Friday, August 3, 2018

Zacks Investment Research Upgrades Genworth Financial (GNW) to “Strong-Buy”

Genworth Financial (NYSE:GNW) was upgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report issued on Friday. The firm presently has a $5.25 target price on the financial services provider’s stock. Zacks Investment Research‘s price objective indicates a potential upside of 13.88% from the company’s current price.

According to Zacks, “Genworth’s second-quarter earnings per share beat estimates on strong mortgage insurance businesses, improved results across all global business as well as a better performance in U.S. life insurance business. Shares of Genworth have outperformed the industry year to date. The company has agreed to be acquired by China Oceanwide. This merger will firm up Genworth’s financial position in the mortgage insurance and long-term care insurance markets. Also, it will remain committed to its key financial priorities of strengthening the balance sheet as well as stabilizing and improving ratings over time, particularly in its U.S. MI business. The company intensifies its focus on streamlining and rationalizing business to mainly ramp up operations plus enhance financial and strategic flexibility. However, soft performance at Long term care insurance remains a woe.”

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Several other research analysts have also commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Co reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Genworth Financial in a research note on Tuesday, April 24th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Genworth Financial in a research note on Thursday, April 12th. BTIG Research reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Genworth Financial in a research note on Tuesday, June 12th. Finally, ValuEngine lowered shares of Genworth Financial from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Monday, July 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Genworth Financial currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $4.75.

Shares of NYSE GNW traded up $0.01 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $4.61. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 8,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,172,827. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 1.22. Genworth Financial has a 1 year low of $2.66 and a 1 year high of $4.92. The firm has a market cap of $2.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.32 and a beta of 2.41.

Genworth Financial (NYSE:GNW) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 31st. The financial services provider reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $0.27 by $0.13. Genworth Financial had a net margin of 9.32% and a return on equity of 4.85%. The business had revenue of $2.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.15 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.30 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.9% compared to the same quarter last year. equities analysts predict that Genworth Financial will post 0.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of GNW. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Genworth Financial by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,122,951 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $12,822,000 after acquiring an additional 27,203 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in Genworth Financial by 12.2% during the fourth quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 2,491,242 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $7,746,000 after purchasing an additional 270,514 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Genworth Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,655,000. Xact Kapitalforvaltning AB acquired a new stake in Genworth Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $162,000. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Genworth Financial by 28.0% during the fourth quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 102,015 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $317,000 after purchasing an additional 22,307 shares in the last quarter. 65.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Genworth Financial

Genworth Financial, Inc provides insurance and homeownership solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates through five segments: U.S. Mortgage Insurance, Canada Mortgage Insurance, Australia Mortgage Insurance, U.S. Life Insurance, and Runoff. The U.S. Mortgage Insurance segment offers mortgage insurance products primarily insuring prime-based, individually underwritten residential mortgage loans.

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Thursday, August 2, 2018

Maui Land & Pineapple (MLP) Getting Somewhat Negative Media Coverage, Study Shows

News headlines about Maui Land & Pineapple (NYSE:MLP) have trended somewhat negative on Sunday, according to Accern. Accern scores the sentiment of press coverage by analyzing more than 20 million blog and news sources. Accern ranks coverage of companies on a scale of negative one to positive one, with scores nearest to one being the most favorable. Maui Land & Pineapple earned a coverage optimism score of -0.12 on Accern’s scale. Accern also assigned media coverage about the financial services provider an impact score of 46.9225423679959 out of 100, meaning that recent press coverage is somewhat unlikely to have an impact on the stock’s share price in the near term.

Separately, ValuEngine upgraded Maui Land & Pineapple from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 5th.

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Shares of Maui Land & Pineapple traded down $0.15, hitting $12.60, during mid-day trading on Friday, according to MarketBeat.com. 11,128 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 30,686. The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Maui Land & Pineapple has a 52 week low of $9.95 and a 52 week high of $18.80. The firm has a market capitalization of $241.64 million, a PE ratio of 60.00 and a beta of 0.31.

Maui Land & Pineapple (NYSE:MLP) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 25th. The financial services provider reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter. Maui Land & Pineapple had a net margin of 24.99% and a return on equity of 13.95%. The firm had revenue of $2.54 million for the quarter.

About Maui Land & Pineapple

Maui Land & Pineapple Company, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, sells, and manages residential, resort, commercial, agricultural, and industrial real estate properties in the United States. It owns approximately 23,000 acres of land on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The company operates through Real Estate, Leasing, Utilities, and Resort Amenities segments.

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Insider Buying and Selling by Quarter for Maui Land & Pineapple (NYSE:MLP)

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan Sells 1,890 Shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock (BC

Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan cut its holdings in BLUCORA INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:BCOR) by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 49,230 shares of the information services provider’s stock after selling 1,890 shares during the period. Municipal Employees Retirement System of Michigan’s holdings in BLUCORA INC Common Stock were worth $1,822,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in BLUCORA INC Common Stock by 17.7% in the fourth quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 743,835 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $16,438,000 after purchasing an additional 111,971 shares during the last quarter. Global X Management Co. LLC lifted its stake in BLUCORA INC Common Stock by 86.5% in the first quarter. Global X Management Co. LLC now owns 51,641 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $1,270,000 after purchasing an additional 23,956 shares during the last quarter. Stone Ridge Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in BLUCORA INC Common Stock in the fourth quarter worth $368,000. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in BLUCORA INC Common Stock by 13.5% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 414,632 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $9,163,000 after purchasing an additional 49,328 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in BLUCORA INC Common Stock by 33.5% in the fourth quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 200,930 shares of the information services provider’s stock worth $4,441,000 after purchasing an additional 50,370 shares during the last quarter. 94.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Several research firms have weighed in on BCOR. BidaskClub raised shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, July 6th. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock in a research note on Thursday, May 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock in a research note on Thursday, July 12th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $42.00 price target for the company. Craig Hallum set a $47.00 price target on shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, June 7th. Finally, Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. The company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $38.21.

Shares of BLUCORA INC Common Stock opened at $37.65 on Friday, Marketbeat reports. The stock has a market cap of $1.79 billion, a PE ratio of 25.54, a PEG ratio of 1.21 and a beta of -0.04. The company has a quick ratio of 2.34, a current ratio of 2.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. BLUCORA INC Common Stock has a 12 month low of $19.05 and a 12 month high of $40.60.

