October 2022 – Vanderbilt Business Review

Leveraged Finance: Where We Are and How We Got Here

30Oct

By Edward DingNo Comments

Leveraged Finance: Where We Are and How We Got Here

By Edward Ding (Featured image: creative common license) It would be an understatement to say that corporate debt is important. From Coca-Cola toTwitter, corporations are frequent borrowers that use bonds and loans to fund a wide range of difference business activities. Much of this debt financing occurs on the public markets, where investors supply capital in exchange for portions of debt. Leveraged finance, which refers to corporate debt rated at below investment grade (i.e., high-yield debt, “junk bonds”), constitutes a relatively riskier but still vital portion of these markets. By looking deeper into the present state of leveraged finance, we can gain some important insights into the financial landscape and markets as a whole. 2021 was an outstanding year for capita...

<strong>Pleasant Vineyard: A Story of Sweetness, Passion, and Unwavering Patience</strong>

29Oct

By Iris AnNo Comments

All Posts, Features

Pleasant Vineyard: A Story of Sweetness, Passion, and Unwavering Patience

By Iris An (All pictures taken by the author and used with permission from Dr. and Mrs. Yao unless otherwise cited) Pleasant Vineyards is located at 2018 Les Robinson, Columbia, Tennessee, at the foot of the picturesque Theta hills. The lovely 27-acre property features 11 acres of grapes, gorgeous views, quiet picnic spaces, and plenty of free parking. The Pleasant Vineyard, which is open every weekend for muscadine U-pick, wine tastings, and wine purchases, has hosted a great number of muscadine lovers and introduced this unique grape to a wider audience. This beautiful vineyard is owned by Dr. Jie Yao, a reserved, friendly, and hardworking man from Sichuan, China, and his wife, Mrs. Yao, who comes from Guangdong, China, and speaks fluent English, Mandarin, and ...

<strong>A Niche Market in Asian-style Bakeries: Sweet Dreams Bakery & Bubble Tea</strong>

23Oct

By Iris AnNo Comments

All Posts, Features

A Niche Market in Asian-style Bakeries: Sweet Dreams Bakery & Bubble Tea

By: Iris An (All images are provided by Sweet Dreams Bakery & Bubble Tea, used with permission) YiMemg Wang is the owner of Sweet Dreams Bakery & Bubble Tea, a bakery on Cool Springs Blvd., in Franklin, Tennessee, which specializes in pies, cheesecakes, egg tarts, breads and bubble tea. In this interview, YiMeng shared her story of establishing her own business and the most essential factors and long-term strategies in the food service industry from her unique perspective. (more introduction of YiMeng's fantastic bakery is below this article!) IA: What made you decide to establish your own business? YM: My husband and I both enjoyed making and tasting bakeries and desserts, and we have noticed for a long time that there is a huge...

Bread, Circuses, and… Gas Prices? Energy as the Symbol of American Prosperity

8Oct

By Claire ChenNo Comments

All Posts, Economy and Government

Bread, Circuses, and… Gas Prices? Energy as the Symbol of American Prosperity

By: Claire Chen The U.S. Department of Labor’s August 2022 CPI report reveals that American consumers may finally see a respite in the inflationary processes that have contributed to a skyrocketing cost of living. The modest 0.1 percent increase in August’s CPI – still higher than expected, but consistent with July’s 0.0 percent increase and a dramatic reversal from June’s 1.3 percent increase – may explain the September 26 remarks expressed by Federal Reserve Chair of Boston Dr. Susan Collins, who states, “I think that it’s quite likely that inflation is near peaking and perhaps may have peaked already.” However, this measured outlook contrasts starkly with a media ecosystem that remains fixated on high prices. “Get ready for a food fight: High grocery costs are here to stay,” ...

<strong>How far is a grocery store from your home? Dr. Schlundt’s research reveals alarming results on food deserts as an economic factor of health outcomes.</strong>

3Oct

By Iris AnNo Comments

All Posts, Opinion

How far is a grocery store from your home? Dr. Schlundt’s research reveals alarming results on food deserts as an economic factor of health outcomes.

By: Iris An Take a moment, and try to picture the area where you grew up: How far is it to go to a grocery store which provides healthy foods, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, grains, protein foods, and dairy? If it’s a bit far, considering the car and gas price, how affordable is the driving?How often can you go to grocery stores that provide healthy food Now, think about your family’s diet habit: How often do you consume healthy food? Is it daily, weekly, or seldom? Food deserts are residential areas that provide poor access to healthful foods, and that largely consist of low-income residents who face transportation barriers to traveling outside their neighborhoods for full-service grocery stores. According to the USDA’s food access...