How Fifth Third Bancorp Has Performed Recently
Fifth Third Bancorp has an impressive free cash flow position.
Financials
What’s Driving PNC Financial Services?
The PNC Financial Services Group’s (PNC) revenue net of interest expense remained flat in 2016 and grew 8% in 2017.
A Look at Bank of America’s Key Growth Drivers
Bank of America’s dividend yield of 1.5% and PE of 20.6x compares to a sector average dividend yield of 2% and PE of 20.7x.
BlackRock’s Valuations Stable amid Strong Operating Performance
BlackRock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.6x, compared with the industry average of 18.6x.
BlackRock and Competitors Look at Strong 1Q18 Numbers
Among the major asset managers, BlackRock (BLK) is expected to post sequential and year-over-year growth in earnings per share to $6.38 in 1Q18 and $6.83 in 2Q18.
Why Is US Debt So High?
Most countries tend to issue debt to fund their deficits and keep paying interest on these borrowings. These revenues are generated through taxes from companies and individuals.
What’s behind the Outlook for Nasdaq?
Nasdaq (NDAQ) revenue rose 9% and 8% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
Why Assurant Has a Positive Outlook despite a Weak 2017
Assurant’s (AIZ) revenue fell 27% and 18% in 2016 and 9M17, respectively.
What’s the Outlook for American International Group?
American International Group’s dividend per share rose 58% in 2016 and was flat in 2017.
Why Citigroup’s Outlook Seems Promising
Citigroup is projected to grow its revenue 2% and 4% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The 2017 and 2018 diluted EPS are projected to grow 12% and 14%, respectively.
Prospect Capital’s Valuation: Fair or Discounted in Long Term?
Prospect Capital (PSEC) stock has fallen 14.5% over the past six months and 16.9% over the past year.
Goldman Sachs and Its Commanding Investment Banking Division
Goldman Sachs’s (GS) Investment Banking segment generated revenues of $1.8 billion in 3Q17, which was a 4% rise compared to 2Q17.
What Are Analysts Predicting for Iron Ore Prices in 2018?
Goldman Sachs (GS) believes that iron ore prices should sink back to $50 per ton in 2018.
How Analysts View Blackstone
The Blackstone Group (BX) is being tracked by 14 analysts in December 2017. Six have given it “strong buy” ratings, two have suggested “hold” ratings, and six have recommended “buys.”
A Look at GM’s Stock Performance
In this part of our focus on the top 18 cheap S&P 500 stocks, we’ll discuss another six stocks: General Motors (GM), Ford Motor (F), Owens-Illinois (OI), The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (GT), Navient (NAVI), and Brighthouse Financial (BHF).
Blackstone’s Private Equity Division Saw a Strong Performance
The Blackstone Group’s (BX) private equity division posted total revenue of $1.4 billion in the first nine months of 2017, compared to $895.3 million in the first nine months of 2016.
What’s Wells Fargo’s Valuation?
Wells Fargo (WFC) stock has risen 13.0% over the past six months and 10.1% over the past year.
Overstock Invests $1 Million in Kennedy Cabot
tZERO buys 1% stake Overstock (OSTK) has invested $1 million in Kennedy Cabot, which will give it a 1% stake in the brokerage service company. Overstock made the investment through its subsidiary, tZERO. Kennedy Cabot is the parent organization of Siebert Financial (SIEB). It holds a ~90% stake in Siebert. The news offered a massive boost to […]
What Happened with Interactive Brokers’ Market-Making Business
Loss witnessed Interactive Brokers Group’s (IBKR) market-making business saw pre-tax income of -$35 million in the first three quarters of 2017, compared with $32 million in the same period of the prior year, primarily due to lower net revenue. Whereas the division’s trading gains fell from $124 million to $26 million, its other income rose to $14 […]
James Gorman Says China ‘Is a Gift to the World Economic Growth’
James Gorman, chair and CEO of Morgan Stanley (MS), shared his view on China (FXI) (YINN) in an interview with CNBC.
How AIG’s Consumer Insurance Division Performed in 3Q17
Marginal fall American International Group’s (AIG) consumer insurance division’s total operating revenue fell 1% from $6 billion in 3Q16 to $5.9 billion in 3Q17. The marginal fall was mainly due to lower net investment income and premiums. The division’s premiums fell 2% to $3.2 billion in 3Q17 from $3.3 billion in 3Q16. Whereas AIG has a beta of […]
Carlyle Group’s Corporate Private Equity Division
In 3Q17, the Carlyle Group’s (CG) Corporate Private Equity division saw a marginal decline in distributable earnings, from $209 million in 3Q16 to $207 million in 3Q17.
Comparing Microsoft’s and Peers’ Cash Reserves
Tax reforms for repatriation of US companies’ cash reserves Previously, we discussed the rationale behind Trump’s proposed tax reforms, which aim to lure US companies back to the country. According to Goldman Sachs (GS), if the Republicans manage to pass the tax legislation, US companies (SPY) (SPX) are expected to repatriate $250 billion in foreign profits. Technology […]
What Could Drive AIG’s Performance in the Future?
According to Brian Duperreault, chief executive officer of American International Group (AIG), a company in any industry has to take the digitization path for long-term growth and success.
Analyzing Visa’s Assets and Liabilities
As of September 30, 2016, Visa (V) has reported a total asset balance of $64.03 billion. As of June 30, 2017, the company managed to report a total asset balance of $64.00 billion.
