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(BAC) Class-Action Suit Against Bank of America

vitalstocks — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:06:25 +0000

Yesterday, the federal judge in Manhattan ordered Bank of America Corporation (BAC) to deal with a shareholders’ class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit accused BofA along with some of its senior managers and directors of misleading investors about the takeover of Merrill Lynch & Co. as well as the amount of Merrill’s losses and bonus payouts in [...]

(BAC) Class-Action Suit Against Bank of America

(CNO) CNO Financial Group – Bear of the Day

vitalstocks — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:05:56 +0000

We have downgraded our recommendation on CNO Financial Group (CNO) to Underperform based on the continuous deterioration in the premium revenue of its Bankers Life segment, coupled with the significant underwriting and pricing risks. The company’s third-quarter earnings results were driven by poor top-line performance in most business segments. The current interest rate environment, which [...]

(CNO) CNO Financial Group – Bear of the Day

(SUN) Oil and Gas Stock Outlook – February 2012 – Industry Outlook

vitalstocks — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:05:41 +0000

OUTLOOK Crude Oil Signs of progress in resolving Europe’s long-running sovereign debt crisis and a tightening global supply picture in view of the geopolitical fallout over Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions have been keeping oil prices at elevated levels. Partly offsetting this favorable view has been high U.S. crude stocks and worries about China’s growth outlook. [...]

(SUN) Oil and Gas Stock Outlook – February 2012 – Industry Outlook

(XLF) Stock Market News for February 7, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:39:01 +0000

After the European leaders urged Greece to adhere to new austerity measures in order to receive the next installment of its bailout package, debt woes returned to the forefront and US markets dropped a few points. Even though markets receded from t multi-year highs, benchmarks recouped most of their losses by the end of the [...]

(XLF) Stock Market News for February 7, 2012 – Market News

(BRO) Company News for February 7, 2012 – Corporate Summary

vitalstocks — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:38:39 +0000

• Pharma company Depomed Inc’s. (NASDAQ:DEPO) shares advanced 5.37% after the company said it would receive royalties from Merck & Co’s (NYSE:MRK) type 2 diabetes drug, Janumet XR • Share prices of HCA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:HCA) rose 7.33% to close at $28.40 after the hospital chain reported its fourth-quarter earnings results. Separately, it also announced [...]

(BRO) Company News for February 7, 2012 – Corporate Summary

(USB) U.S. Bancorp to Buy Trust Business

vitalstocks — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:30:38 +0000

U.S. Bancorp (USB) is making a strategic acquisition for its institutional trust and custody division. The company through its lead bank, U.S. Bank National Association, has entered into a definitive agreement to buy from Union Bank, N.A. its institutional trust business that offers services to retirement plans, labor management trusts and registered investment advisors. Union [...]

(USB) U.S. Bancorp to Buy Trust Business

(SLM) Sallie Mae Enhances Shareholder Value

vitalstocks — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:33:07 +0000

SLM Corp. (SLM), commonly known as Sallie Mae, remains committed to boosting investors’ confidence through dividend increases and share buybacks. The company announced a 25% hike in its quarterly dividend to 12.5 cents per share from 10 cents. Alongside, the company declared a $500 million share buyback program. The increased dividend will be paid on [...]

(SLM) Sallie Mae Enhances Shareholder Value

(USB) U.S. Bank Failures Hit 7 So Far in 2012

vitalstocks — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:17:11 +0000

Last Friday, four more banks were shuttered by U.S. regulators. The failed banks were based in Florida, Tennessee and Minnesota. This brings the total number of bank failures to 7 so far in 2012, following 92 in 2011, 157 in 2010, 140 in 2009 and 25 in 2008. While the financials of a few large [...]

(USB) U.S. Bank Failures Hit 7 So Far in 2012

(JPM) JPMorgan Chase and HSBC Holdings Dragged to Court

vitalstocks — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:08:04 +0000

On Tuesday, DZ Bank AG (DZBK), Germany’s largest co-operative lender, filed a lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and HSBC Holdings Plc (HBC) for breaching representations and warranties. The complaint lodged claims that both companies have misrepresented documents related to the sale of over $85 million and $122 million, respectively, in residential mortgage-backed securities. [...]

