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By Rob Cox
The annual Beverly Hills gathering of Mike Milken’s 3,000 closest friends retains some vestiges of its racier past. But there’s an emerging consensus among this elite demimonde that rising wealth inequality is a problem. The solutions, however, are fundamentally polarizing.

Nerds may get revenge on Woodstock of Capitalism

By Agnes Crane
Spreadsheet-wielding analysts have been invited for the first time to ask questions at Warren Buffett’s annual powwow. That should at least subtly tilt the discussion more to financial nitty-gritty from folksy wisdom. It’s the latest sign that Berkshire’s times may be a-changin’.
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Let News Corp keep BSkyB

By Chris Hughes
Rupert Murdoch isn’t fit to run News Corp in the interests of all shareholders. And News Corp turned a blind eye to criminal wrongdoing in its UK newspaper business. But if Ofcom elbows the group out of UK broadcasting, that would be the wrong punishment from the wrong enforcer.

UBS offers glance at stabler, less exciting future

By Peter Thal Larsen
The Swiss group turned in a respectable Q1, ignoring accounting quirks. The private bank is attracting clients, the investment bank is steadying, and the balance sheet is shrinking. UBS has more to do on capital and costs. But its rejig is further advanced than many rivals.

Oil majors can only admire Colombia's titan

By Raul Gallegos
Ecopetrol may not be well known outside Latin America. But the state-controlled company just posted an enviable 50 pct EBITDA margin. At $135 bln, it’s now worth as much as BP. Replacing reserves won’t be easy. But such a well-run firm looks like the best oil play in the region.

Chesapeake board does too little, too late

By Christopher Swann
Stripping CEO Aubrey McClendon of the chairmanship and ending his personal investments in the firm’s wells are obvious, if belated, moves. But McClendon’s deal-making and borrowing have accompanied lagging returns. Shareholders deserve more radical changes in the boardroom.
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Monster shouldn’t be Coke’s tipple of choice

By Agnes Crane
The century-old beverage giant could use a youth elixir, but it isn’t about to buy the hip and expensive energy-drink maker Monster. That sounds mature - in a good way. Better to create something than pay more than $11 bln, plus a premium, for a faddish brand that could flame out.
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