How Harvey Affected Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern’s network Kansas City Southern’s (KSU) US subsidiary caters to ten US states in the Midwest and Southeast. It also runs a rail route between Kansas City, Missouri, and multiple ports along the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Among the major US Class I railroads, Kansas City remains hugely […]
What Led to BlackRock’s Downward Sloping Dividend Yield Curve?
BlackRock posted a 7.0% revenue growth in the first half of 2017, driven by every segment except multi-asset and alternatives, which reported flat growth.
Comparing MetLife’s Dividend Yield
Revenue and earnings MetLife (MET), the holding corporation for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, saw its revenue fall 9% in 2016 and 5% in 2015. The fall was driven by universal life and investment-type product policy fees, net investment income, and other revenue. Expenses rose 2% in 2016 after falling 3% in 2015. Income from continuing operations, […]
How Invesco’s Dividend Yield Curve Has Evolved
Revenue and earnings Investment management company Invesco (IVZ) saw its revenue fall 8% in 2016, after flat growth in 2015. In 2016, its investment management, service and distribution, and performance fees fell. Its operating expenses fell 3%–5% in 2015 and 2016, and its operating income fell 13% in 2016 after rising 6% in 2015. Meanwhile, its […]
Chemours: Analysts’ Recommendations and More
For Chemours, 88% of the analysts recommended a “buy,” 12% of the analysts recommended a “hold,” and none of the analysts recommended a “sell.”
Goldman Sachs Increased JD.com’s Target Price to $56
Goldman Sachs (GS) has a positive outlook on JD.com (JD).
Is LyondellBasell Stock Undervalued Compared to Its Peer?
As of September 7, 2017, LyondellBasell’s one-year forward PE multiple stands at 9.80x, while Eastman Chemical has one-year forward PE multiple of 10.70x.
Prudential’s Discounted Valuations in 2Q17
Wall Street analysts recommended a one-year price target of $116.07 per share on Prudential Financial (PRU), reflecting an increase of ~14.1% from the current price.
Understanding Prudential’s Group Insurance and Individual Life Earnings
In 2Q17, on the basis of annualized new business premiums, sales in Prudential’s Individual Life business stood at $153 million, reflecting a marginal decline of ~3.8% year-over-year.
Why Symantec’s Enterprise Security Segment Is Inclined toward the Cloud
In late May 2017, Microsoft (MSFT) acquired Hexadite to strengthen its position in the cybersecurity space.
Analyzing AIG’s Life and Personal Insurance Business
AIG’s pretax operating income for personal insurance stood at $330 million in 2Q17. In 2Q16, it stood at $152 million.
Why AIG’s Net Income Fell on a Year-over-Year Basis
AIG is expected to post earnings per share of $1.22 in 3Q17, an ~20.3% decline from its 2Q17 earnings. AIG is expected to report revenues of ~$11.8 billion in 3Q17.
Why Analysts Are Rethinking Their Near-Term Iron Ore Price Forecasts
Goldman Sachs is bullish Although Goldman Sachs (GS) is bullish on the near-term price forecasts for iron ore, it believes that the pressure could return in the long run. In the near term, it believes that prices could be supported by the better-than-expected demand in China. Goldman Sachs believes that the supply pressure could build […]
How the US’s Debt Has Become So Big
The US debt-to-GDP ratio now stands at 106.1%, which means that the total US debt is more than the annual US GDP.
Dividend Yield of Franklin Resources
Franklin Resources (BEN) has recorded consistent growth in dividends since at least March 1982.
Why Most Wall Street Analysts Recommend a ‘Hold’ for IFF
International Flavors and Fragrances continues to work towards its 2020 vision of increasing its revenue by $500 million by way of acquisitions.
Anworth Mortgage Paid 338.8% of Earnings in Dividends in 2016
Anworth Mortgage (ANH) paid 338.8% of its earnings as dividends in 2016 compared to 102.1% in 1Q17.
Great Ajax’s Dividend Performance
Great Ajax (AJX) has recorded a dividend yield of 3.8% and total returns of 14.3% on a year-to-date basis.
Arbor Realty Trust’s Dividend Growth Prospects
Arbor Realty Trust (ABR) paid 74.1% of its earnings as dividends in 2016 compared to 56.7% in 1Q17.
American Capital Agency: A 5-Year Slump in Funds from Operations
American Capital Agency (AGNC) paid 134.5% of its earnings as dividends in 2016 compared to 257.1% in 1Q17.
What’s Square’s Mission?
With Apple (AAPL) announcing its entry in the peer-to-peer payment market and PayPal (PYPL) stepping up its pursuit of merchant customers, it seems that the competition could suffocate Square (SQ).
How Sensitive Are Wells Fargo’s Earnings to Interest Rates?
Wells Fargo has the largest loan portfolio among US banks (XLF). As of 2Q16, the bank has a loan portfolio of $952 billion.
Why Wells Fargo Has a Less Risky Business Model than JPMorgan Chase
Wells Fargo (WFC) is less exposed to the risky investment banking and trading business than its peers JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C), and Bank of America (BAC).
Interest Rate Sensitivity: JPMorgan Chase versus Wells Fargo
For Wells Fargo, net interest income makes up 53% of its total income while for JPMorgan Chase (JPM), net interest income makes up 46% of its total income.
How Does Wells Fargo Compare with JPMorgan Chase on Profitability?
JPMorgan Chase (JPM) and Wells Fargo (WFC) reported profits of $6.2 billion and $5.6 billion, respectively, in the most recent quarter.