Fortress Knowledge
Current Events - Finance
Dan Bass
Finance 101
Misc.
100

What year was Fortress founded?

1998

100

As of July 2025, this major U.S. stock index reached a new all-time high, rebounding from earlier-year losses and driven by optimism around inflation and interest rates.

S&P 500

100
What is Dan's alma mater?

Florida State

100

Which statement shows a company’s revenues and expenses over a period?

Income statement

100

How long is Manhattan island?

~13 miles

200

What is Fortress' AUM?

$51 billion

200

On July 3, 2025, this key employment report showed a gain of 120,000 jobs in June, down from 139,000 in May.

Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) report

200

How long has Dan been working at Fortress?

~22 years

200

This group is responsible for overseeing a company’s management and protecting shareholder interests.

Board of Directors

200

Name 5 companies whose stock is listed on the S&P 500. 

Dan to assess.

300

Name 5 of the 13 cities where Fortress has offices 

Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Dallas, Greenwich, Hong Kong, London, LA, Madrid, Menlo Park, New York, Rome, Sydney, Tokyo

300

In June 2025, the Fed raised its forecast for this core inflation measure to 3.1%, up from 2.8%, citing tariff-related pressures.

Core PCE (Personal Consumption Expenditures) index

300

What is the role of a CFO in a corporation?

Dan to assess.

300

This valuation method estimates a company’s value by projecting future cash flows and discounting them to present value.

Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis

300

Most recently, which fast casual food chain did Fortress take ownership of?

Red Lobster

400

Name 3 investments that Fortress has made.

Bass to assess if answered correctly.

400

Despite political pressure, the Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate steady in June 2025 at this range.

4.25% to 4.5%

400

Which directions does Dan's office face?

North West

400

What is the difference between debt and equity?

Debt is money borrowed by a company, equity is ownership in a company. Debt is less risky than equity as debt investors are paid before equity investors in the event of bankruptcy.

400

Name all 8 of the New York major professional sports teams.

Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Nets, Giants, Jets, Rangers, Islanders 

500

In your own words, describe what Fortress does.

Bass to determine if adequately answered 
500

In June 2025, the Fed raised its inflation forecast for the year to this percentage, citing tariff-related pressures and slowing growth.

3%

500

Which OTHER Florida State legend left FSU in 1989? 

Deion Sanders

500

This ratio measures a company’s total debt relative to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Debt-to-EBITDA ratio

500

How many floors does the tallest residential building in NYC have?

The Central Park Tower has 131 floors