Financial
(WSH) Aon Increases Dividend by 11%
Recently, the board of Aon plc (AON) approved an 11% hike in its annual dividend on Class A Ordinary Shares to 70 cents per share from 63 cents paid earlier. This translates into a quarterly cash dividend of 17.5 cents per share, increasing...3May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(FHN) First Horizon National Meets Earnings Estimates
First Horizon National Corp. (FHN) reported first-quarter 2013 earnings per share of 17 cents, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 17 cents, but well ahead of the year-ago earnings of 12 cents. The results were driven...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(BOKF) BOK Financial’s Earnings Beat
BOK Financial Corporation’s (BOKF) first-quarter 2013 earnings of $1.28 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10 cents. Moreover, results came above the prior-quarter earnings of $1.21. Better-than-expected...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(PMI) Stock Market News for May 2, 2013 – Market News
Mixed domestic reports along with discouraging economic data from China dragged the major indices into negative territory. Weaker-than-expected corporate results also added to negative investor sentiment. These developments offset the optimism created by the Federal Reserve’s decision to continue...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(PCL) Industry Rank Analysis: Knock on Wood – Zacks Industry Rank Analysis
Jumping up Zacks Industry Ranks in response to revitalized real estate demand. Sitting just last week at #192 on the Zack’s Industry Rank list, strong recent demand for building materials –and upgrades to earnings estimate revisions that followed– pushed key players...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(BAC) Underwhelming Earnings Backdrop
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 Unlike Tuesday when earnings reports were on the reassuring side, the tone of this morning’s releases is on the negative side. And it’s not just this morning’s Bank of America (BAC)...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(CUZ) Cousins Properties Incorporated Boosts Liquidity
In order to enhance its financial flexibility, Cousins Properties Incorporated (CUZ) infused approximately $165.1 million of capital through a public offering of its common stock. The company’s plans to finance an...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(PRU) Prudential Financial Sells Wealth Management Unit
Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU) has entered an agreement to sell a wealth management services unit, which forms a small portion of its operations, to Envestnet Inc. (ENV)...2May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(HCN) Health Care REIT Hits 52-Week High
Shares of Health Care REIT Inc. (HCN) touched a new 52-week high of $71.76 on Monday, Apr 15, 2013, as it gained momentum following an upgrade of the company’s rating by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services....1May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(COF) Capital One Financial Upgraded to Neutral
On Apr 25, 2013, we upgraded our recommendation on Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) to Neutral from Underperform. Our decision rests on Capital One’s better-than-expected first quarter earnings. However, rising expenses and weak...1May2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(WABC) Westamerica Bancorp Stays Underperform
On Apr 23, 2013, we reiterated our long-term recommendation on Westamerica Bancorp. (WABC) at Underperform. This reflects Westamerica’s dismal first-quarter results, which declined both on a sequential and year-over-year basis. Why...29Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(LM) Legg Mason Raises Dividend
In an attempt to boost shareholder value, Legg Mason, Inc.’s (LM) board of directors approved an increased quarterly cash dividend on its common stock. The new dividend of 13 cents per share reflects an 18% increase from the prior...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(CLI) Mack-Cali Realty Corporation Cuts Their Dividend
Mack-Cali Realty Corp (CLI) disclosed its plan of slashing its second quarter common stock dividend by a third to 30 cents from 45 cents per share paid earlier. The move comes as the company plans to retain its cash for meeting investment...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(PCL) Industry Rank Analysis: Knock on Wood – Zacks Industry Rank Analysis
Jumping up Zacks Industry Ranks in response to revitalized real estate demand. Sitting just last week at #192 on the Zack’s Industry Rank list, strong recent demand for building materials –and upgrades to earnings estimate revisions that followed– pushed key players...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(IBKR) Interactive Brokers Group Earnings and Revenues Lag
Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.’s (IBKR) first-quarter 2013 earnings of 14 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. This also compares unfavorably with the year-ago quarter’s earnings of 27 cents. The...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(AMTD) TD Ameritrade Holding Beats Earnings Estimates