BLUCORA INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:BCOR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 9th. The information services provider reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.97 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $206.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $195.65 million. BLUCORA INC Common Stock had a net margin of 7.84% and a return on equity of 13.11%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 12.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.04 earnings per share. equities analysts anticipate that BLUCORA INC Common Stock will post 1.57 earnings per share for the current year.

In other news, insider Mathieu Frederic Stevenson sold 16,786 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $25.85, for a total transaction of $433,918.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 40,846 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,055,869.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CEO John S. Clendening sold 35,516 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.06, for a total transaction of $1,032,094.96. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 624,392 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $18,144,831.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 137,906 shares of company stock valued at $4,659,085. Insiders own 2.91% of the company’s stock.

About BLUCORA INC Common Stock

Blucora, Inc provides technology-enabled financial solutions to consumers, small business owners, and tax professionals in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Wealth Management and Tax Preparation. The Wealth Management segment offers an integrated platform of brokerage, investment advisory, and insurance services to financial advisors.

Featured Article: Price to Earnings Ratio (PE) Basics

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Institutional Ownership by Quarter for BLUCORA INC Common Stock (NASDAQ:BCOR)

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Hold V2Retail with a target of Rs 342: Mazhar Mohammad


Mazhar Mohammad

Chartviewindia.in

This counter is gradually drifting down after registering a pullback rally from the lows of Rs 342 to a recent high of Rs 497. However, price behaviour of the last couple of trading sessions on weekly charts with narrow ranges is suggesting that this counter may be on the verge of a breakout in either of the directions.

Such breakouts will result in a swift move based on the direction of the breakout. In case if it closes above Rs 425 then a fresh buying should be considered for a target of Rs 490 whereas a breakdown below Rs 380 on a closing basis.

It may lead to a retest of its corrective swing low of Rs 342. Hence, at best it is a hold with a stop below Rs 380 on a closing basis.

Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. First Published on Jul 18, 2018 03:03 pm

Monday, July 16, 2018

Cities where Americans struggle to afford housing

The government, as well as lenders, generally advise that Americans spend no more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. Households spending more than that on rent or mortgage payments are considered cost burdened and often do not have enough money left over for other necessities. Still, 32 percent of American households are cost burdened, and in some of the country��s more expensive cities, the share is far higher.

Housing is a basic need that is becoming increasingly difficult to meet in the United States. According to ��The State of the Nation��s Housing 2018,�� a report compiled by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, there is a serious shortage of affordable housing in the United States. Nationwide, the median rent climbed 20 percent faster than inflation from 1990 to 2016. The median home price climbed 41 percent faster over the same period.

Rising housing costs are attributable to a number of factors, including better housing quality, rising materials and labor costs, and growing scarcity of developed land. Because of these factors, coupled with weak income growth over the last three decades, housing has become unaffordable for millions of Americans, particularly those in lower- and middle-income brackets.

24/7 Wall Street�reviewed ��The State of the Nation��s Housing 2018�� to identify the 21 metro areas where the largest share of households are struggling to afford their homes. In each metro area on this list, at least 35 percent of all households spend at least 30 percent of their income on housing. In all but two metro area on this list, over half of all households earning between $30,000 and $44,999 a year are burdened by housing costs.

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 (Photo: Thinkstock)

21. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois-Indiana-WisconsinCost-burdened households: 35.0%Cost-burdened low income households: 38.8%Median single-family home value: $214,653Median household income: $65,000Homeownership rate: 63.4%

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is one of 21 major U.S. metro areas where at least 35% of all households spend 30% or more of their income on housing. Some 17.6% of area households are moderately burdened -- spending between 30% and 50% of their income on housing -- and 17.4% of area households are severely burdened, spending over half of their income on housing.

Unlike most cities on this list, housing costs as a proportion of income are rising at a slower rate in Chicago than across the nation as a whole, as is the median home price. Growing affordability of housing in the area may be due to stagnant demand. The metro area's population grew by a 10th of 1% from 2011 to 2016, even as the U.S. population grew by 3.7%. Still, Chicago remains one of the least affordable housing markets in the country.

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20. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New HampshireCost-burdened households: 35.1%Cost-burdened low income households: 64.9%Median single-family home value: $442,151Median household income: $81,200Homeownership rate: 61.3%

The Boston-Cambridge-Newton metro area is one of the wealthiest in the United States -- the typical household there earns $81,200 a year, far more than the national median of $57,000. It is also one of the most expensive places to live. The typical single family home is valued at $442,151, the seventh highest median home value of the 100 largest metro areas in the country. Some 35.1% of households in the Boston metro area spend at least 30% of their income on housing, one of the highest cost burden rates of any city.

Higher housing cost burdens in the city are driven by very low supply relative to demand, particularly among the city's low-income renters. There are less than 47 affordable rental units available for every 100 extremely low income renter households in the metro area.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

19. Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia-North CarolinaCost-burdened households: 35.2%Cost-burdened low income households: 57.7%Median single-family home value: $222,658Median household income: $60,000Homeownership rate: 60.5%

In the Virginia Beach metro area, 35.2% of households spend a disproportionately high share of their income on housing costs. Nearly 16% of area households are severely burdened, spending more than half of their income on housing.

A lack of affordable housing for the metro area's lower-income residents is likely contributing to the problem. Nearly 45% of households in the $30,000-$44,999 income bracket in Virginia beach spend between 30% and 50% of their income on housing.

 (Photo: Getty Images)

18. New Orleans-Metairie, LouisianaCost-burdened households: 36.2%Cost-burdened low income households: 44.5%Median single-family home value: $171,387Median household income: $48,700Homeownership rate: 60.7%

More than one in every three households in the New Orleans metro area pay a large share of their income on housing. Further, the majority of those households are severely burdened by housing costs, meaning they spend over half of their income on their rent or mortgage.

As is often the case, lower-income households are the most likely to be burdened by housing costs. Some 44.5% of households in the $30,000-$44,999 income range pay at least 30% of their income on housing. Meanwhile, only 3.6% of households earning at least $75,000 are disproportionately burdened by housing costs.

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 (Photo: Thinkstock)

17. New Haven-Milford, ConnecticutCost-burdened households: 36.3%Cost-burdened low income households: 61.8%Median single-family home value: $201,182Median household income: $66,500Homeownership rate: 61.2%

New Haven-Milford is one of two Connecticut metro areas to have some of the worst housing cost burdens in the country. The high housing cost burden appears to be driven largely by a lack of low-cost housing options. Nearly 62% of households earning $30,000-$44,999 per year spend a disproportionately large share of their income on housing.

