Description: Pfizer (U.S.-based company) will merge with Allergan (Irish-based company) in a $160 billion mega-merger. This is the biggest deal ever in the Pharmaceutical industry. The deal involves Allergan taking over Pfizer – this is being termed as an ‘inversion’ deal. Source: CBC Date: November 23, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2679340898 Questions for Discussion: What is an inversion… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Video Report
Hewlett-Packard – A monumental split
Description: On Monday November 2, 2015, HP—valued at $50 billion—will split in two equally sized companies. The split is the latest rehabilitation effort to turnaround the company. However, this strategy is in contrast to the consolidation strategy prevalent in the IT sector Source: Financial Times Date: November 01, 2015 Video and Text Link: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/222a9a40-7f22-11e5-98fb-5a6d4728f74e.html#axzz3qHsXxPJR Questions for Discussion:… Read more »
Should Quebec bailout Bombardier?
Description: Quebec will give $1 billion to bailout Bombardier. Bombardier reported a $4.9 billion loss in Q3. With this investment, Quebec is hoping that Bombardier’s CSeries jet airliners will eventually succeed. Source: CBC Date: October 29, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2678070928/ Questions for Discussion: Should governments bailout large corporations? Does Quebec have good reasons to invest taxpayers’… Read more »
How will the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal impact Canada?
Description: A landmark free trade agreement in now in place with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Canada is a part of this partnership, which also includes 11 other nations. Source: CBC Date: October 5, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2676667858/?page=3 Questions for Discussion: Explain the TPP free trade agreement? Which sectors benefit the most from this deal? Which… Read more »
Offshore tax havens
Description: Many large corporations offshore their money in tax havens to avoid paying taxes in their country. Large accounting and consulting firms often help wealthy clients to hide their money in tax havens. Source: CBC Date: October 6, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2676746358/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: What are tax havens and how do they work? Is… Read more »
How can the price of a drug jump 2,000%?
Description: The price of a critical Tuberculosis drug shot up by 2,000% overnight—it seems this jump was for no apparent reason. This has alarmed the medical circle. Source: CBC Date: September 21, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2675886765/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Why did the Tuberculosis drug price shoot up by 2,000%? What role should the government play… Read more »
Volkswagen in deep crisis
Description: Volkswagen (VW) may have landed itself in a crisis that is unprecedented in modern memory. Their act of installing a device to mislead regulators will surely result in a massive number of litigations. Source: CBC Date: September 22, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2675990932/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Explain the sequence of events that led to VW’s crisis?… Read more »
Oil can hit $20 a barrel – Goldman Sachs
Description: Top investment banker, Goldman Sachs, broached the possibility that the value of oil can drop to as low as $20 a barrel. If price of oil does reach that low, it will be the lowest it has been in the last 13 years. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 11, 2015 Video and… Read more »
Microsoft launches Windows 10
Description: Microsoft launched its newest operating software – Windows 10. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, hopes that this will be the most loved version of Windows. Source: CBC Date: July 29, 2015 Video Link:http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2672726173/ Questions for Discussion: What significance does Windows 10 have for Microsoft? Discuss the problems with Windows 8 and does Windows 10 overcome… Read more »
TV cable viewership on the decline
Description: With viewers increasingly opting for streaming online content, the sale of cable to Canadian households have dropped substantially. Source: CBC Date: July 27, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2672532144/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss the factors causing the drop in Cable sales. What benefits do online streaming offer to viewers? What are potential drawbacks of online streaming?