(JPM) JPMorgan Chase and HSBC Holdings Dragged to Court

(USB) U.S. Bancorp Acquires BankEast

vitalstocks — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:07:27 +0000

U.S. Bancorp (USB) is focused on expanding its business through acquisitions. The company’s lead bank, U.S. Bank National Association, acquired the banking operations of BankEast, a subsidiary of BankEast Corporation, in a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) assisted deal. It is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. What’s the Deal? As part of the transaction, approximately $272 [...]

(USB) U.S. Bancorp Acquires BankEast

(WPRT) Natural Gas: Another Great Contrarian Investment in 2012

InvestmentU — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:48:37 +0000

by David Fessler, Investment U Senior Analyst Tuesday, January 24, 2012: Issue #1693 There’s an old saying that goes something like this: “In the valley of the blind, the ‘one-eyed man’ is king.” If you seriously consider what I’m about to show you, this old saying could well ring true for your investment portfolio at [...]

(WPRT) Natural Gas: Another Great Contrarian Investment in 2012

(DVN) U.S. Energy Department’s Weekly Natural Gas Inventory Release is Bullish

vitalstocks — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:38:57 +0000

The U.S. Energy Department’s weekly inventory release showed a larger-than-expected drop in natural gas supplies, as imports from Canada declined. However, this is largely seen as a one-off shot, with warmer-than-normal temperatures across the country restricting the commodity’s requirement for power burn. In fact, gas stocks – currently 21.4% above the 5-year average and 20.7% [...]

(DVN) U.S. Energy Department’s Weekly Natural Gas Inventory Release is Bullish

(F) U.S. GDP Less Than Expected – Europe Better

vitalstocks — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:23:18 +0000

While we do have some favorable-looking headlines out of Europe this morning, indicating that Greece is making progress in its talks with the private creditors, the focus today will be on the U.S. economy. The headlines on that count are on the weak side. In its first read on the fourth quarter of 2011, the [...]

(F) U.S. GDP Less Than Expected – Europe Better

(ETFC) E*TRADE Financial Reports Loss – DARTs Drop

vitalstocks — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:20:32 +0000

E*TRADE Financial Corporation (ETFC) reported fourth-quarter 2011 net loss of 2 cents per share, significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 20 cents per share. Earnings compared unfavorably with the prior quarter’s earnings of 24 cents per share, though improved from the loss of 11 cents reported in the prior-year quarter. Quarterly results deteriorated, driven by [...]

(ETFC) E*TRADE Financial Reports Loss – DARTs Drop

(BAC) Bank of America Corporation – Bear of the Day

vitalstocks — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:03:47 +0000

Bank of America Corp.’s (BAC) fourth-quarter earnings came in substantially lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The sale of non-core assets and accounting gains made it possible for the company to remain profitable during the quarter. However, excluding nonrecurring items, the company would have incurred a loss. Higher non-interest expense was the primary headwind in [...]

(BAC) Bank of America Corporation – Bear of the Day

(EU) Chemical Industry Stock Outlook – January 2012 – Industry Outlook

vitalstocks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:01:44 +0000

Chemicals are generally used to make a wide variety of consumer goods and are also in the agriculture, manufacturing, construction and service industries. The chemical industry itself consumes 26% of its own output. Major industrial customers include rubber and plastic products, textiles, apparel, petroleum refining, pulp and paper, and primary metals. The chemical industry has [...]

(EU) Chemical Industry Stock Outlook – January 2012 – Industry Outlook

(EU) Stock Market News for January 25, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:00:42 +0000

In yet another calm trading session, markets were pulled slightly lower after Eurozone ministers rejected a bond swap offer from Greece’s private creditors. While the Dow dropped lower and the S&P 500 reversed its five-day winning streak, Nasdaq added meager points after earnings from certain tech companies boosted sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) [...]

(EU) Stock Market News for January 25, 2012 – Market News

(XLE) Stock Market News for January 24, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:19:47 +0000

Markets hovered around break-even levels on Monday as encouragement from the energy sector balanced apprehensions over Greece’s debt negotiations. With no major economic data or earnings results from any bellwether coming to forefront, benchmarks took a pause a day ahead of Apple’s results. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) dropped 0.1% to close the day [...]

(XLE) Stock Market News for January 24, 2012 – Market News

(JPM) 2012 U.S. Bank Failures Number Three

vitalstocks — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:19:26 +0000

After a month’s pause, U.S. regulators were back in action, shuttering three small banks in Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania last Friday. These 3 represent the first bank failures of 2012 following 92 in 2011, 157 in 2010, 140 in 2009 and 25 in 2008. While the financials of a few large banks have been stabilizing [...]