Still, housing has become more affordable in the area in recent years, likely due to an uptick in supply. The total population in the New Haven metro area fell by 0.5% between 2011 and 2016, even as the U.S. population expanded by 3.7%. Over roughly the same period, the ratio of median home price to median income fell by 12%, and the median monthly housing payment as a share of monthly income fell by 5.4%.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

16. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 36.5%Cost-burdened low income households: 76.2%Median single-family home value: $1.2 millionMedian household income: $109,210Homeownership rate: 56.6%

The explosive economic growth in the tech sector in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area led to skyrocketing home prices. As a result, housing has become unaffordable for many area residents. The typical single-family home in San Jose is now valued at $1.2 million, the highest median home value of the nation's 100 largest metro areas. An estimated 36.5% of households spend at least 30% of their incomes on housing, far more than the 32.0% of American households who do.

Housing in San Jose is particularly unaffordable for low income residents. Some 43.4% of households earning between $30,000 and $44,999 a year -- spend over 50% of their incomes on housing, the largest share of any major metro area.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

15. Stockton-Lodi, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 37.0%Cost-burdened low income households: 58.4%Median single-family home value: $347,675Median household income: $59,000Homeownership rate: 54.1%

Some 37% of households in the Stockton-Lodi metro area are moderately or severely burdened by housing costs. Low-income residents are disproportionately affected. Over half of area households earning $30,000-$44,999 a year spend at least 30% of their income on housing costs. The city of Stockton is planning to pay its poorest residents a basic income to offset rising housing costs and reduce homelessness.

High demand is likely partially to blame for the disproportionately high housing costs in the metro area. Like in a number of other West Coast housing markets, inventory of homes for sale fell in each of the last three years in Stockton-Lodi.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

14. Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 37.2%Cost-burdened low income households: 59.8%Median single-family home value: $391,391Median household income: $64,000Homeownership rate: 59.1%

The Sacramento metro area is one of a handful nationwide to have fewer than 20 affordable rental units for every 100 low-income households. As a result, nearly 60% of area households in the $30,000-$44,999 income range are especially burdened by housing costs.

Rapid population growth in the metro area is driving up housing demand and also likely costs. The number of people living in the Sacramento metro area increased by 5.5% from 2011 to 2016, faster than the national population growth rate of 3.7%. Over roughly the same period, the typical monthly mortgage payment in the metro area increased by 92.5%, more than double the 41.4% increase nationwide.

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 (Photo: f11photo / Getty Images)

13. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 37.4%Cost-burdened low income households: 70.1%Median single-family home value: $909,836Median household income: $96,000Homeownership rate: 53.6%

The San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward metro area is one of the wealthiest in the country. The typical household there earns $96,000 a year, nearly $40,000 more than the national median. It is also one of the least affordable places in the country. The typical single-family home costs $909,836, the second highest median home value of the nation's 100 largest metro areas. Some 37.4% of households spend at least 30% of their incomes to housing costs, far more than the 32.0% of households nationwide that spend at least 30% on housing costs.

San Francisco housing is particularly unaffordable for the middle class. Of households earning $45,000-$74,999 a year, 55.9% are cost-burdened by housing, the largest share of any major U.S. metro area.

 (Photo: Sean Pavone / Getty Images)

12. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FloridaCost-burdened households: 37.6%Cost-burdened low income households: 55.6%Median single-family home value: $217,129Median household income: $52,000Homeownership rate: 59.3%

The Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metro area has undergone rapid population growth over the past several years. The city's population grew by 12.4% between 2011 and 2016, more than three times the national population growth rate of 3.7%. The increased demand for housing has contributed to a massive increase in home values, making real estate less affordable for many of Orlando's lower income residents. The typical home in Orlando is now worth 4.4 times the median income in the city, up 50% from five years ago -- the eighth largest increase in price-to-income ratio of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas. Today, some 37.6% of Orlando households are cost burdened, far more than the 32.0% of households nationwide.

 (Photo: Getty Images)

11. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NevadaCost-burdened households: 37.6%Cost-burdened low income households: 57.0%Median single-family home value: $250,491Median household income: $55,000Homeownership rate: 52.3%

The Las Vegas metro area reported one of the steepest housing price increases in 2017. Area home prices rose by 14% last year compared to a 6.2% average increase nationwide. Renters in the metro area are not spared either, over 50% are moderately or severely burdened by rent prices. Currently, Las Vegas is one of just a handful of major metro areas with fewer than 20 affordable rental units available for every 100 low-income households.

Across Las Vegas, 37.6% of households pay more than they can afford on housing. Almost half of those burdened spend over 50% of their income on housing.

 (Photo: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images)

10. Bakersfield, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 38.8%Cost-burdened low income households: 44.5%Median single-family home value: $204,670Median household income: $50,000Homeownership rate: 57.0%

Bakersfield is one of 10 California metro areas to rank on this list. A relatively large share of Bakersfield residents face serious financial hardship. Some 22.7% live below the poverty line, one of the highest poverty rates of any U.S. metro area and well above the 14.0% U.S. poverty rate. Low income Americans are the most vulnerable to housing cost burdens and likely account for a large share of Bakersfield's high housing cost burden rate. Some 38.8% of households in the area spend at least 30% of their income on housing, the 10th largest share of any U.S. metro area.

 (Photo: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images)

9. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, ConnecticutCost-burdened households: 38.9%Cost-burdened low income households: 76.6%Median single-family home value: $323,589Median household income: $89,700Homeownership rate: 65.3%

The Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk metro area is one of the less affordable cities in the United States. The typical single-family home in Bridgeport is worth $323,589, one of the higher median home values of the 100 largest metro areas. Overall, some 38.9% of households spend more than 30% of incomes on housing, far more than the 32.0% of households that spend more than 30% of incomes nationwide.

Housing is particularly unaffordable for the area's low income residents. Bridgeport has the highest income inequality of any major metro area, and 76.6% of low income households -- earning between $30,000 and $45,000 -- spend at least 30% of their incomes on housing, the largest share nationwide.

More:Are these the worst cities to live in? Study looks at quality of life across the U.S.

 (Photo: Art Wager / Getty Images)

8. Urban Honolulu, HawaiiCost-burdened households: 40.3%Cost-burdened low income households: 68.8%Median single-family home value: N/AMedian household income: $78,800Homeownership rate: 54.1%

Home prices have risen far faster than incomes in the Honolulu metro area. San Jose and Los Angeles are the only U.S. metro areas with higher median home sale price-to-income ratios than Honolulu. The the typical home in Honolulu sells for 9.2 times the area's median household income, more than double the national sale price-to-income ratio of 4.2.

