Update

Currently our stocks are doing well.  We have made some decent investments.  Apple is making us most of our money.  We earned $4,000 from apple and it helps to balance out the fact that none of our other stocks have gone up.  Even though most of our stocks have gone down severely, they are all currently going up and we are hoping that they will increase to above the price we bought them out this way we can sell them and make our money back.

What’s going On!2 (Apple Company)

At the moment, Apple shares is to its highest, 552.00, and increasing, it would be a good idea to buy more, because it is still increasing fast. The apple stock, when we bought them, they were in lower price, around the 400. Now, basing on their new release on IPads, it seems the stock value have gone up. Interesting that now, the 52 Value price is at its highest, since the release of its new product. Factor, to determine in buying a stock would be how it is doing, and its background. Also its demands by the people.
-Steven S

Starbucks Corporation (Coffee)

The current stock price for Starbucks is $51.61. It's 52 week low is $33.72 and the 52 week high is $52.47. Starbucks isn't a franchise, so no one can own a store on their own. We would not purchase this stock as the price is too high. The biggest challenge that Starbucks faces would  be other coffee companies, such as Dunkin' Donuts. Since Coffee is easy to grow and distribute, I believe that it would be a finite resource. Starbucks participates in fair trade, along with Dunkin' Donuts and Green Mountain, among others, although this would not influence my choice to not buy the stock.

-Alexa M.

Automotive: Honda

The current price of Honda is $37.60 with the 52 week low being $27.52 and the 52 week high being $41.23. Even though recent news claiming that car companies are attempting to use natural and cleaner gas or electric power, I don't see it effecting Honda too much since it's a popular car. Honda is a popular company and even if it goes down, I do not believe the stocks will stay down for long. We did not by this stock because we do not want to chance it.
- Alexa M.

Dunkin' Donuts

The current stock price is 31.31 dollars. The 52 week high 31.92 dollar and the 52 week low 30.66 dollar. Dunkin' Donuts requires a minimum $750,000 in liquid assets and a net worth of $1.5 million to buy the franchise. I would not purchase the stock because it's at it's 52 week high. Dunkin' Donuts has competitors such as Starbucks; but right now the company seems to be doing well. Coffee should be considered a finite resources based on its availability. The largest companies participating in fair trade are Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. This doesn't really influence my decision to buy the stock, rather how they're doing in the market. 




                                                                                                                                       Denis

Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc.

Peet's Coffee is currently at $68.37.  The 52 week range is between$41- $70.  Peet's coffee is not a franchise and all the stores are owned by Peet's.  I would not purchase this stock especially when they have such big competition like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.  The biggest challenge a coffee company faces is competition form another company.  Another challenge they face is trying to make their company unique and making people want to go to theirs over the competition.  Peets coffee is a specialty coffee house and uses higher quality coffee and roasters than most companies but are more expensive.  Peets participates in Fair Trade with their fair trade blend which helps this country in Costa Rica called Tarrazú.  They have framers and other families by having them grow the coffee they need and buying it from them at a higher price to help the economy.   This does not change my mind on if i was going to buy this stock or not.

Some people would consider a finite resource.  I do not agree with this because even though coffee is not grown in the U.S. it can be grown in many other places and it is renewable resource.  Even though we cannot grow coffee buying it is easy and can be grown in many other countries.

-Alex

Green Mountain (Coffee)

Green Mountain is currently 52.33, its 52 high is 115.58, and its 52 low is 39.42. Green Mountain is not a franchise because it is simply a company selling its coffee. Although not clearly, it seems that it is franchise which could be bought for a price, not clearly show because it is mainly selling it's coffee beans. I would not buy the stock at this current because it has been going down (Decreasing). The New York Times had recently had a report on the company based on its drastically drop. The company has a fair trade and will increase slowly, however at the moment, the NYT reports that it has been taking too many risk. However the coffee business is very god since many people buy and demand coffee. This is one thing that could effect on a decision on buying it.

-Steven S