It’s called the World Cup. It ought to be called the World’s Distraction.
Through the magic of streaming Internet video (thank you, Al Gore), it’s now possible for millions of fanatics, casual observers of the sport, and professional procrastinators to watch soccer at work, while not appearing to watch soccer at work. Not that any of us would actually do that, since we’ve all been listening to the admonitions of Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to become more productive.
All we’re saying is, there are 62 matches still to be played, which is 5,580 minutes of the beautiful game, plus injury time, extra time, penalty kicks and time added by the referee to account for the time that Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo spends rolling around in the grass, pretending he has just been shot in the leg by an opposing midfielder. Most of this soccer will be played during working hours in Canada, which means that even if you’re not watching, chances are your shiftless co-workers will be.
But what if you’ve been so focused on the bottom line – on being productive – that you haven’t had time to brush up on what’s going on between the touchlines? We’ve got you covered.
South African soccer fans cheer during the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
(* World Cup odds as posted by Bodog.ca)
(** Price-earnings ratio based on estimated earnings provided by Bloomberg)
Germany equals the Royal Bank of Canada : Ruthlessly efficient, joyless, and ridiculously competent. They always have a few detractors, but when it matters, they seem to perform better than almost everyone else.
Odds of winning the World Cup*: 16 to 1
Stock price: $53, down 6 per cent this year
Price-earnings ratio**: 12
Portugal equals Lululemon LULU-Q. Pretty boy striker Cristiano Ronaldo wouldn’t look out of place wearing a pair of tight yoga pants. Female soccer fans swoon at the thought. But a brave investor would see a short-selling opportunity in something that seems overhyped.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 28 to 1
Stock price: $41.76 (U.S.), up 38.7 per cent this year
Price-earnings ratio: 36
— AP
Brazil equals Google GOOG-Q– powerful, creative and slightly scary. It’s not enough to win; you have to do it with elegance, too. Bet against them at your peril.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 4 to 1
Stock price: $488.50 (U.S.), down 21 per cent
Price-earnings ratio: 18
Spain equals Apple AAPL-Q. During the 1990s, they went from one disappointment to another. Now, they’re at the top of the game. But the expectations are massive. Apple investors and fans of star striker Fernando Torres would be wise to brace for a letdown.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 4 to 1
Stock price: $253.51 (U.S), up 20.3 per cent this year
Price-earnings ratio: 19
Mexico equals BCE BCE-T. For a while, it looked like they wouldn’t even qualify for the tournament, so they got a better manager. What a difference that made.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 66 to 1
Stock price: $31.28, up 7.9 per cent
Price-earnings ratio: 11
Uruguay equals General Motors. Once they were kings (the country won two of the first four World Cups), then went into a long decline. Recently, things have been looking better, but hopes are extremely modest – as they should be.
Odds of winning the World Cup: 125 to 1
Stock price: not applicable (private company)
Microsoft doesn’t get much love from Wall Street, but it should, according to a couple of John Reese's models. — Getty Images