For many in the Honolulu metro area, the high housing costs leave little disposable income for other expenses. More than two out of every three households in the $30,000-$44,999 income bracket are housing cost-burdened, as are more than half of households in the $45,000-$74,999 income range. Though the implications of being housing cost-burdened may be less grave for higher income Americans, 18.8% of Honolulu households earning at least $75,000 spend 30% or more of their income on housing, the largest share of any U.S. metro area.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

7. Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 40.4%Cost-burdened low income households: 73.3%Median single-family home value: $578,148Median household income: $78,000Homeownership rate: 62.1%

The Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura metro area has some of the most expensive real estate in the country. The typical area home is worth $578,148, the fourth highest median home value of metro areas considered. As a result, it is one of only five metro areas nationwide where most residents who financed their home spend over $4,000 per month on mortgage payments.

There is also a shortage of affordable, low-income housing in the metro area. Some 73.3% of households earning $30,000-$44,999 a year are strained by housing costs. The majority of those cost burdened low-income households spend over half of their income on housing.

 (Photo: Getty Images)

6. Fresno, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 41.2%Cost-burdened low income households: 52.1%Median single-family home value: $235,570Median household income: $48,600Homeownership rate: 52.9%

Housing in the Fresno metro area is 10% less expensive on average than it is nationwide. Still, it has one of the largest shares of housing cost burdened residents in the country. The typical household in Fresno earns just $48,600 a year, $8,400 less than the U.S. median and the 11th lowest median household income of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas. Some 41.2% of Fresno households are housing cost burdened, far more than the 32.0% of cost-burdened households nationwide.

Fresno is currently in need of some 35,000 affordable housing units -- but funding the project is proving to be a challenge. California requires that the apartments be solar powered and that construction workers be paid higher wages than they would receive on private sector projects, driving up construction costs considerably.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

5. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 42.9%Cost-burdened low income households: 63.0%Median single-family home value: $349,689Median household income: $56,800Homeownership rate: 61.1%

Three of the five U.S. metro areas with the worst housing cost burden rates are in California. In Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, 42.9% of households spend at least 30% of their income on housing, well above the 32.0% of cost-burdened households nationwide. In recent years, housing costs have climbed far faster than incomes. As of 2017, the area's median home price was 5.7 times the area's median household income, a 56.9% increase from five years earlier.

Housing costs are likely driven up in large part by increasing demand. The metro area's population grew by 5.2% from 2011 to 2016, well above the comparable U.S. population growth rate of 3.7%.

More:Who is getting paid more? 16 states where personal incomes are booming

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

4. New York-Newark-Jersey City, New York-New Jersey-PennsylvaniaCost-burdened households: 43.0%Cost-burdened low income households: 72.4%Median single-family home value: $420,083Median household income: $71,000Homeownership rate: 51.0%

Of the 43% of households in the New York metro area that are cost burdened, more than half spend over 50% of their income on housing. The metro area's poor are disproportionately burdened by housing costs. Some 72.4% of households in the $35,000-$44,999 income bracket spend at least 30% of their income on housing. In an attempt to reduce the number of households affected by high housing costs, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is on track to build 300,000 new affordable housing units in the city by 2026.

The city's high housing costs are likely exacerbating New York's homeless problem. While homelessness is declining across the vast majority of the country's largest metro areas, New York's homeless population is the largest in the country, climbing in three out of the last four years to over 80,000.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

3. San Diego-Carlsbad, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 43.2%Cost-burdened low income households: 71.3%Median single-family home value: $570,533Median household income: $70,000Homeownership rate: 52.1%

In San Diego, rising home prices have contributed to one of the least affordable housing markets in the country. The price of the typical single-family home relative to income in San Diego increased by 29.7% over the last five years, one of the largest increases of any city. Today some 43.2% of area households spend at least 30% of their incomes on housing, the third largest share of cost-burdened residents nationwide. Housing prices may continue to increase rapidly as the city runs out of developable land. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, at its current rate of construction San Diego has just 10 months of new land available for development. By comparison, a balanced market is considered to have 24 to 36 months of land available for housing development.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

2. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FloridaCost-burdened households: 45.7%Cost-burdened low income households: 66.1%Median single-family home value: $263,245Median household income: $50,100Homeownership rate: 58.3%

The ratio of home price-to-income increased more than twice as fast in Miami than it did nationwide over the past five years. While today the typical household in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach earns $50,100 a year -- far less than the national median income of $57,000 -- the typical single-family home sells for $263,245, the 22nd highest median home value of the 100 largest U.S. metro areas. Some 45.7% of Miami households spend at least 30% of their incomes on housing, the largest share of any major city other than Los Angeles. Nearly one in three households earning $30,000 to $44,999 a year are cost burdened by housing prices.

Renters in Miami are not spared. Added amenities and rising construction costs have pushed average rents for new units to over $2,000 in the city. Some 61.2% of renters in the metro area spend at least 30% of their income on housing.

 (Photo: Thinkstock)

1. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CaliforniaCost-burdened households: 46.7%Cost-burdened low income households: 74.6%Median single-family home value: $631,007Median household income: $65,000Homeownership rate: 47.4%

In Los Angeles, housing prices increased at a faster rate than income, leading to the city becoming unaffordable for a large share of residents. Some 46.7% of city households are considered housing cost burdened, the largest share nationwide. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, a household earning the median income in Los Angeles could afford monthly mortgage payments on just 11% of homes recently sold in the area. Just 47.4% of heads of household in Los Angeles own their homes, the lowest homeownership rate of the 100 largest metro areas.

The lack of affordable housing options in Los Angeles likely forces many of the city's lower income residents out of the area, and may force those who cannot afford to leave the metro area into homelessness. According to the JCHS, some 0.48% of the Los Angeles population is homeless, the highest rate of any metro area.

More:What's the richest town in every state?

Detailed findings

Lower-income Americans are more likely to be burdened by housing costs and are often impacted harder by housing cost burdens. Nationwide, 42.6% of households earning $30,000 to $44,999 a year are burdened by housing costs, compared to 22�percent of household in the $45,000 to $74,999 income range and just 6.2 percent of households earning $75,000 or more.

High housing costs can have serious implications for lower-income households. For example, in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk metro area in Connecticut, one in every three households earning $30,000 to $44,999 a year spend over half of their income on housing, and are considered severely cost burdened. That means an area household earning $35,000 and spending 55 percent of income on rent or a mortgage has only about $1,300 left over a month to spend on food, utilities, health care, transportation, savings, and any other necessary expense.

