Description:  Shares in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc (GMCR.O) tumbled 14 percent on Friday, on fears that it may lose its near monopoly in the U.S. single-cup coffee market after partner Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) outlined plans to launch a rival coffee and espresso machine. Source: Reuters.com Date: 03/09/2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/us-greenmountaincoffeeroasters-shares-idUSBRE8280MF20120309 Questions for discussion: Why have… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Understanding Accounting and Financial Statements (p498)
How Twitter predicts the stock market
Description: If you think tweets are worthless, you’re wrong. A professor has developed a program that uses tweets to predict where markets are headed. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/21/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/02/20/mkts_twitter_markets.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What is the basis for thinking that Twitter can help predict stock market activity? Do you think this makes… Read more »
For Small Theaters, the Digital Future Is Dark
Description: Independent movie houses scramble to pay for expensive new gear Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/for-small-theaters-the-digital-future-is-dark-02162012.html Questions for discussion: Why are smaller theatres having financial problems? Describe the solutions being presented. How else can they respond to the challenges?
The euro dream that became a nightmare
Description:  When countries post a 40% youth unemployment rate, you know something is terribly wrong. The last time developed countries experienced such an employment disaster was during the Great Depression, and it is a moot question as to whether the current period will prove to be worse for the southern European countries than the Great… Read more »
The Business Of Lin
Description: From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report. Do you think this phenomenon can last? What strategic plans… Read more »
Stocks are up, but they’re still cheap
Description: Stocks are soaring, but investors who buy in now may still be getting a deal of a decade, based on metrics of how pricey the market is. Source: USAToday.com Date: 02/08/2012 Link:  http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/stocks/story/2012-02-08/stocks-still-cheap/53017416/1 Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments made in this report? Do you agree with them?
The $1.6 Billion Woman, Staying on Message
Description: SEVENTY-TWO hours before Facebook’s big moment, Sheryl K. Sandberg was half a world away, hobnobbing with the likes of Bill Gates and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/03/2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/business/sheryl-sandberg-of-facebook-staying-on-message.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How would you describe Sheryl Sandberg? Do you think her gender has helped, hurt, or made no difference in… Read more »
The cloud goes Hollywood
Description:  The major film studios think they’ve found a way to sell and deliver movies online. Will consumers buy it? Source: Fortune.com Date: 02/03/2012 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/02/03/ultraviolet-digital-movies-cloud/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Do you think this format will be successful with consumers? How should the industry market the concept?
Bill Gates: Rich should pay more taxes
Description: The Microsoft founder and philanthropist says that the wealthiest Americans should pay a larger share of taxes than they do. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/26/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/01/26/n_davos_gates_occupy.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented about economic activity, incomes, taxes, and the government’s role. What is Bill Gates’ position on the key… Read more »
‘I work for one of the 10 Best Companies’
Description:  Interesting assignments, unfaltering support, stints abroad: No wonder these folks love their workplaces. Source: Fortune.com Date: 01/27/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/pf/jobs/1201/gallery.best-companies-employees.fortune/index.html Questions for discussion: What are some common characteristics of these businesses that seem to suggest why they rank among the “best� How influential is this status on employee behavior?