(JPM) 2012 U.S. Bank Failures Number Three

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 23, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:38:44 +0000

Strong corporate results helped lift the Dow higher to a six month high, while the S&P 500 registered frugal gains. Meanwhile, an earnings miss by Google weighed down the Nasdaq Composite Index. Nonetheless, the markets managed to end another week with gains and each benchmarks moved up by over 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average [...]

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 23, 2012 – Market News

(GS) The Goldman Sachs Group – Bear of the Day

vitalstocks — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:30:39 +0000

We are downgrading our recommendation on The Goldman Sachs Group (GS) to Underperform from Neutral based on expectation of continued lower top-line as in 2011, coupled with the fundamental pressure on the banking sector. Though the company reported profits, increased operating expenses and lower equity trading revenues remain matters of concern. Though Goldman has a [...]

(GS) The Goldman Sachs Group – Bear of the Day

(GS) Banking on a Turnaround? – Investment Ideas

vitalstocks — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:38:09 +0000

Can we really have a rally without the financials? Earnings have been mixed for the financials. Let’s take a deeper look at the players in each segment and see if we can’t come to a consensus as to whether or not a rally can be supported. The Zacks Rank for most of these banks is [...]

(GS) Banking on a Turnaround? – Investment Ideas

(BBT) BB&T Marginally Beats Earnings Estimates

vitalstocks — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:33:39 +0000

BB&T Corp.’s (BBT) fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of 55 cents per share were marginally ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents. This also compares favorably with the prior quarter earnings of 52 cents and the prior-year earnings of 30 cents. For the full year 2011, earnings came in at $1.83 per share, beating the [...]

(BBT) BB&T Marginally Beats Earnings Estimates

(COF) Capital One Financial Misses Estimates on Higher Expenses

vitalstocks — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:13:17 +0000

Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) reported fourth-quarter 2011 earnings from continuing operations of 89 cents per share, significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.53. This also compares unfavorably with $1.88 earned in the prior quarter and $2.07 recorded in the year-ago quarter. For the full year, Capital One’s earnings per share from continuing operations [...]

(COF) Capital One Financial Misses Estimates on Higher Expenses

(XLF) Stock Market News for January 20, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:10:56 +0000

Strong corporate earnings results and a positive jobless claims report helped carry the markets forward on Thursday. On an otherwise lackluster day, the S&P 500 touched a five-month high as investors awaited results from Google. However, post the closing bells, Google’s results were big a disappointment. Benchmarks continued to hover around five-month high levels and [...]

(XLF) Stock Market News for January 20, 2012 – Market News

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 18, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:42:10 +0000

The major US indices registered gains to close in the green after a slew of positive economic reports were released at home and in China. A successful debt auction in Europe added to the cheer. However, the gains were limited, as investors’ sentiments were dampened after the banking sector incurred losses following disappointing earnings figures [...]

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 18, 2012 – Market News

(GS) Earnings Season Hits Full Throttle

vitalstocks — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:41:12 +0000

Germany paid the lowest interest rate in its history in a two-year bond auction this morning, even as the country lowered its economic growth outlook for 2012. The World Bank also came out with a lowered growth outlook for the global economy this year, but there is hardly anything newsy there as the markets have [...]

(GS) Earnings Season Hits Full Throttle

(BAC) Company News for January 17, 2012 – Corporate Summary

vitalstocks — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:22:45 +0000

• During a hearing in Franfurt, Presiding Judge Daniel Koehle said JP Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) and the German city of Pforzheim should settle their dispute over losses of 56 million Euros on an interest rate swap. • Bank of America Chairman (NYSE:BAC) Chad Holliday expressed his continued support for CEO Brian Moynihan at [...]

(BAC) Company News for January 17, 2012 – Corporate Summary

(OCN) Ocwen Financial Analyst Upgrades Shares to Outperform

vitalstocks — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 18:22:28 +0000

We have upgraded our long term recommendation on Ocwen Financial Corporation (OCN) to “Outperform” from “Neutral”. The main reasons behind this raise are the company’s stable liquidity position and expected synergies from the recent servicing portfolio acquisitions that would support its financials. We believe that Ocwen’s principal reduction programs are expected to significantly contribute to [...]