While 2.6 percent of households earning $75,000 or more in the Bridgeport metro area are also severely burdened by housing costs, the remaining share of total income can carry them much further. A household in Bridgeport spending 55 percent of its $100,000 annual income on housing would have $3,750 in remaining funds for other monthly expenses.

In many of the cities on this list, low-income households are forced to pay a disproportionate share of their income on housing because of a lack of affordable options. In cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, California, there were fewer than 20 affordable units for every 100 low-income renters in 2016.

Some cities on this list facing similar shortages of affordable low-income housing are taking measures to address the problem. For example, in New York, where 72.4 percent of those earning between $30,000 and $44,999 are burdened by high housing costs, Mayor Bill de Blasio is implementing a program to build 300,000 new affordable housing units in the city by 2026.

Similarly, the city of Stockton, California -- where 58.4 percent of households earning between $30,000 and $44,999 a year are moderately or severely burdened by housing costs -- is planning to pay its poorest residents a basic income to offset rising housing costs and reduce homelessness.

In addition to the broad trends affecting housing costs across the nation as a whole, increasing demand partially explains high housing costs in many of the cities on this list. Between 2011 and 2016, the U.S. population grew by 3.7 percent. Population growth outpaced the national growth rate in 14 of the 19 cities on this list for which data is available. In 10 of those metro areas, the median monthly mortgage payment increased by more than the 41.4 percent national average over roughly the same period -- nearly doubling in some cases.

More:Migration and growth: The fastest growing (and shrinking) cities in the US

Methodology

To identify the U.S. cities where the most households struggle to afford their homes, 24/7 Wall Street reviewed data from ��The State of the Nation��s Housing 2018,�� a report compiled by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. The rank is based on the share of households in a given metro area paying 30 percent or more of their monthly income on housing. The rank, which was included in the JCHS report, was calculated using median household income, adjusted to a monthly rate, and the median price of an existing single-family home. Only those cities where at least 35 percent of households spend 30 percent or more of their income on housing were included on this list. Income-to-home price ratios, which were also included in the JCHS report, were calculated using Moody��s 2017 income projections. All other measures of income are from the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau��s American Community Survey. Population estimates are also from the ACS.

24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Friday, July 13, 2018

There��s one media stock that��s outperforming Netflix

Netflix may have surged 110 percent so far this year, but World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has been giving the streaming giant a run for its money and market watchers believe the stock will continue to clean house.

Shares of WWE rallied 3 percent Friday as Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $100 from $58. As WWE was trading around $76 on Friday morning, this means that analysts are predicting another 30 percent upside for the name.

Oppenheimer technician Ari Wald is also bullish on WWE and believes the stock is about to soar even higher than the 152 percent it has already surged this year.

��This is a great example of momentum in markets,�� he said Thursday on CNBC��s ��Trading Nation.�� ��All of the academic research shows that stocks with high risk-adjusted returns over the previous year usually continue to be the leaders over the coming year, and we like momentum.��

While Wald does describe WWE as ��stretched and a bit extended off its moving averages,�� he does emphasize that the same momentum he sees will carry the stock higher.

��I think if you��re in it, you stick with it,�� he added. ��Speaking in terms of trading levels we see near-term support at the stock��s late June gap at around $68.��

Mark Tepper, CEO of Strategic Wealth Partners, also believes WWE rules the ring where individual stock names are concerned, especially given the fundamental story behind the stock.

��They��ve been focusing on increasing original content, growing their subscriber base, [and] negotiating new TV deals which all really bode well for the stock,�� Tepper said on ��Trading Nation.�� ��While the media and entertainment industry is really competitive, they��ve really got the wrestling niche obviously locked down. So I find it really hard to believe that any other wrestling entertainment company could enter this market and compete.��

On top of that, Tepper points to the company��s upcoming broadcast deals with Fox and Comcast as big tail winds for the stock, projecting a 360 percent growth for WWE��s business.

However, Tepper cautions that as great as these fundamental tail winds may be, they may already be priced in and the stock��s rally could hit a standstill.

��I think at a forward PE at 380 all of this good news is really already priced in,�� he said. ��So for us, it��s just tough to justify buying any new positions in this stock at this point right here.��

Since the TV deals with Fox and Comcast were announced on June 26, WWE has rallied 14 percent.

Disclosure: Comcast is the owner of NBCUniversal, parent company of CNBC and CNBC.com.

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Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Pepsi stock pops on strong snack sales

Pepsi kicked off second quarter earnings season in refreshing style.

The soda and snacks giant reported profits that topped Wall Street's forecasts because of solid sales from its Frito-Lay unit and healthy demand from China and other overseas markets.

Shares of Pepsi (PEP) popped more than 3% on the news Tuesday. Rival Coca-Cola (KO), which will report quarterly results on July 25, was up 1%.

The better-than-expected results helped push the broader market higher Tuesday. And it set a positive tone as investors prepare for a deluge of earnings reports in the coming days and weeks.

Delta Air Lines (DAL) will report its results Thursday morning while big banks JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Wells Fargo (WFC) and Citigroup (C) release earnings Friday.

Investors are eager to hear about what impact, if any, a new round of global tariffs could have on sales and profits.

But Pepsi Chief Financial Officer Hugh Johnston said in an interview with CNNMoney that worries about a global trade war have not hurt sales in international markets so far.

"We haven't seen any material or notable impact from all the dialogue about trade and tariffs that is happening," he said, before adding that it's tough to predict what might come next.

Still, Pepsi is benefiting from strong sales in most emerging markets including China, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Bonnie Herzog, an analyst with Wells Fargo, noted in a report Tuesday morning that the "solid results in emerging markets" is the biggest plus for Pepsi right now.

But the biggest challenge for Pepsi remains its domestic beverage unit. Sales were down slightly from a year ago.

Johnston said there was improvement in sales at the company's Gatorade and Mountain Dew businesses -- because of new product launches like the zero-sugar Gatorade, the lemon-lime Ice flavor of Mountain Dew and the limited edition Mountain Dew Baja Blast.

But getting the core Pepsi product back on track is still a work in progress. The turnaround is at the early stages, and includes a new ad campaign geared toward younger consumers, featuring New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge.

Pepsi's beverage business isn't just facing a demand issue in the US, though. Operating profits took a sizable hit, falling 16%, because of an increase in commodity prices squeezing margins and increased transportation costs.

