We have studied balance sheet presentation of securities in Intermediate.  Here is an article about how various mortgage companies like AHM are restating earnings estimates.  I posted this article because it is a great example of how accounting ‘estimates’ can change which changes E/S (which we are studying now) which changes the stock price which…

Globalization continues, click here to read bout the NYSE and Euro market merger.  We are studying E/S and options in Intermed II.  Exchanges facilitiate trading by providing liquid markets.  A liquid market is one which allows trading of shares easily as it matches buyers and sellers, they do not have to find one another.  Note…

We ended the grad class on Saturday with a good discussion about ethics.It was prompted by Wacy Pruitt’s review of The Big Kahuna.  This led to mention of Death of a Salesman.  I quickly realized how little the class knew about classic movies in that someone said, isn’t that an old movie?  Well I have…

Harvard Professor Pankaj Ghemawat says Tom Friedman has it all wrong-the world is not flat. In fact while we may be wired, we ain’t communicating or venturing nearly as much across national boundaries as Tom suggested. He points to the trade between the US and Canada and the lack of commuication intercepts into Russia as…

WMT has a new look, er uniform, no wait!  Seeking to change its perceived image, WMT is issuing new blue shirts (2) and an allowance (well 15 bucks) toward buying khaki pants.  The smock look is out.  Apparently WMT has decided that going up market is a matter of perception, and the customers don’t link…

Well, here we go again.  It seem the Economics Professor who managed several investment funds has managed to contract amnesia when questioned about the investments.   Once again, there is a demand for assurance by independent auditors that things are as they should be.  He may well be in the hospital to protect himself from lead…

Please click on the image at left.  While it may look like a Ouija Board to you, it makes sense to me. I would like to revert to meeting before class in Intermed II (9:00 AM) and at (8:30 AM) for the grad class on Saturday. One reason students have a hard time with equity…

Here is another example of globalization, The NYSE has merged with the European Exchange.  The NYSE has been racing to get this deal done to stay a large market as others around the world are doing the same and equities are caught behind the big commodity mergers.  Accounting wise, this will hasten the adoption of…

As usual, another great column from Jerry Flint. Here he states that unless you are a luxury botique like Porsche, it is tough being small,  Why?  Because one has to over come fixed costs and achieve economy of scale.  Apparently that is about 300,000 units for a manufacturer in the American Market.  Amazing how long…

Another part of the University Experience should be an exposure to history, art, and literature that you would not otherwise experience.  Such an example is in the WSJ review of www.monitor.org.  This is a review of the new museum dedicated to the recovery of the Union Ironclad, Monitor.  I urge you to read the article,…