Description: Deep below a lush landscape of ripening Champagne grapes, Thierry Gasco, the master vintner for Pommery, ran his finger over the shoulders of a dark green bottle that looked just like the thousands of others reposing in his chilly subterranean cellars. But to the practiced hand and eye, there is a subtle, if potentially… Read more »
Posts Tagged: The Financial System (p558)
Money managers are optimistic — but their clients aren’t
Description: A majority of investment advisers say that a double-dip recession is unlikely and that the stock market will improve over the next six months — but their clients are more worried, according to a survey of money managers released Wednesday by financial-services firm Charles Schwab Corp. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 08/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/money-managers-are-optimistic-but-clients-arent-2010-08-25?pagenumber=1 Questions… Read more »
USA Today to Remake Itself to Stress Digital Operations
Description: The history of USA Today is full of firsts for the newspaper business: the first general-interest national paper of its kind, the first to use color widely in charts and photographs and once first in the number of copies printed each day. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/media/28paper.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you… Read more »
Starbucks looks for pick-me-up
Description: Despite a run of weak earnings and store closings, the coffee shop operator is gearing up for international expansion. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/08/20/mkts_starbucks_jolt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think Starbucks is a good investment today? What has the company done to improve its financial condition? Do you think its… Read more »
The New GM to hit market with new hopes, old ghosts
Description: The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20 Questions for discussion: Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with… Read more »
In Striking Shift, Small Investors Flee Stock Market
Description: Renewed economic uncertainty is testing Americans’ generation-long love affair with the stock market. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 08/21/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22invest.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you think the small investor’s attitude toward the stock market will continue to become more negative? What has caused this change in attitude? What could cause a reversal? Why is the… Read more »
digits: Oracle Takes Sweeping Shot at Google
 Description: Oracle Corp. has sued Google Inc. for patent and copyright infringement, on grounds that Google’s Android OS violates Java copyrights. The suit has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Don Clark explains the possible implications of the suit to Simon Constable and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries. Also: are more TV shows and movies coming to the… Read more »
Teen stores lead declines among disappointing July sales
Description: With teen unemployment at triple the rate of the already high national average and consumer confidence at its lowest level since February, retail chains posted disappointing July sales numbers, signaling that promotions may intensify for the pivotal back-to-school selling period. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 08/05/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/teen-stores-pace-retailers-july-sales-shortfall-2010-08-05?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: Why do you think… Read more »
BP chooses Dudley, an American, to turn its fortunes around
Description: BP’s new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that sealed the deal for the board. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 07/27/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bp-appoints-robert-dudley-as-new-ceo-2010-07-27?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: Why do you suppose a new… Read more »
Economic Indicator: Even Cheaper Knockoffs
Description: In this economy, even counterfeiters are trading down. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/31/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/business/economy/01knockoff.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What are the reasons presented for the move towards cheaper knockoffs? What can firms do about this problem? How is this activity an economic indicator?