A shortage of qualified truckers in the US has been an issue for many food and beverage companies.

Johnston said the problem will continue for Pepsi for the next few quarters and that ultimately, the company will probably need to raise wages further to induce people to take trucking jobs.

Wall Street didn't seem too worried. The continued strength in the Frito-Lay division, which includes the popular Doritos and Cheetos brands, is helping to offset the slumps in soft drinks and at the Quaker Foods unit, which also posted a drop in sales.

Pablo Zuanic of Susquehanna Financial Group said in a report after the earnings were released Tuesday that the accelerated growth at Frito-Lay is the main reason he continues to like Pepsi stock.

Still, shares of Pepsi -- as well as Coke and many other supermarket staples -- are in the red for 2018 as investors worry about how Amazon (AMZN), Walmart (WMT)and Kroger (KR) are squeezing prices.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

European stocks slip, with no break for trade-war concerns

European stocks slipped Wednesday, with global trade concerns still hovering over markets, as China readies tariffs on the U.S. and the EU looks at mustering big auto-making countries to agree a new trade deal.

How markets are moving

The Stoxx Europe 600 index SXXP, +0.15% � was off 0.1% at 379.30, paced by losses for the industrial and consumer services sector. But the telecom and utility groups moved higher, as financials notched a small gain. The pan-European index on Tuesday rose 0.8%.

Trading volumes are expected to be lighter than usual because U.S. financial markets are closed for the Independence Day holiday.

Germany��s DAX 30 index DAX, -0.07% �shed 0.3% to 12,312.07, and France��s CAC 40 index PX1, +0.27% was fractionally lower at 5,315.99.

The U.K.��s FTSE 100 index UKX, -0.25% �fell 0.3% to 7,572.11, while Spain��s IBEX 35 IBEX, +0.63% �picked up 0.3% to 9,685.30, adding to Tuesday��s jump of 1.1%.

The euro EURUSD, -0.1715% traded at $1.1665, little changed from $1.1661 late Tuesday in New York.

What��s driving the market

Trading volumes are expected to be lighter than usual, because U.S. financial markets are closed for the Independence Day holiday. In addition, traders are turning some focus to the monthly U.S. jobs report, due Friday.

Even so, the impact of U.S. President Trump��s campaign to correct what he considers unfair trade conditions with its trading partners continues to reverberate worldwide.

China is expected to begin imposing tariffs on $34 billion of U.S. goods on Friday, and the Trump administration��s tariffs on up to $50 billion in Chinese imports are due to take effect the same day. However, Beijing��s tariffs will kick in 12 hours sooner due to the time difference.

Meanwhile, European Union officials are weighing up the idea of talks with the big auto-making countries, to come up with a plurilateral deal to cut auto tariffs, the Financial Times reported Wednesday. Such a move could help stave off an all-out trade war. President Donald Trump has said the threat of global auto tariffs is his biggest weapon in extracting concessions from trading partners.

Don��t miss: How Trump��s European auto tariff proposal could backfire

At the same time, China is pushing for the European Union to join forces against Trump��s trade policies at summit next weekend in Beijing, according to a Reuters report.

German political crisis

Leaders from the Social Democrats (SPD) are still reportedly considering whether to support a deal for tighter control over immigration agreed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Interior Minister Horst Seehofer late Monday. A dispute on the issue had threatened to bring down the country��s coalition government, and the agreement is seen as easing the threat.

The three coalition parties �� the SPD, Merkel��s Christian Democrats (CDU) and Seehofer��s Christian Social Union (CSU) �� are expected to continue talks on Thursday.

Check out: Why Merkel��s immigration deal isn��t as good as it seems

What strategists are saying

��Financial markets are set to pause for breath on Wednesday, with the U.S. off for Independence Day and traders take stock ahead of nonfarm payrolls on Friday. There is still an underlying concern over global trade tensions, but for now there is a degree of consolidation setting in,�� said Richard Perry, market analyst at Hantec Markets, in a note.

Stock movers

J Sainsbury PLC shares SBRY, +1.79% �picked up 1.4% after Britain��s second-largest grocer said it��s agreed to a financing package of 拢3.50 billion ($4.61 billion) for its proposed merger with Asda. Like-for-like sales in the first-quarter rose 0.2%, but that was slower than the 0.9% rate logged in the fourth quarter.

ThyssenKrupp TKA, +1.10% �rose 1.2% following a ratings upgrade at UBS to buy from neutral, which said the signing of a letter of intent to form a joint venture with Tata Steel 500470, +1.53% �opens the door for roughly 50% upside to fair value.

Vifor Pharma AG VIFN, +6.37% �topped advancers on the Stoxx 600 by rising 4.5%, while silicon wafer company Siltronic AG WAF, -5.18% � led decliners as its shares fell 5.3%.

Economic docket

The final reading on services-sector activity in the eurozone in June came in at 54.9 from IHS Markit. The flash PMI figure was 54.8. Reading above 50 indicate expansion.

Rates of expansion in business activity, new orders and employment accelerated, while business optimism ticked higher for the first time in four months,�� said IHS Makit in a statement.

The U.K.��s services PMI was 55.1 in June, an 8-month high that surpassed the FactSet estimate of 54.0.

Carla Mozee

Carla Moz茅e is a reporter for MarketWatch, based in London. Follow her on Twitter @MWMozee.

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Comment Related Topics European Markets Europe Investing Stocks European Central Bank Quote References SXXP +0.56 +0.15% DAX -8.95 -0.07% PX1 +14.37 +0.27% UKX -18.83 -0.25% IBEX +60.90 +0.63% EURUSD -0.0020 -0.1715% SBRY +5.70 +1.79% TKA +0.23 +1.10% 500470 +8.55 +1.53% VIFN +10.15 +6.37% WAF -6.40 -5.18% Show all references MarketWatch Partner Center Most Popular How will investors know if there��s a full-blown trade war? Here��s what Wall Street says One of 2018��s most successful stock plays may be about to turn Micron stock dives as China reportedly blocks sales, other chip stocks join in fall Walmart says it will remove anti-Trump items after #BoycottWalmart campaign Here��s the updated list of 78 stores Sears is closing in September Community Guidelines �� FAQs

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Head to Head Contrast: Walker & Dunlop (WD) & Medallion Financial (MFIN)

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD) and Medallion Financial (NASDAQ:MFIN) are both small-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations and dividends.