(OCN) Ocwen Financial Analyst Upgrades Shares to Outperform

(CNO) CNO Financial Group – Bear of the Day

vitalstocks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:36:06 +0000

We are downgrading our recommendation on CNO Financial Group (CNO) to Underperform based on the continuous deterioration in the premium revenue of its Bankers Life segment, coupled with the significant underwriting and pricing risks. The company’s third-quarter earnings results were driven by poor top-line performance in most business segments. The current interest rate environment, which [...]

(CNO) CNO Financial Group – Bear of the Day

(EU) Stock Market News for January 16, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:35:34 +0000

Markets edged lower once again, bogged down by cross-Atlantic concerns as several euro-zone countries looked likely to suffer credit-rating downgrades. Things were also farm from cheerful on the domestic front after banking major J.P. Morgan Chase dampened sentiment with its quarterly results. These concerns mingled to partially erode weekly gains, but benchmarks were eventually able [...]

(EU) Stock Market News for January 16, 2012 – Market News

(AIG) American International Group Upped to Neutral

vitalstocks — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:33:02 +0000

Last week, we upgraded our recommendation on American International Group Inc. (AIG) to Neutral from Underperform based on its improving capital flexibility. Besides, asset disposals and repayment of a chunk of debt appears to be favorable for the new stock buyback program. AIG reported third quarter operating loss per share of $1.60, which came in [...]

(AIG) American International Group Upped to Neutral

(MS) Morgan Stanley Analyst Maintains Underperform on Shares

vitalstocks — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:32:24 +0000

We are reiterating our long-term Underperform recommendation on Morgan Stanley (MS). Though the company’s third-quarter results were significantly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, there are concerns regarding its financials being marred by various new regulatory requirements, elevated operating expenses and intense pricing competition. However, the company’s restructuring initiatives along with its organic and inorganic [...]

(MS) Morgan Stanley Analyst Maintains Underperform on Shares

(MCBI) U.S. Banking Industry Stock Outlook – January 2012 – Industry Outlook

vitalstocks — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:31:49 +0000

The recurrence of the intimidating 2008 meltdown is not expected for the U.S. banking industry in 2012 as the financial institutions are actively responding to every legal and regulatory pressure. In fact, this promptness has positioned the banks well to encounter impending challenges. However, the potency of the sector is not expected to return to [...]

(MCBI) U.S. Banking Industry Stock Outlook – January 2012 – Industry Outlook

(HTH) Hilltop Holdings Incorporated – Bull of the Day

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:11:08 +0000

We are upgrading our recommendation on Hilltop Holdings Inc. (HTH) to Outperform based on its sound capital position along with a risk-free balance sheet, which also paved way for resumption of share buybacks, assisting shareholders’ confidence in the stock. The company broke even in the third quarter but surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a [...]

(HTH) Hilltop Holdings Incorporated – Bull of the Day

(LM) Legg Mason’s December Assets Under Management Perks Up

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:09:21 +0000

Baltimore-based Legg Mason Inc. (LM) experienced a rise in its assets under management (AUM) in December on a sequential basis. This was preceded by a decline in November and a rise in October AUM. Preliminary month-end AUM came in at $627.0 billion, up 1.0% from $620.6 billion at the end of November. Though equity AUM [...]

(LM) Legg Mason’s December Assets Under Management Perks Up

(JPM) JPMorgan Delivers Unlikely Friday the 13th Report

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:08:44 +0000

Stocks will find it difficult to sustain their upward drift of recent days in the face of lackluster results from banking bellwether JP Morgan (JPM) and the absence of anything meaningful on the economic calendar. This morning’s bigger-than-expected November Trade Deficit number, though not a market-moving release, adds to the negative headlines. An outsized gain in the [...]

(JPM) JPMorgan Delivers Unlikely Friday the 13th Report

(XRT) Stock Market News for January 13, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:06:29 +0000

Markets looked beyond the disappointing economic data, as a strong bond auction in Europe and a drop in oil prices reversed the benchmarks’ movement and guided them higher on Thursday. Investors were also discouraged by a lower income forecast from Chevron. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) gained 0.2% to settle at 12,471.02. The Standard [...]

(XRT) Stock Market News for January 13, 2012 – Market News

(HDB) HDFC Bank Limited – ADS – Bear of the Day

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:05:05 +0000

HDFC Bank’s (HDB) higher operating expenses were the headwind in the company’s most recently reported quarter. The company is still exposed to threats related to higher cost of funds. Growing competition in the retail space with the re-entry of peers is an added future concern. Our six-month target price of $25.00 per ADS equates to [...]

