In April 2009, we published an article on financial services stocks titled 'Five Fs stocks - value enhancers vs value destroyers'. In that article we mentioned that Bank of America, Blackstone Group, and Goldman Sachs are value enhancers for investors. Now, we will outline five financial stocks that are likely to be winners for investors in the remainder of 2009. 

As you expect, the best five financial stocks include Bank of America, Blackstone Group, and Goldman Sachs. In addition we feel JP Morgan, and Fifth Third Bancorp. 

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) managing acquisitions well 

Since that April post, BAC stock has gained 66.3% moving up from $7.6 to $12.64. The stock’s current price is significantly up from its 52 week low price of $2.53. However, it is still significantly below its 52 week high price of $39.5. Though, the stock is not expected to break the 52 week high price of $39.5 soon, I do expect the stock to go past $20 by end 2009. This amounts to a decent return of 57.2% over 12 month period. I am bullish on the stock for the following reasons. 

BAC has managed the troublesome acquisitions, the brokerage Merrill Lynch and the mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, well. Recently, BAC’s Board of Directors authorized approximately $713 million in dividend payments to the U.S. government under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). CEO Ken Lewis has mentioned that his company will not need to borrow any more funds, and that they are well capitalized. Moreover, in a recent concluded survey, BAC knocked Switzerland's UBS AG (UBS) off the top spot as the world's largest private-banking group. 

Blackstone Group (NYSE:BX) diversification strategy paying-off 

BX stock has gained 32.8% moving up from $8.07 the closing price on April 3 to $10.72, the closing price on July 3. The stock’s current price is significantly up (202%) from its 52 week low price of $3.55. However, it is still significantly below (45% down) its 52 week high price of $19.5. Though, the stock is not expected to break the 52 week high price of $19.5 soon, I do expect the stock to go past $15 by end 2009. This amounts to a decent return of 110.1% over 12 month period. I am bullish on the stock for the following reasons. 

According to the Wall Street Journal, China Investment Corp. is reportedly close to investing $500 million into a Blackstone Group LP (NYSE:BX) hedge fund unit.