Profitability

Get Walker & Dunlop alerts:

This table compares Walker & Dunlop and Medallion Financial’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Walker & Dunlop 29.20% 19.19% 5.08%
Medallion Financial -80.33% -3.52% -1.54%

Dividends

Walker & Dunlop pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Medallion Financial does not pay a dividend. Walker & Dunlop pays out 21.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Walker & Dunlop and Medallion Financial, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Walker & Dunlop 0 1 3 0 2.75
Medallion Financial 0 1 1 0 2.50

Walker & Dunlop presently has a consensus price target of $61.50, indicating a potential upside of 8.58%. Medallion Financial has a consensus price target of $7.50, indicating a potential upside of 41.78%. Given Medallion Financial’s higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Medallion Financial is more favorable than Walker & Dunlop.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Walker & Dunlop and Medallion Financial’s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio
Walker & Dunlop $711.86 million 2.47 $211.12 million $4.76 11.90
Medallion Financial $19.71 million 6.56 -$7.12 million $0.31 17.06

Walker & Dunlop has higher revenue and earnings than Medallion Financial. Walker & Dunlop is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Medallion Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

80.6% of Walker & Dunlop shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 17.3% of Medallion Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 11.2% of Walker & Dunlop shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 16.7% of Medallion Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility and Risk

Walker & Dunlop has a beta of 0.88, meaning that its stock price is 12% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Medallion Financial has a beta of 1.74, meaning that its stock price is 74% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Walker & Dunlop beats Medallion Financial on 10 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop, Inc., through its subsidiaries, originates, sells, and services a range of multifamily and other commercial real estate loans for owners and developers of real estate in the United States. The company offers multifamily properties and commercial real estate finance products, such as first mortgage loans, second trust loans, supplemental financings, construction loans, mezzanine loans, and bridge/interim loans. It provides multifamily finance for multifamily, manufactured housing communities, student housing, affordable, and senior housing properties under the Fannie Mae DUS program; and FHA finance, such as construction and permanent loans to developers and owners of multifamily housing, affordable housing, senior housing, and healthcare facilities. The company also acts as an intermediary in the placement of commercial real estate debt between institutional sources of capital, including life insurance companies, investment banks, commercial banks, pension funds, commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) issuers, and other institutional investors, as well as owners of various types of commercial real estate. In addition, it advises on capital structure; develops the financing package; facilitates negotiations between its client and institutional sources of capital; coordinates due diligence; and assists in closing the transaction, as well as offers interim loans and CMBS products, and investment sales brokerage services. Further, the company offers underwriting and risk management, servicing and asset management, and direct loan originators and correspondent network services. Walker & Dunlop, Inc. was founded in 1937 and is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

About Medallion Financial

Medallion Financial Corp., through with its subsidiaries, operates as a specialty finance company in the United States. It originates, acquires, and services loans that finance taxicab medallions and various types of commercial businesses. The company offers consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, motorcycles, and trailers, as well as to finance small scale home improvements; and commercial loans for the purchase of equipment and related assets necessary to open a new business, or purchase or improvement of an existing business. It also provides secured mezzanine loans to businesses in various industries, including manufacturing, and various service providers; and asset based loans. In addition, the company offers other secured commercial loans to various businesses comprising retail trade and various service providers; and other debt, mezzanine, and equity investment capital to companies in various industries. Further, it raises deposits and conducts other banking activities. Medallion Financial Corp. was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in New York City, New York.

Friday, June 29, 2018

U.S. stocks jump at the open as Wall Street closes out week, month and quarter

U.S. stock benchmarks on Friday opened with solid gains, led by a rally for financials stocks, after some of the nation's biggest banks were granted a regulatory blessing by the Federal Reserve to return capital to shareholders late Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +1.07% rose 180 points, or 0.7%, at 24,395, partly aided by a surge in shares of Nike Inc. NKE, +11.85% up 11%, which reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results and announced a $15 billion stock buyback plan. The S&P 500 index SPX, +0.86% climbed 0.6% at 2,731, with the banking sector, as measured by the exchange traded Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF XLF, +1.50% which comprises JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPM, +1.31% Citigroup Inc. C, +2.30% and other large-capitalization bank shares, showing gains of 1.4%. The so-called XLF fund had recently put its longest string of declines ever, leading up to the annual test by the Fed of the banking sector's ability to withstand shocks--a stress test that was instituted following the carnage of the 2007-09 financial crisis. The Nasdaq Composite Index COMP, +0.84% meanwhile, rose 0.6% to 7,544. Friday's trade closes out trading for the week and for June, but also represents the end of the second quarter and the first half of 2018--a period that has mostly been colored by volatile trade and fears about escalating tariff tensions between the U.S. and its partners in China, Europe and North America. Investors have feared that trade tensions and toughened rhetoric could devolve into a market-disrupting clash.

Quote References DJIA +258.73 +1.07% NKE +8.50 +11.85% SPX +23.49 +0.86% XLF +0.40 +1.50% JPM +1.38 +1.31% C +1.54 +2.30% COMP +62.88 +0.84% Show all references MarketWatch Partner Center Most Popular ��OK Google, give everybody in America a free speaker�� The stock market is days away from setting a bearish rec

Monday, June 25, 2018

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now

tags:CRZO,VMO,ARE,

Rollins (NYSE:ROL) reported first-quarter�financial results on April 25. With all of its core business segments enjoying solid growth, the pest control specialist is reinvesting part of its tax savings into employee-retention-boosting initiatives, which management believes will drive further profit gains in the coming years.

Rollins results: The raw numbers

Metric

Q1 2018

Q1 2017

Year-Over-Year Change

Revenue

$408.7 million

$375.2 million

8.9%

Net income

$48.5 million

$40.3 million

20.5%

Earnings per share

$0.22

$0.18

22.2%

Data source: Rollins Q1 2018 earnings press release.

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.(CRZO)

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Stephan Byrd]

    Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Carrizo Oil & Gas (CRZO)

    For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

  • [By Matthew DiLallo]

    Shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc (NASDAQ:CRZO) jumped nearly 13% by 1:45 p.m. EDT on Tuesday after the company reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter results.

