Friday, January 8, 2010

What is Tiffany?-Free Investment Analysis

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In 1837, Tiffany & Co. was founded in the city of New York by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young as a fancy goods emporium. Today, the company is primarily a jewelry and specialty retailer. Tiffany currently offers jewelry, sterling silver, china, crystal and many other accessories. Tiffany & Co. is still located in New York City and has close to 9000 employees. The broad number of products, with innovative distributive strategies, has allowed Tiffany & Co. to become a leader in its market.

Currently, the CEO and Chairman of the company is Michael J. Kowalski. He also serves on the board of...click here to read the rest.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

What is The Blackstone Group?-Free Investment Analysis

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Founded in 1985, The Blackstone Group is a leader in the fields of alternative asset management and financial advisory. The alternative asset management unit consists of Corporate Private Equity Funds, Real Estate Funds, and Credit and Marketable Alternative funds. Blackstone’s financial advisory services include M&A, Restructuring / Reorganization, and Fund Placement.

Although Blackstone offers a variety of financial services, the firm’s reputation is defined by its private equity practice. Since 1987, the private equity group has invested in over...click here to read the rest.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

What is Genzyme?-Free Investment Analysis

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Genzyme is the third-largest biotechnology company in the world. Genzyme focuses on research and development in the medicinal field, including genetics diseases, oncology, and biosurgical specialties. It’s headquarters is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Genzyme was founded in 1981 in Boston’s Chinatown, with Sheridan Snyder residing as the company’s first CEO. In its first year, the company had...click here to read the rest.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

What is American Express?-Free Investment Analysis

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American Express Company (American Express) is a global payments and travel company. The company, which was incorporated in 1965, specializes in charge and credit-payment cards, as well as providing some travel-related services to its customers. American Express is broken down into two divisions, The Global Consumer Group and the Global Business-to-Business Group. The Consumer Group offers charge and credit cards to consumers and small businesses worldwide, as well as some stored value products such as Traveler’s Cheques. The Business-to-Business group provides a number of products and services, including business travel, corporate cards, network services, and various expense management services.

American Express initially came into existence in 1850, as an...click here to read the rest.

Monday, January 4, 2010

What is ICAP?-Free Investment Analysis

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ICAP, previously known as Intercapital, is the largest inter-dealer money broker in the world. It is based in UK and carries out transactions for financial institutions rather than individuals. An interdealer broker matches buyers and sellers in wholesale markets, so that deals can be executed by its customers. ICAP uses voice brokering or electronic networks to facilitate price discovery and liquidity, receiving a commission when a transaction is completed.

Michael Spencer is the current CEO of ICAP who helped generate revenues of...click here to read the rest.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

What is Boston Beer Company (Samuel Adams)?-Free Investment Analysis

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Boston Beer Company (BBC), best known for its flagship Samuel Adam’s beer, is a Boston based microbrewery founded by Jim Koch in 1984. Initially contracting all its production out to other brewers, BBC debuted its Sam Adams beer in 25 Boston bars and restaurants in 1985. By 1988, BBC had expanded its production from 500 barrels per year to 36,000. Although they still contracted most of their beer production out to other companies, this quick and drastic production increase prompted BBC to build its own small brewery in Boston. BBC also began to expand its product line, which today includes...click here to read the rest.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

What is Whole Foods Market?-Free Investment Analysis

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Whole Foods Market, Inc (WFM) is a firm that owns and operates a chain of supermarkets specializing in natural and organic foods. Whole Foods’ 275 stores carry all of the standard grocery chain products, including poultry, meat, grocery, seafood, produce, bakery, and prepared foods, as well as some less traditional items like nutritional supplements, books, floral, and pet products. The main component of the business model for Whole Foods is a focus on natural, organic, local, and fresh products, with over 67% of fiscal 2008 sales from perishable items.

Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin, Texas in 1980 by John Mackey, Renee Lawson Hardy, Craig Weller, and Mark Skiles. Each of the four founders...click here to read the rest.