?
  • How can marketers handle the ethical questions concerning customers’ right to privacy and security?

Toyota Investors Defy Consumer Reports to Revive Market Value

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Some Toyota Motor Corp. investors say the automaker’s stock is a bargain and poised for gains after recalls involving its top-selling models and criticism of its newest sport-utility vehicle.

Source:  Bloomberg.com

Date: 04/16/2010

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aXKgFz4p8BCw
 

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the arguments supporting those investors who believe that Toyota stocks are currently undervalued.
  • Do you agree with the analysis presented? Explain your thinking.

Harley-Davidson shares jump 11%

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Shares of the motorcycle-maker jump to their highest level in 3 months after analysts predict improving sales.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 04/06/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/04/06/mkts_harley_davidson_motorcycle.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain the connections between Harley’s marketing success and its stock market valuation?
  • Why do you suppose Harley’s sales have improved?
  • Who do you think is driving sales growth at Harley?
  • Do you believe that this growth is sustainable?