  • [By Max Byerly]

    Carmignac Gestion raised its position in shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc (NASDAQ:CRZO) by 122.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,000,000 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock after purchasing an additional 550,000 shares during the quarter. Carmignac Gestion owned 1.22% of Carrizo Oil & Gas worth $16,000,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

  • [By Benzinga News Desk]

    Carl Icahn fired off a letter to the board of AmTrust Financial Services (NASDAQ: AFSI) Thursday, blasting the firm for pursuing an “opportunistic going-private transaction” that would squeeze out minority shareholders: Link

    ECONOMIC DATA Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President Robert Kaplan will speak at 9:15 a.m. ET. Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard is set to speak at 9:15 a.m. ET. The Baker Hughes North American rig count report for the latest week will be released at 1:00 p.m. ET. ANALYST RATINGS Evercore upgraded Marriott (NASDAQ: MAR) from In-Line to Outperform Piper Jaffray upgraded Mellanox Technologies (NASDAQ: MLNX) from Neutral to Overweight Jefferies downgraded Carrizo Oil (NASDAQ: CRZO) from Buy to Hold Imperial downgraded Planet Fitness (NYSE: PLNT) from Outperform to In-Line

    This is a tool used by the Benzinga News Desk each trading day — it's a look at everything happening in the market, in five minutes. To get the full version of this note every morning, click here.

  • [By Joseph Griffin]

    Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CRZO. Sterling Investment Advisors Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $128,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $212,000. Quantitative Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $235,000. Cypress Capital Management LLC WY purchased a new stake in shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $296,000. Finally, Bowling Portfolio Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Carrizo Oil & Gas in the 4th quarter worth about $306,000.

    ILLEGAL ACTIVITY NOTICE: “Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (CRZO) Receives $27.00 Consensus Target Price from Brokerages” was originally reported by Ticker Report and is the property of of Ticker Report. If you are viewing this news story on another site, it was illegally copied and republished in violation of international copyright law. The legal version of this news story can be viewed at https://www.tickerreport.com/banking-finance/3380380/carrizo-oil-gas-inc-crzo-receives-27-00-consensus-target-price-from-brokerages.html.

    Carrizo Oil & Gas Company Profile

  • [By Matthew DiLallo]

    That bullish inventory number, along with the potential for even higher oil prices, sent oil stocks soaring, with several smaller producers spiking more than 10% today. Among that group was EP Energy (NYSE:EPE), Sanchez Energy (NYSE:SN), Denbury Resources (NYSE:DNR), HighPoint Resources (NYSE:HPR), and Carrizo Oil & Gas (NASDAQ:CRZO).

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Invesco Municipal Opportunity Trust(VMO)

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Logan Wallace]

    Invesco Van Kampen Municpl Opprtnty Trst (NYSE:VMO) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, April 3rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.0554 per share by the investment management company on Monday, April 30th. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.66%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 16th.

Top Financial Stocks To Watch Right Now: Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.(ARE)

Advisors' Opinion:
  • [By Todd Campbell]

    It's not just tech companies that can trace their roots back to a garage. According to co-founder Joel Marcus,�Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE)�-- a real estate investment trust specializing in life sciences laboratory and office space -- got its start in a garage, too. Since its founding in 1994, Alexandria Real Estate has grown into an $18 billion commercial real estate Goliath with $1.1 billion in annual revenue. Can this company's success continue?�I recently spoke with Marcus to learn more about the company and its opportunities.

  • [By Stephan Byrd]

    Aecon Group Inc. (TSE:ARE) – Stock analysts at Desjardins cut their FY2018 earnings estimates for Aecon Group in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, May 24th. Desjardins analyst B. Poirier now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $0.96 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $1.14. Desjardins currently has a “Buy” rating on the stock.

  • [By Chris Neiger, Anders Bylund, and Todd Campbell]

    Fortunately for you, we asked a few Motley Fool contributors for companies that many investors may not consider dividend stocks, but that have the potential to be great long-term picks. Here's why Alexandria Real Estate (NYSE:ARE), Walt�Disney (NYSE:DIS), and Nielsen Holdings (NYSE:NLSN) made this list.

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

First Interstate BancSystem (FIBK) Receives $46.00 Consensus Target Price from Brokerages

Shares of First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ:FIBK) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Buy” from the eight analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, four have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $46.00.

FIBK has been the subject of several recent research reports. Sandler O’Neill reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $46.00 target price on shares of First Interstate BancSystem in a research report on Thursday, March 29th. BidaskClub downgraded shares of First Interstate BancSystem from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 11th. Zacks Investment Research raised shares of First Interstate BancSystem from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, April 27th. ValuEngine downgraded shares of First Interstate BancSystem from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, June 11th. Finally, FIG Partners raised shares of First Interstate BancSystem from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 26th.

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In other news, Director John M. Heyneman, Jr. sold 2,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Sunday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $37.35, for a total value of $74,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 3,621 shares in the company, valued at $135,244.35. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Randall I. Scott sold 6,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.88, for a total transaction of $263,280.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 46,867 shares of company stock valued at $1,996,912 over the last three months. Insiders own 40.23% of the company’s stock.

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in shares of First Interstate BancSystem by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 2,378,676 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $95,266,000 after buying an additional 86,997 shares during the last quarter. Schwab Charles Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of First Interstate BancSystem by 5.9% in the fourth quarter. Schwab Charles Investment Management Inc. now owns 113,102 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,530,000 after buying an additional 6,350 shares during the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of First Interstate BancSystem by 14.4% in the fourth quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 2,156,397 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $86,364,000 after buying an additional 271,054 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its stake in shares of First Interstate BancSystem by 23.4% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 160,249 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $6,419,000 after buying an additional 30,407 shares during the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its stake in shares of First Interstate BancSystem by 9.0% in the fourth quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 35,379 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,417,000 after buying an additional 2,917 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 46.59% of the company’s stock.

First Interstate BancSystem traded up $0.40, reaching $43.55, on Thursday, according to MarketBeat. 206,400 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 178,117. First Interstate BancSystem has a 52-week low of $33.33 and a 52-week high of $44.95. The company has a market capitalization of $2.44 billion, a PE ratio of 21.67, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a current ratio of 0.78.

First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ:FIBK) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.68 EPS for the quarter, meeting the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.68. First Interstate BancSystem had a net margin of 21.49% and a return on equity of 9.50%. The firm had revenue of $135.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $136.17 million. equities analysts forecast that First Interstate BancSystem will post 2.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 24th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 14th were given a $0.28 dividend. This represents a $1.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.57%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 11th. First Interstate BancSystem’s dividend payout ratio is 55.72%.

First Interstate BancSystem Company Profile

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc operates as the bank holding company for First Interstate Bank that provides range of banking products and services in the United States. Its deposit products include checking, savings, time, and demand deposits; and repurchase agreements primarily for commercial and municipal depositors.

Analyst Recommendations for First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ:FIBK)