Burger King's IPO? They've got sizzle. Any Beef?

Hey All, tomorrow the 17th Burgerking's got their IPO debut with JP Morgan, Citi and Goldman underwriting the deal. So what's your vote? Will BK (a subsidiary of the Diago conglomerate-whoich also owns smirinoff and Guiness (BRILLIANT!) beers) float or flounder? In my opinion, their timing is off with consumers being a lot more trans-fat conscience and the fact that their growth has been focused domestically. When looking at McDonalds or other grease-giants like KFC, the US is only a part of the pie. KFC's in China are like SBUX here in the states. If BK wants to have any glimmer of hope, they've got to take a more aggresive approach to global growth. Amidst the management shakeups and internal problems, BK has got a solid brand and I'd personally munch on a charbroiled whopper over a big mac any day. BK only contributes to only 7% of Diago's bottom line because franchise owners take such a big cut and the IPO will only sell a 20% stake to the public. So the flames of the market that BK will face- come Wednesday, will not only be tough on them, but also the supersize-me sector as a whole. Take for example McDonald's (MCD) which has been looming in the 34-36 range, which takes hard hits with the street's reactions to earnings. However, Chipotle (CMG) has surprised me after its initial week in Feb. However, chipotle is a part of MCD, has a pretty novel product, and a lot more elbow room for growth in suburban stripmalls. Hope finals went well and that everbody's having a good summer. -Gerardo

"Investors Seek Profit In Strangers' Deaths"

Thank jeff for this one.

Did anybody else read this article today? I'm going to be working for a company called Integrity Settlement Group (part of the Meltzer Group) this summer doing exactly whats described in the article - acting as a broker between hedge funds and individuals selling their life insurance policies.

Perhaps we will be buying life insurance as investment vehicles in a few years?

Intriguing stuff, I'll give you all an update once I've started work.

Kogod Finance Group Blog

Welcome to the Kogod Finance Group Blog. I am working on getting everyone access. Feel free to post comments on market activity or career development related information.