Hostile Takeovers

March 9th, 2010

Unfriendly deals are becoming increasingly common, Reuters reporter Jessica Hall discusses the tactics used by firms during hostile takeovers.

Hostile takeovers have increased along with overall merger activity

Hostile takeovers have increased along with overall merger activity

Reuters Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6275W020100308

Unemployment Rate Unchanged at 9.7%

March 5th, 2010

WSJ Opinion: In Defense of Financial Speculation

March 3rd, 2010

In this Wall Street Journal Opinion article, Darrell Duffie examines the benefits of financial speculation and the importance of recognizing the difference between speculation and market manipulation.

Read Full Article

Chicago Mercantile Exchange

Chicago Mercantile Exchange

Internship Event this Friday

March 3rd, 2010

Click image to enlarge

Warren Buffett’s Letter to Shareholders

February 27th, 2010

Warren Buffett’s shareholder letters are legendary for their candid outlook on markets and Buffett’s unique perspective on the future of his company.

“Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us” -Warren Buffett

“Within a year or so, residential housing problems should largely be behind us” -Warren Buffett, Feb. 28th 2010 Image Source: Dominic Rushe, New York

The following is his 2009 address to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, released earlier today.

Full Letter Attachment

WSJ: Fannie Mae Posts 72 Billion Dollar Loss for 2009

February 26th, 2010

Fannie Mae suffered losses due to “unemployment and continued defaults from many borrowers who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth.”

Source: WSJ

The government has agreed to absorb unlimited losses for the next three years and up to $400 billion after that. So far, the companies [Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae] have taken a combined $127 billion in Treasury support

The government has agreed to absorb unlimited losses for the next three years and up to $400 billion after that for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Was The Recovery an Illusion?

February 25th, 2010

Seeking Alpha’s Daryl Montgomery seems to think so.

“A number of economic reports in the last few days indicate that the U.S. economy has not only not failed to recover from the recession, but continues to fall deeper into a hole.”

Montgomerys Opinion: Recent employment data does not bode well for the housing market

Recently released employment data does not bode well for the housing market.

WSJ: Consumer Confidence “Plunges”

February 23rd, 2010

WSJ: “U.S. consumer confidence plunged more than 10 points in February, raising concerns about the outlook for consumer spending, according to a report released Tuesday.”

The present situation index, a gauge of consumers assessment of current economic conditions fell to 19.4, its lowest point in 27 years.

The present situation index, a gauge of consumers' assessment of current economic conditions fell to 19.4, its lowest point in 27 years.

Do you have what it takes to be a trader?

February 20th, 2010

Barclays Capital has created a game to test the average person’s ability to handle stress and think quickly. The game is designed to simulate a fast-paced trading environment, but is not an assessment of any kind, or any indication of future success with Barclays Capital.

Note: Don’t forget to read the “about the game” section to learn how to play

www.barcapmindmap.com

Click the image above to start playing

Click the image above to start playing

Interview Workshop Event

February 19th, 2010
-Click to enlarge-

-Click to enlarge-

CPI Rose 0.2% in January

February 19th, 2010

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.2 percent in January, while Core Inflation unexpectedly fell for the first time since 1982.

WSJ
Gaurdian

CPI rose 0.2% in January from the previous month on the back of higher energy prices -WSJ

Seeking Alpha Opinion: Fed’s Rate Hike Insignificant

February 19th, 2010

According to Seeking Alpha’s “inflation trader,” the Fed’s decision to raise the discount rate will have little effect on inflation.

Here is the effect of hyperinflation…

An example of what ineffective monetary policy can lead to

The outcome of ineffective monetary policy

Read the full article.

Fed Raises Discount Rate

February 18th, 2010

The Dollar continued to gain strength today as the Fed announced that it would raise the discount rate (not to be confused with the Federal Funds Rate) from 0.5 percent to 0.75 percent.

Sources:

Business Week

MarketWatch

Federal Reserve Site (official release)

BB&T’s Opinion

M&A: Walgreens to acquire Duane Reade Drugstores

February 17th, 2010

New York’s well-known Duane Reade drugstores, will be acquired by Walgreen Co. for approximately 1.08 Billion USD.

WSJ

MarketWatch

Duane Reade is a popular drugstore in the New York area

Duane Reade is a popular drugstore in the New York area

AP Opinion: Recovery won’t stop growth of U.S. debt

February 14th, 2010
The National Debt Clock in New York

The National Debt Clock in New York

Source

Ex-Goldman Programmer Indicted for Robbing Proprietary Software

February 12th, 2010
Goldman Sachs used the software to execute sophisticated, high-speed and high-volume trades on various stock and commodities markets.

Goldman Sachs used the software to execute "sophisticated, high-speed and high-volume trades on various stock and commodities markets."

WSJ: Greece Gains Support from European Union Leaders

February 11th, 2010

EU Leaders have pledged to provide financial support to Greece at a summit on Thursday.

(L-R) European Central Bank (ECB) President Jean-Claude Trichet , European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Germanys Chancellor Angela Merkel, Greeces Prime Minister George Papandreou, Frances President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy

(L-R) European Central Bank (ECB) President Jean-Claude Trichet , European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou, France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Council President Herman Van Rompuy

Bernanke Outlines Future Strategy

February 10th, 2010

This morning, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke released a statement outlining the fed’s plan to tighten credit by selling off treasuries and other fixed income securities.

Bernanke plans to start testing these programs in the spring of 2010

Bernanke plans to start "testing" these programs in the spring of 2010

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