Showing results for: “FTC policy statement unfair methods of competition”
H&R Block Botches Its Own Taxes
H&R Block, the leading U.S. tax preparer, announced today in this press release that it will restate results for fiscal 2004 and 2005. “The restatement pertains principally to errors in determining the company’s state effective income tax rate, resulting in a cumulative understatement of its state income tax liability of approximately $32 million as of ... H&R Block Botches Its Own Taxes
Hedge-Fund-Like Mutual Funds
A recent W$J article reports that a number of mutual funds have amended their fund investment policies to allow the funds to engage in hedge-fund-like investment strategies such as the use of derivatives, leverage and short-selling. I think this is a favorable development because it increases the types of investment options available to everyday investors. ... Hedge-Fund-Like Mutual Funds
The Ethicist strikes again
One of my students brought to my attention this pearl of wisdom from (what appears to be this week’s forthcoming) The Ethicist column in the NYT: I am a 13-year-old boy. My school has a monthly pizza sale. Parents buy pies from a pizzeria and sell them to us for $1 a slice. I bought ... The Ethicist strikes again
On disclosure: Hands-tying
Dale Oesterle has called Gretchen Morgenson a “national treasure.” Today Larry Ribstein exposes the treasure for fool’s gold. I’m with Larry on this one. Morgenson’s article on executive compensation is yellow journalism at its worst (well, at least a far as business journalism goes. And really — what else is there?). As Larry suggests, hatchet ... On disclosure: Hands-tying
Google User Privacy
I have some questions about Google’s reluctance to turn over user search data to the government. (For background on this story, see here.) 1. Why does Google gather this data to begin with? Wouldn’t the best way to protect user privacy be not to save this information in the first place? Why does Google need ... Google User Privacy
Burger King Files for IPO
Burger King Holdings, Inc. filed a registration statement with the SEC today for the sale of $400 million of common stock (click here). While the prospectus does not include a price range or specify how many shares will be sold by BK vs. existing shareholders, it does contain a number of tidbits, including the following: ... Burger King Files for IPO
The ABA, the AALS, and the Rule of Law
In an op-ed published in Saturday’s W$J (slightly updated version available here for free), Prof. David Bernstein drew attention to the American Bar Association’s proposed revision to its law school accreditation standards concerning student and faculty racial diversity. Bernstein criticized the ABA proposal for, in essence, calling on law schools to ignore constitutional and statutory ... The ABA, the AALS, and the Rule of Law
Grimes on the KFTC's Microsoft Decision
Warren Grimes of the American Antitrust Institute (and Southwestern Law School) defends the Korea Fair Trade Commission’s recent Microsoft decision holding that Microsoft abused its dominant position by bundling Instant Messenger and Windows Media Player technologies to its operating system, and its order that Microsoft must sell unbundled versions. Grimes central point is that not ... Grimes on the KFTC's Microsoft Decision
Mutual Fund Name Changes
Today’s W$J has an article about mutual fund name changes entitled “The Bull Market in Mutual-Fund Name Changes.” Last year 719 funds changed their names, up from 505 the year before. Some name changes are the result of acquisitions. For example, following the acquisition of various Strong mutual funds, Wells Fargo changed their names to ... Mutual Fund Name Changes
Oakland’s Fast-Food Tax — Madness or Genius?
From the good folks who brought us Ebonics as a second language (wait, make that first language) comes another creative policy proposal. On Tuesday night, the Oakland City Council decided to deal with its local trash problem by taxing fast-food restaurants up to $3,815 per year to pay for street clean-up. (Reports here and here.) ... Oakland’s Fast-Food Tax — Madness or Genius?
Mastercard IPO Delayed
The W$J reports today (here) that Mastercard is likely to delay its IPO until the second quarter of this year. “The reason for the delay wasn’t clear yesterday, but two people familiar with the matter said that it isn’t related to a raft of [antitrust] lawsuits that recently have been filed by merchants against MasterCard.” ... Mastercard IPO Delayed
Vonage IPO and VoIP
Vonage, a provider of broadband telephone services, filed an IPO registration statement with the SEC today for the sale of $250 million of common stock. Basically, Vonage offers a cheap alternative to traditional phone service. For about $25 per month, you get unlimited calls to anywhere in the U.S. and Canada with all the bells ... Vonage IPO and VoIP
