J.P. Morgan shares slump after $2 bln trading loss

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Description:  Bank’s loss is embarrassment for CEO, fodder for regulators Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jp-morgan-shares-slump-after-2b-trading-loss-2012-05-11?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the loss. What do you believe this event will mean for the company, management, and regulators?    

Toyota RAV4 EV: Will anyone buy it?

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Description:   For anyone arguing recently that electric cars don’t stand a chance in the U.S. mass market, I would have offered one end-all example: the battery-powered Ford Focus at $40,000. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/toyota-rav4-ev-will-anyone-buy-it-2012-05-11  Questions for Discussions: Who do you think is the likely customer for this product? Is there a… Read more »

Why Delta is buying an oil refinery

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Description: Delta Air Lines tries to take out the middle man by purchasing a Pennsylvania oil refinery, but it could prove to be a risky investment. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/01/n-delta-oil-refinery.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Why did Delta management do this? What are the risks? Do you think it was… Read more »

Rattner: General Motors is undervalued

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Description: Steven Rattner, former ‘auto czar’ for the Treasury Dept., says the government should hold its GM stake until the stock rises further. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 02, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/05/01/mkts-rattner-gm-government.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What is the basis for this evaluation of GM? Do you agree with this assessment? How will a… Read more »

Groupon, the Deal That Keeps Getting Cheaper

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Description: Is Groupon (GRPN) too good of a deal to be true? Source: Busineweek.com Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-01/groupon-the-deal-that-keeps-getting-cheaper Questions for Discussions: Summarize the views expressed in this report. Why has the stock value fallen? What new strategies would you recommend to managers?  

The ‘Smartphone Class’: Always On, Always Consuming Content

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Description: Consuming content in frequent, small portions means more touchpoints for marketers Source: eMarketer.com Date: May 02, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009014&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for Discussions: Summarize behaviors of smart phone users. Do you think these behaviors will become common across all users? How should business strategists who distribute mobile content deal with this research?

7 signs of a dysfunctional boss

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Description: (MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY I’m going to go out on a limb here and say the word “dysfunctional” probably describes more people than the word “normal” does. When it comes to CEOs and executives, it’s almost certainly true. Source: CBSNews.com Date: April 25, 2012 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57420393/7-signs-of-a-dysfunctional-boss/?tag=nl.e857 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the descriptions of CEOs presented in… Read more »

Shocker! Apple makes billions

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Description: Strong global iPhone sales helped Apple beat expectations, as usual. Doubters beware – it’s hard to hate on AAPL. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/25/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/25/mkts-bz-apple-iphone.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results and the reasons there is surprise. Do you see an end for the current success of Apple?

Put Down the Smartphone and Pick Up a Pencil

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Description: Put down that smartphone; pick up that pencil. Employees are being encouraged by their companies to try visual note-taking to explain complicated concepts to colleagues and clients. Rachel Silverman explains on The News Hub. Photo: Getty Images. Source: Marketwatch – video report Date: 04/24/2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/put-down-the-smartphone-and-pick-up-a-pencil/784F0652-2269-4061-A5CF-607A22F06B01 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of the… Read more »

Wal-Mart Bribery Probe Seen as Examining Coverup Claims

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Description:   Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) may spend hundreds of millions of dollars investigating $24 million in alleged Mexican bribes as the U.S. government weighs whether the company or executives also broke the law by covering up an internal probe, former federal prosecutors said. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 04/24/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-24/wal-mart-bribery-probe-in-u-s-seen-as-examining-coverup-claims.html Questions for discussion: What are… Read more »