The now highly-visible insider trading probe on Wall Street is shining a harsh spotlight on “expert networks.” Relatively new to the investment research landscape, these networks offer access to experts across various industry sectors — medicine, biotech, technology, and others. … Read more
Leave a CommentNovember 2010
We sometimes hear criticisms of our position on fair value accounting that suggest we’re taking an academic view of things with dubious relevance to economic reality. Interesting, then, to read Jack Cieselski’s analysis of a pending bank acquisition at a … Read more
Leave a CommentCFA Institute has arranged for special group rates at several nearby hotels. Read more
Leave a CommentWatch this recap video of the 2010 Annual Conference, which includes perspectives from members in attendance at the Boston event from 16-19 May 2010.
Leave a CommentThey are at it once again — banks and other financial firms trying to punch as many holes as possible in the new Dodd-Frank rules relating to oversight of the derivatives market. Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, or customized contracts/arrangements between sophisticated … Read more
Leave a CommentEven the Canadians now have joined in on the bashing of the world’s best known proxy consultant — ISS — in response to the proxy adviser panning a recent merger proposal of two gold companies (sorry). ISS, or Institutional Shareholder … Read more
Leave a CommentGet out your pom poms — a cheer for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is in order. The agency has had multiple detractors in response to some recent goofs (Madoff, Stanford Financial), not to mention strong criticism and … Read more
Leave a CommentAdd this to the list of lessons learned from the financial crisis: Boards of directors often have trouble standing up for shareowner interests. Balancing knowledge of the business with a degree of independence from the conflicted interests of management or … Read more
Leave a CommentBeginning back in the 1980s, Dana Carvey played a character named Enid Strict, otherwise known as “The Church Lady,” on the comedy show “Saturday Night Live.” Enid is best remembered for her signature line, “Isn’t that special?” It is what … Read more
Leave a CommentWe are in the midst of one of the most acrimonious debates over accounting rules in decades. What is at stake is whether banks will have to value their loan portfolios and report the results on their financial statements. Currently, … Read more
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