Madoff whistleblower blames regulators

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

Description:  Harry Markopolos, independent financial fraud investigator, says SEC regulators are at fault for failing to protect investors. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report   Date: 03/02/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/03/02/n_ss_markopolos_reg.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the arguments presented that explain the fraud? Do you believe government should regulate the financial services industry more? Explain your… Read more »

Is Dell salvageable?

Posted by & filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Computer maker’s shares fall more than 5% after the company reports a drop in fiscal fourth-quarter earnings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report   Date: 02/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/02/23/f_tm_dell_hp.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Why is Dell’s stock value falling? What would management have to do in order to improve profits? Is Dell a good candidate for merger… Read more »

Just blowing the froth off?

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: January has been the worst month for stock investors since February last year just before markets took off on a stellar risk rally. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/29/2010 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60S42520100129 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the reasons given for why the stock market might be poised to advance in February or continue on its decline. What… Read more »

Credit card usury bill coming soon in House

Posted by & filed under Part 5 Managing Technology and Information, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Several congressional Democrats said on Wednesday they plan to introduce legislation next week to cap credit card interest rates. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/25/2009 Link:  http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSTRE5AO4ZO20091125 Questions for discussion:  What the arguments for and against regulating credit card interest rates? Do you believe rates should be regulated? Explain your answer. What are the likely consequences… Read more »

Buffett buying Burlington rail in his biggest deal

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc will pay $26 billion to buy out Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp in a bet the nation’s largest rail company will benefit from a recovering U.S. economy. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/03/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE5A22A720091103 Questions for discussion: Do you think this investment will turn out to be a good one… Read more »

Exxon Mobil earnings plunge 68%

Posted by & filed under Part 5 Managing Technology and Information, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Exxon Mobil reported a 68% decline in third-quarter earnings Thursday as oil and natural gas prices tumbled from last year’s highs. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 10/29/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/29/news/companies/exxon_mobil/index.htm?postversion=2009102912 Questions for discussion:  Summarize the current financial situation for the firm. Do you think investors will punish the company stock? Explain your answer. How has the stock… Read more »

How Yahoo is betting its cloud will pay off

Posted by & filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: There was a day when information technology personnel toiled behind the scenes to make their corporate computing infrastructure work. But in the Internet era, those experts increasingly are getting starring roles in corporate computing leadership rather than being supporting cast members. Such is the case for Shelton Shugar, Yahoo’s senior vice president of cloud… Read more »