Groupon IPO

Please read the following article and blog about it by class time Tuesday. Be sure to think about everything we talk about in class.

Also, please think/blog about the following quote from the article and what it may mean:
Groupon said it had "determined that projected cash flow from future operations would be sufficient to support our growth strategy."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/technology/chi-groupon-prices-ipo-expects-to-raise-abot-540m-20111021,0,6271092.story

Municipal Bonds and Deficits

This article is very interesting and ties very well into our unit on valuing bonds. Municipalities have been a very concerning topic in recent times. Many fear that Municipals will default, meaning they will not be able to payout their bonds. It is very important to understand that Municipal bonds are sometimes very intriguing to investors because you do not have to pay any tax on them. That is why the rates are typically low. However, lately the rates on Munies have been pretty high and that is because with more risk, investors want more return. Therefore, if a Municipal's default risk is going up, the need to issue a bond that pays more interest. This is where risk aversion comes into play. How risk averse are you?

Please read the following article and blog about it by next Thursday, class time.
http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/113588/american-cities-going-broke-247wallst

APY vs. APR

Please post about the following link on APY and APR by Sunday night (10/2/11). We are asking you to post your short blog (75-150 words) by Sunday night because APY is a concept you should understand for the test that you will be taking Monday night.

Use the following link and read the article:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/04/102904.asp#axzz1ZBF2kbsj

Motorola Ratios and Investopedia Articles

Please read the following paper on Motorola. You will learn about how financial ratios are used. We understand that this paper is a little outdated but that is O.K. because ratio analysis is used the same way today.

If you do not feel as ambitious to read the Motorola case, make sure to read the much shorter article on financial ratios from Investopedia.

After you read the article, please comment on it with your thoughts. Like we mentioned, you can either comment with your own opinion or on someone else's comment.

http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1025&context=commpapers&sei-redir=1#search=%22use%20ratios%20financial%20analysis%20article%22

http://www.investopedia.com/exam-guide/cfa-level-1/financial-ratios/uses-limitations-ratios.asp#axzz1Xq9azbBn

Students in Money Management's Round Table Discussion

Please comment on the discussion that took place at the Round Table or on any other student's response to the discussion. This post is going to be considered extra credit (1/2 pt. for the post, 1/2 pt. for attending).

Welcome!

Welcome to the Fall 2011 Semester of Finance-301!! This blog is intended for class discussion on certain issues that arise throughout the semester. This blog will also be whatever you make of it and has been created to enhance your new understanding of Finance. Therefore, lets make it great! Be sure to look for new posts.