(HDB) HDFC Bank Limited – ADS – Bear of the Day

(EU) Stock Market News for January 12, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:01:28 +0000

European debt concerns once again weighed down the markets and dragged the Dow slightly lower, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posted meager gains. Reports of Germany’s economy contracting during the end of 2011 and a downward revision of economic growth estimates by the European Union (EU) dented the markets. However, a late upward swing [...]

(EU) Stock Market News for January 12, 2012 – Market News

(EIA) Natural Gas 2011: An Unhappy Ending

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:00:28 +0000

The U.S. Energy Department’s weekly inventory release showed a slightly lower-than-expected drop in natural gas supplies, as warmer-than-normal temperatures across the country have restricted the commodity’s requirement for power burn. In fact, gas stocks – currently 15.2% above the 5-year average and 11.4% higher than the same period last year – are at their highest [...]

(EIA) Natural Gas 2011: An Unhappy Ending

(MCBI) U.S. Banks Stock Outlook – January 2011 – Zacks Analyst Interviews

vitalstocks — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:58:51 +0000

(MCBI) U.S. Banks Stock Outlook – January 2011 – Zacks Analyst Interviews

(HTH) Hilltop Holdings Incorporated – Bull of the Day

vitalstocks — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:45:35 +0000

(HTH) Hilltop Holdings Incorporated – Bull of the Day

(XLE) Stock Market News for January 9, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:35:17 +0000

The fact that the US unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level since February 2009 failed to spark a rally on Friday. European concerns weighed on sentiment to drag the benchmarks marginally lower. However, the first week of 2012 ended on a positive note amidst a slew of encouraging economic reports, On Friday, the [...]

(XLE) Stock Market News for January 9, 2012 – Market News

(JLL) A Silver Lining for the U.S. Office Market in 2012?

vitalstocks — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:34:39 +0000

According to the latest report published by Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (JLL), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), the U.S. office sector witnessed a spurt in market fundamentals in fourth quarter 2011 with a significant positive absorption and increase in occupancy and rents, although the performance remained relatively dispersed by both geographical location and [...]

(JLL) A Silver Lining for the U.S. Office Market in 2012?

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 4, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:48:03 +0000

The first trading day of the year witnessed a positive trend in the US markets, backed by encouraging news from the global arena and positive domestic economic reports. Major indices gained during the trading day helped by an optimistic mood that prevailed among investors. The Dow Jones Industrial average (DJIA) surged 1.5% to close at [...]

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 4, 2012 – Market News

(VTR) Ventas Incorporated – Bull of the Day

vitalstocks — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:14:21 +0000

We have changed our long-term recommendation for Ventas (VTR) to Outperform driven by its strong third quarter 2011 results. Recurring FFO for the reported quarter exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.06 primarily due to the accretive effect of the acquisitions of Nationwide Health Properties and Atria. Ventas is one of the largest healthcare REITs [...]

(VTR) Ventas Incorporated – Bull of the Day

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 3, 2012 – Market News

vitalstocks — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:06:04 +0000

On the last trading day of the year, US markets witnessed low volumes and muted activity as investors seemed reluctant to make any major moves on Friday. The “Santa rally” continued into the day but barely made any impact on the market. The Dow Jones Industrial average (DJIA) lost 0.57% to close at 12,217.56. The [...]

(BAC) Stock Market News for January 3, 2012 – Market News

(MS) Morgan Stanley to Delete Jobs in New York

vitalstocks — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:06:45 +0000

According to a state filing, Morgan Stanley (MS) intends to lay off 580 workers in New York State due to economic reasons. The company started trimming its workforce since the middle of December on a rolling basis, abide by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN). The State Department of Labor made The New York [...]

(MS) Morgan Stanley to Delete Jobs in New York

(HBC) HSBC Holdings Plc – ADS – Bear of the Day

vitalstocks — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:17:22 +0000

We retain our Underperform recommendation on HSBC Holdings plc – ADS (HBC) with an Underperform recommendation. Our primary concern is the harsh impact from the deepening Eurozone crisis. Moreover, the company is suffering from weak revenue growth in its mature markets due to ongoing low interest rates and regulatory restrictions. The company’s cost containment measures [...]

(HBC) HSBC Holdings Plc – ADS – Bear of the Day