Jeff Manning, staff writer for The Oregonian newspaper, released a story Thursday, March 27, 2008, that claims the paper has come into possession of a copy of an internal memo from JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM). According to The Oregonian article, which hints at unsavory or even fraudulent mortgage processing practices, the memo indicates that loan processors can (not should) use creative data entry to alter automated underwriting system results. The Oregonian writer entertains the "dark side" scenario in the tone of his article.That's a real convenient, time-tested ploy for selling newspapers. Kudos for his attempt.

However, representatives for Chase mortgage operations have dismissed the memo as nothing more than a strategic angle on automated process. While no one has actually come out to say they created the memo or why, the company allegedly admits that the document is genuine. I get no sense that anyone from the company who commented on the situation has anything to hide. In fact, company reps appear to be quite forthcoming on the matter.

Continue reading Oregon newspaper claims JP Morgan Chase memo of dubious intent

Oregon newspaper claims JP Morgan Chase memo of dubious intent originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There is a report out that Howard Schultz, Chairman of Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX) wrote an internal e-mail to the company's executives basically warning them about complacency. The text of his e-mail sent shivers through the ranks at Starbucks, but investors should be applauding.

I wrote an earlier article about Starbucks becoming bigger than McDonald's Corp. (NYSE:MCD) in the years to come. Ray Kroc, the legendary founder of McDonald's, had a similar reputation as Howard Schultz. Both men could easily have gone to the golf course and been clipping coupons, but their passion and energy is boundless. Kroc was known to show up at any McDonald's across the country unannounced and start interviewing dining customers. He wanted to know what they thought, what they liked and more importantly, what they disliked about McDonald's.

Howard Schultz is in essence doing the same thing. His memo warned company management about the competition creeping up and catching Starbucks. He also warned about the commoditization of the brand and the service. There is no room for this at Starbucks.

Schultz mentioned that even though the company has grown from 1,000 store units to now 13,000, this is no time to be complacent or take the Starbucks customer for granted. This type of leadership is what will propel Starbucks to their goal of 40,000 store units worldwide. It's also the kind of leadership that will allow Starbucks to achieve that goal with excellence.

Georges Yared is the author of recently released books "Baby Boomer Investing...Where do we go from here?" and "Stop Losing Money Today" For more info go to http://www.georgesyared.com

Starbucks chairman still passionate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When your own people start sharing your dirty laundry with the press, you know you've got a management problem. It happens in politics and business. Just as Bush insiders are airing his dirty laundry so is a Yahoo Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) insider. I don't know what you can do about the Bush leaks but I think you ought to sell Yahoo shares and if you don't own them stay away.

Sunday's Washington Post higlighted how Bush administration insiders have spilled the beans on their dissatisfaction with his management of Iraq and its impact on the recent elections. This betrayal from inside reveals the fragility of Bush's once-vaunted message discipline. And it's a sign that these insiders sense Bush's loss of power and are using it to their own advantage.

What does this have to do with Yahoo? A strategy memo by Brad Garlinghouse, a Yahoo senior vice president, was leaked to last Saturday's Wall Street Journal. Just as in Washington, leaking at Yahoo is a tipoff that Yahoo has a serious management problem. Based on my experience working in public companies, if such a memo were leaked to the press by just about anyone, that person would be fired so fast it would make your head spin. Not only did Garlinghouse's memo contain confidential information, but by highlighting Yahoo's internal weaknesses his leaked memo could help Yahoo's competitors.

Continue reading Leaks: a problem Bush and Semel share

Leaks: a problem Bush and Semel share originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 00:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The sun is setting on Yahoo! and management is pointing figures.

A memo from one of the companies senior vices presidents claims that the company has spread its efforts too thin, like peanut butter on bread. The memo, which has lead to the formation of a group to suggest changes at the huge internet firm, called for a large reduction in staff at Yahoo! along with extensive managment changes.

Yahoo! remains one of the largest Internet sites in unique visitors, according to ComScore, but Google Inc.(NASDAQ:GOOG) has been gaining on its older rival for several years.

The details of the memo might be debated, but the overarching theme is almost certainly correct. While Internet portals like AOL, MSN, and Yahoo! have lost popularity and revenue growth, sites that are more focused on doing a few things well -- from Google to MySpace to YouTube -- have flourished.

While Google's shares have run from a 52-week low of just over $331 to $499, Yahoo!'s have slumped from $43.66 to just under $27. Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO)has done a poor job keeping up with major trends on the internet, from building large community sites to having a major presence in video.

Yahoo! is now exhibiting the kind of management issues that often occur at flagging companies. With long-time executives at odds about the big web operation's future, things are likely to get much worse before they get better.

Investors have to wonder what happened to Yahoo!'s CEO. Someone must be driving the bus.

Douglas McIntyre is a partner at 24/7 Wall St.

The blame game hits Yahoo! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 19 Nov 2006 21:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.