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (AMTD) reported its fiscal second-quarter 2013 (ended Mar 31, 2013) net income of 26 cents per share, marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents. Net income also surpassed the prior-year...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(CMA) Comerica Marginally Beats on Earnings
Comerica Inc. (CMA) reported first quarter 2013 earnings of 70 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents. Moreover, results surpassed the year-ago quarter earnings per share of 68 cents. Comerica’s...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(BOE) EPL Oil & Gas – A Strong Buy
On Apr 13, Zacks Investment Research upgraded EPL Oil & Gas Inc. (EPL) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). Why the Upgrade? EPL has been using acquisitions to expand its presence in the Gulf of Mexico...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(ACE) ACE Limited Launches Altair Re
ACE Limited (ACE) has launched a $95 million special purpose vehicle— Altair Re, to strengthen it global reinsurance business. The launch of Altair Re will help the company meet the coverage requirements of its insurance and reinsurance...27Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(MGV) Vanguard Switches Indexes for 8 U.S. ETFs – ETF News And Commentary
Vanguard has been leading the ultra-cheap ETF market, and is easily the top choice for investors seeking low-cost products in many fund categories. This technique has proven to be a winning strategy for the company as investors have flocked in droves to these low cost products, giving Vanguard over...24Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(MS) Morgan Stanley Beats on Earnings and Revenues
Morgan Stanley’s (MS) first-quarter 2013 adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 61 cents per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a nickel. However, this compared unfavorably with prior-year quarter earnings of...21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(ACE) ACE Ltd. Launches ACE Agribusiness
The ACE Group, a leading multiline property and casualty insurer under ACE Limited (ACE), launched an agriculture property and casualty insurance business— ACE Agribusiness. The Ace Group operates in 53 countries. Services of the...21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(GS) Is Goldman Sachs Group’s Blankfein’s Huge Pay Hike Justified?
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) CEO Lloyd Blankfein received a massive pay raise of nearly 75% in 2012, as per a latest SEC filing by the bank. However, the hike in compensation, which will bring Blankfein’s salary to $21 million,...21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(C) Citigroup Posts Encouraging Earnings
After reporting disappointing results in the prior quarter, Citigroup Inc. (C) reported an impressive first-quarter 2013. Earnings per share came in at $1.29 for the quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11 cents. Moreover,...21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(PCL) Plum Creek Timber Company Stays Neutral
On Apr 11, 2013, we reiterated our long-term recommendation on Plum Creek Timber Company Inc. (PCL), a timber real estate investment trust (REIT), at Neutral. The move reflects the company’s solid operating platform, impressive fourth-quarter...21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(SCHW) Charles Schwab Corporation Misses Slightly on Earnings
Charles Schwab Corporation’s (SCHW) first-quarter 2013 earnings of 15 cents per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. This was in line with the year-ago quarter earnings. Marginally lower-than-expected results...21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(FNF) Fidelity National Financial Hits 52-Week High
On Apr 11, 2013, shares of Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) reached a 52-week high of $26.78. Fidelity National has a consistent track record of acquisitions and partnerships to strengthen its existing lines of businesses....21Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(TRV) The Travelers Companies Likely to Beat Earnings Estimates
We expect The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) to beat expectations when it reports first-quarter 2013 results on Apr 23. Why a Likely Positive Surprise? Our proven model shows that the property &...19Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(PNC) The PNC Financial Services Group Beats First Quarter Estimates
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.’s (PNC) first-quarter 2013 earnings per share of $1.76 significantly exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.57. Moreover, results beat the earnings per share of $1.44 recorded in the prior-year...18Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued
(JPM) U.S. Banks Stock Outlook – April 2013 – Zacks Analyst Interviews
U.S. banks entered 2013 with uninterrupted expense control, sound balance sheets, an uptick in mortgage activity and lesser credit loss provisions. Moreover, a favorable equity and asset market backdrop, falling unemployment, a progressive housing sector and a flexible monetary policy have been making...18Apr2013 | vitalstocks | Comments Off | Continued