When is a Raise Too Small?

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Deeb Salem, a former Goldman Sachs trader, says that after making the company in excess of $7 billion in 2010, his $8.25 million raise was not enough compensation. Questions: 1. What percentage drop was Salem’s 2010 raise as compared to his 2009 raise? What percentage drop was Salem’s 2011 raise as compared to his 2010… Read more »

Tax is not so sweet!

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According to the New York Times, a new study indicates how taxes might be used to curb consumption of sugary drinks and suggests that applying a tax based on the amount of calories contained in a serving rather than its size would be more effective. Questions: 1. What are the relationships that the study mentioned… Read more »

Making An Embarrassing Case Disappear?

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According to Michael Devine, a freelance programmer who is one of the four plaintiffs named in the suit against tech giants Apple, Google, Intel and Adobe, the companies are getting off far too lightly. With cash hoards of over $230 billion collectively, the settlement amount of this class action suit was about one-tenth of the… Read more »

Billions in American Aid Money Stolen or Wasted?

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Beginning as a small, international humanitarian not-for-profit organization in 1998, the International Relief and Development (IRD) organization has received more grants and cooperative agreements from USAID in recent years than any other nonprofit relief and development organization in the nation — $1.9 billion. Unfortunately, companies such as IRD manage hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth… Read more »

Here’s a Warning for Dog Lovers!

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Over approximately the last seven years (or 2,643 days), at least 600 dogs have died and thousands of others have been sickened by jerky treats. However, while the FDA has warned against this apparent link, the culprit has remained largely a mystery. Questions: 1. Have the illnesses only affected dogs? Why is the FDA limited… Read more »

Chiquita’s Big Deal

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Chiquita Brands International that it had agreed to acquire Fyffes, an Irish fruit and produce distributor, in an all-stock deal that valued Fyffes at about $526 million. The new firm will be called ChiquitaFyffes and will be the world’s largest producer and distributor of bananas. It is expected that the firm will have about $4.6… Read more »

Humans are Bad at Understanding Compound Interest

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Maybe you haven’t even thought about your retirement, but according to Matthew O’Brien, you should. This is particularly true if you are contributing to a 401 (k). Questions: 1. What should you look at rather than the returns when picking your 401(k) funds? 2. According to O’Brien, what do 1.25 % annual fees for retirement… Read more »

Easy Come, Easy Go… It’s only Money (and Stock)

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Facebook’s largest acquisition ever was announced this week. The company said it would pay at least $16 billion for WhatsApp, a text messaging application with 450 million users around the world who pay little or no money for it. The purchase price dwarfs the $1 billion Facebook paid for Instagram, the photo-sharing service. Questions: 1…. Read more »

Think before you Speak

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AOL recently altered its 401(k) program, by switching matching payments to one lump sum at year-end instead of throughout the year. The change was implemented, according to CEO, Tim Armstrong, because of soaring medical costs that arose in part from two families with “distressed babies.” Questions: 1. What is a 401(k)? 2. What was Armstrong’s… Read more »

FDA Cracks Down on Scary Imports That Impact Public Safety

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India is the second largest exporter of over-the-counter and prescription drugs to the U.S. However, the FDA has recently increased their inspections of these manufacturers due to falsified drug test results, safety lapses, and the sale of fake medicines. Questions: 1. What percentage of U.S. over-the-counter and generic prescription drugs are supplied by India manufacturers?… Read more »