In a recent article in Accounting Today, Baruch Lev discusses the poor quality and low relevance of corporate financial statements due to “a sad state of accounting standards.” Questions: Briefly list the three suggestions presented by Baruch Lev meaningful new agendas for accounting regulators. What examples does Professor Lev present as supporting the U.S. accounting… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Financial statements
SEC helps the mom and pop investors
According to Business Insider, the Securities and Exchange Commission is stepping up scrutiny of mutual fund investments in private companies, according to people with knowledge of the agency’s interest. Questions: What has been the problem with mutual funds investing in companies like Airbnb or WeWork? Which case is notorious for spiking the SEC’s interest in… Read more »
Free Shipping!
As Walmart, Target and Amazon launch a price war for merchandise in the weeks before Thanksgiving, they are now wooing customers with the promise of fast, efficient, no-cost shipping. On Monday, Amazon upped the ante by expanding free shipping to all customers through the holidays, with no minimum purchase required. Questions: 1. What do Prime… Read more »
RIP – Coca-Cola Quietly Snuffs out Diet Coke Variations
If you were a fan of Diet Coke’s variations of lime, lemon, mango, orange, and cherry, they have been quietly phased out of stores and online. Questions: 1. When were the products launched? (click on the hyperlink in the article which says: “massive overhaul of Diet Coke”) 2. The move was made to attract millenials…. Read more »
Cashing in
According to Bloomberg.com, Google Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai is about to have a very big week. Questions: 1. An award of 353,939 restricted shares he received before a promotion in 2014 will vest. What does this mean? 2. How big it the payout to this executive? 3. How did the award swell in value?… Read more »
The Disappearing Debt Suddenly Reappears!
Jackie Esposito, of Guilford, Conn., got a letter that said her debt with JPMorgan Chase was canceling the amount she owed on a home equity account. While most people would be excited to get such a letter, Ms. Esposito was not. That is because Ms. Esposito had the debt legally wiped out three years ago… Read more »
Hard Rock Expansion Plans
The franchise, Hard Rock Café, is known for its rock’n’roll memorabilia. Located around the globe, the franchise is expanding its reach into hotels and casinos. Questions: 1. When did the franchise begin? 2. Strategically, why is the move into casinos a good, but difficult one? 3. The franchise rotates more than 70,000 pieces of music… Read more »
Computers are great when they work……
The Knight Capital Group announced that losses they sustained on Wednesday, August 1, were the result of a computer glitch and now threaten the stability of the Jersey City firm. At the heart of this, the firm lost $440 million when it sold stocks that it accidentally bought Wednesday morning. Questions: 1. On Thursday, what… Read more »
Security for the Super Rich
Dan Clark has been Warren Buffett’s bodyguard for almost two decades. Since Clark has cultivated his security skills, he has started a security company that now employs 150 guards and he has safeguarded others like Sarah Palin, George Clooney, Barack Obama, and the Iraqi Judge who oversaw the trial of Saddam Hussein, when they visited… Read more »
Super Bowl Sunday!
Well it’s almost time for the Super Bowl again. So get the snacks ready in front of the big screen TV. But what comes with the game and half-time? Of course, the commercials. However, the hoopla behind Super Bowl ads has spawned a team of skeptics. Growing research shows the $3.5 million that advertisers pay… Read more »