What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of March 13-17, 2023

By Kuldip K. Ambastha Per the table above, the stock price of First Republic Bank (FRC), a financial institution, had a bumpy ride with three negative and two positive daily returns seen during the trading week. In the recent past, financial institutions have come under investor skepticism related to balance sheet exposures, non-diversified client bases, …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of February 21-24, 2023

By Kuldip K. Ambastha On Friday, February 24, 2023, the stock price of Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK), a software corporation, fell by -12.9% per share. While Autodesk’s latest quarterly results were relatively strong, its future guidance on earnings and free cash flow worried Wall Street. Autodesk is moving from offering multi-year contracts (with cash all paid …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of October 31-November 4, 2022

By Kuldip K. Ambastha On the trading day of Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), a major pharmaceutical and medical product provider, announced plans to acquire Abiomed, Inc. (ABMD), a medical device maker. Due to this development, for that day the stock price of Abiomed rose sharply by +49.9% per share, while the …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of November 8-12, 2021

By Kuldip K. Ambastha On Tuesday, November 9, 2021, shares of Roblox Corporation (RBLX), an online gaming and entertainment platform which brings people together over common interests, shot up by +42.2% for the trading day. (See What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of March 8-12, 2021; By Kuldip K. Ambastha for …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of August 23-27, 2021

By Kuldip K. Ambastha Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) is a leading cybersecurity company with a worldwide client list. On Tuesday, August 24, 2021, the company’s stock had a +18.6% gain for the trading day. This return was the best trading day return ever seen for the stock of Palo Alto Networks. An impressive earnings …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of March 22-26, 2021

By Kuldip K. Ambastha On Sunday, March 21, 2021, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) announced that it would be buying Kansas City Southern (KSU), for $29 billion ($25 billion in cash and equity, along with $4 billion in outstanding Kansas City Southern debt). The surprise announcement resulted in a +11.1% return for Kansas City Southern …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of October 5-9, 2020

By Kuldip K. Ambastha Morgan Stanley (MS) and Eaton Vance Corporation (EV) were in the news prominently in this past trading week. In a deal of cash plus stock, Morgan Stanley will be buying Eaton Vance Corporation for $7 billion. James Gorman, head of Morgan Stanley, announced this deal on Thursday, October 8, 2020. (On …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of July 20 – 24, 2020

By Kuldip K. Ambastha In this past week, BJ Services LLC and Ascena Retail Group (ASNA) both announced their bankruptcies. BJ Services LLC provides its services to oil & gas companies focused on North American exploration & production, and is voluntarily filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This company intends to sell its assets, and its …

What Caught Our Attention in the Investment World? – Week of February 17-21, 2020

By Kuldip K. Ambastha and Anil K. Ambastha On Tuesday, February 18, 2020, Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) and Legg Mason, Inc. (LM) made big headlines. Legg Mason returned 24.4% for the day, while Franklin Resources (AKA: Franklin Templeton) returned 6.9%. Why? Franklin Resources is buying Legg Mason, in an all-cash deal valued at $4.5 billion. …