Accounting & Investing Info for San Antonio A & M
Monday November 5 2012 The drop from $700 as seen a flood or negative articles on Apple.
Apple sold out its white mini iPad in two days, I bet MSFT does not do that with the Surface, speaking of faltering firms. But yes the huge gains of the last decade will not happen again in the next decade.
Monday November 5 2012
I mentioned the national IMA Student Achievement Conference was here in San Antonio this past Thursday Friday Saturday. I know that Richard Sanchez and Josefina Hernandez both attended. My sources tell me that a third student from TAMUSA attended. If so who are you? Please step forward and identify yourself. I have asked Richard and Josefina to both put their thoughts and impressions to paper about the conference.
There is an IMA group here in San Antonio that meets once a month on Thursday evenings. Learn more
at this hyperlink. I will be posting more on thiis as Iget feedback frrom those that attended the conference.
Weekend November 3-4, 2012
The formal ground breaking for the next two buildings at the Main Campus came off as scheduled.
The day had a military theme as one building , Patriots' Casa, will be dedicated to Military Students. All branches of the service were on hand and we were there to commemorate the event.
By the way, has anyone noticed the fountain?
There were food trucks and food booths, this couple was running the Chik Fil A stand.
All branches of the service had a presence at the event.
The construction is actually under way but there are artist renderings of what the buildings are expected to become.
There cermony got underway at 4:00 PM. Several Members of the Board of Regents were present as well as the Chairman Richard Box and Chancellor John Sharp.
Dr. Maria Ferrier addresses the gathering.
That's accounting Student Melissa Quintanilla
to the right of President Ferrier. Melissa is President of TAMUSA Student Government this year.
Chancellor John Sharp suggested Dr.Ferrier would be 6 feet 5 inches tall if her accomplishments
translated into height.
The School of Business was well represented. That's Provost Brent Snow at far right enjoying a shady moment with our group. Oh, I was holding the camera…
That would be Professor Gilbert Barrera in the Secret Service outfit complete with Ray Ban Style
Aviators and Professor Richard Green on the right.
Thursday Nov 1 2012
Both Mitt and Barack are taking aim at tax free muni bond interest. Since muni bond investors do not pay tax on the interest they collect, municipalities are able to pay lower rates on their debt. Eliminating this perk will shift a higher cost to municipalities.
I sincerely hope the nation's mayors and governors just say not to this idea, spend less money Washington.
George Lucas sold his Star Wars franchise to Disney for $ 54 B in stock and cash. Given that the estate tax is lower this year than next, if he dies before Dec 31, I suppose this would be perfect estate planning. But as it is he pays the lower capital gains tax which increases next year.
Disney does a wonderful job of trotting out its old films for each new generation of six year olds that has not seen them. So Star Wars fits perfectly with their franchise of updating and coming out with a new episode every few years.
Thursday Nov 1 2012
Here is a good article on auditing information technology. I am a member of the IIA, looks like this will be a good source of information for us.
thursday Nov 1 2012
Have you read the MBA best seller, Case In Point? as the article says it is the biggest business book you never heard of. It is all about how to prepare for a tough interview. The Amazon link is here.
Preparation is crucial, over preparation is fatal. Don't sound too scripted…
I doubt many students belong to Toastmasters. I suspect that would be the better preparation route.
Wednesday October 31 2012 The prospect of a 75% tax rate on well to do French Citizens is bringing more homes to market. Laws, of course in France, restrict the number of properties for sale so this apparently brings the market more in balance. If the French are selling, who is buying? INdividuals outside the country who would not be subject to the increased tax on the income of French citizens living and earning in France. Which of course means more foreigners will reside in France. And so the French create their own displacement of Frenchmen and women.
On a related note, the head of the World Trade Organization declares that France is no longer competitive with Europe.
Or probably with any other country. The preference for social welfare has left a feather bed economy, this where England was in 1980 but then England was capable of changing.
Wed October 31 2012
The Children's Investment Fund Foundation will loan $400 M ot Los Angeles based CIM group to construct 432 Park. 432 Park will be (really?) the tallest residential building in America at 1395 feet. A CIM principal notes that his firm is obtaining debt that is low priced and flexible, flexible presumably for the borrower not the lender. CIM has raised 2/3 of the $1.245 Billion price tag in equity. But the $400 M is a non recourse loan meaning that 432 Park will be the only collateral.
The average asking price is $5800 a square foot and about a dozen are actually under contract, wow,
talk about a secured deal! For perspective which is what we provide here, that means a 2,000 sf condo would fetch $11.6 million. I checked the numbers on my Big Red Debt Calculator twice and yes that would be for one condo.
What could go wrong? So we have the Kingdom Tower at one kilometer going up in Saudi,. the tallest building ever on the West Coast, possibly with no tenants signed up, and now 432 Park the tallest residential building ever at one of the highest per sf prices ever.
Social Mood is peaking….
Professor Elam 