: iStockAnalyst.com Symbols Feed

Best International Dividend Stocks

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:13:00 GMT

In a previous article I provided a list with the best dividend stocks for the long run. Since the list included only US stocks several readers asked for a similar list with international dividend growth stocks instead. Furthermore, I am also looking to expand my portfolio to include at least some allocation to [More...]

U.S. Insurance Industry - Apr 24 2009 3:06PM

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:57:44 GMT

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry -- a trend that is expected to continue at least through the end of the current year. We also expect further consolidation in the industry. Life Insurers Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. Further, most life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed loans and securities, which will result in further losses in the coming quarters. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). Treasury has stated that some of the life insurers may qualify for TARP because of their Bank Holding Company status.[More...]

At Assurant Investor Day

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 14:03:00 GMT

I own a number of insurers in my portfolio. Each of them has hard-to-replicate business models, with strong cultures, and good management teams (excluding HIG, which is merely a speculation at present). The tickers are listed below.But Assurant is the best in my opinion. Unlike many companies in the life space, their liabilities are stable. Unlike many P&C insurers, their distribution model is inexpensive, and the downside is limited. Unlike many health companies, by focusing on individuals and small groups, and not using “teaser rates,” they have had decades of constant profitability. Unlike many life companies, if the S&P 500 goes up or down, they have no direct risk.Earnings were in the $5+ range in 2007 and 2008. They should be in the same range in 2009, and with Assurant, the[More...]

Ten Comments On The Current Market Melange

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:31:00 GMT

1) I like PartnerRe — they invest in their people; they limit their risks; they keep their balance sheet strong. So it was with pleasure when I saw they had bought back the majority of some of their their junior debt at 50+ cents on the dollar. Good move.2) The short-term performance model for financial stocks recommends insurance brokers and reinsurers here. No surprise, because both of them face little risk on the asset side of the balance sheet. For insurance brokers, short–term performance favors BRO, AOC, and EHTH. For reinsurers, short-term performance favors VR, RNR, GLRE, and AWH. Personally, I would consider BRO and AWH. Very soundly run firms.3) There are troubles with life insurers [More...]

Give Buffett Credit

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:18:00 GMT

The chatty, folksy annual report of Berkshire Hathaway is out. I have occasionally been a critic of Buffett, but this year, I see little to criticize. In a bad year, he told it straight. He lost more book value in 2008 than any other year in percentage and dollar terms. Worse yet, the market capitalization fell much more. But guess what? Berky is the biggest financial company in the US, bar none, by a wide margin. Financials have done horribly, Berky less so. Comparing the book value performance of Berky versus the market value of the S&P 500, this was one of Berky’s best years. Looking at his divisions, insurance, utilities, and other businesses did well, and his investing did horribly, like most of the rest of us. Sure, his timing was bad with[More...]

Earnings Review: February 02, 2009

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:19:04 GMT

Late on Monday, Aflac Inc. (NYSE: AFL) announced that fourth-quarter net income plunged 48% to $197 million, or 42 cents a share, from $382 million, or 78 cents a share in the same quarter, a year ago.[More...]

U.S. Insurance Industry - Jan 2 2009 3:09PM

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:03:00 GMT

Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry. Life Insurers Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008 and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09. ? Property & Casualty[More...]

PartnerRe a Solid Value - Analyst Blog

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:24:00 GMT

PartnerRe Ltd.'s (PRE) 3Q08 operating earnings of $121.3 million or $2.27 per diluted share were substantially ahead of consensus estimate. We remain positive on PRE due to its excellent underwriting abilities, strong capitalization, solid ratings and reputation in the market, which will enable it to take advantage of the stronger demand being witnessed currently, though we suspect that additional losses in the investment portfolio and the current negative sentiment for the financials as a whole may somewhat weigh on the share price. Based on 3Q08 results, we are moderating our FY08 and FY09 estimates to $10.44 per share and $9.95 per share, respectively. At the current price, the shares of PRE trade at 0.98x its 3Q08 book value of $65.38 per share, almost at the bottom of its 10-year range, substantially below the peak of[More...]

Notable Earnings After Market Close (10/22/2008) - Part 2

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:21:00 GMT

Stock Symbols: BSMD,CDNS,CNS,CNW,CRUS,CYBE,FFIV,FNF,GDI,IRBT,KAI,LSI,MCRI,MOH,MRCY,NTRI,PHM,ROL,RYL,SCSS,SKX,TLGD,TSCO,BIDU,CMG,EQIX,NARA,OMTR,OSIP,SJW,PRE,BCR,CVGI,WIRE[More...]

Analyst Comments: Potash, Linear Technology, PartnerRe, Manpower, Tessera Technologies, Gentiva Health, Siliconware, Green Mountain, Kirkland, Colgate-Palmolive

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:52:00 GMT

Potash Corp. (POT) has leverage in higher fertilizer application rates, higher crop plantings, increasing demand for biofuels and rising crop prices. The company is located in low cost areas and its financials are solid. Hence, we rate the stock a Buy with a target price of $250. This is 18.9x our 2008 estimate. Potash Corporation enjoys significant cost advantage with regard to raw materials. All potash produced by the company in Saskatchewan is in the area, where extensive potash deposits are found. Moreover, the company has lower cost nitrogen operations in Trinidad due to the long-term, lower-cost gas contracts with Natural Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited as well as a proximity to the U.S. market. In response to the rising prices of potash products, the company has engaged in the expansion and development of projects that[More...]

Greenfield Group Takes ZBA to Court Over Plant

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:46:00 GMT

Oct. 30--BRATTLEBORO -- A group of Greenfield, Mass., residents has taken its Zoning Board of Appeals to court to contest its decision approving a wood-burning combined heat and power facility within the town limits.
"We feel that the ZBA has been misinformed about pollution and waste water matters," said Leonard Weeks, a member of the group that is appealing the decision.
Pioneer Renewable Energy has proposed a 47-megawatt wood-to-electicity power plant in Greenfield.

: iStockAnalyst.com Symbols Feed

Best International Dividend Stocks

U.S. Insurance Industry - Apr 24 2009 3:06PM

At Assurant Investor Day

Ten Comments On The Current Market Melange

Give Buffett Credit

Earnings Review: February 02, 2009

U.S. Insurance Industry - Jan 2 2009 3:09PM

PartnerRe a Solid Value - Analyst Blog

Notable Earnings After Market Close (10/22/2008) - Part 2

Analyst Comments: Potash, Linear Technology, PartnerRe, Manpower, Tessera Technologies, Gentiva Health, Siliconware, Green Mountain, Kirkland, Colgate-Palmolive

Greenfield Group Takes ZBA to Court Over Plant

PartnerRe to Pursue Acquisition of Remainder of Paris Re Through Merger

North County Times, Escondido, Calif., Dave Downey Column

GOP State Central Committee Leader's Role Fuels Debate: ENERGY PLANT

Retail 3.0: Hispanic Online Audience Grows

Eco-Terror Threat: Connecticut DEP Finds Chemical 'Of Concern' At Wood-Burning Plant Site: WOOD-BURNING PLANT

Eco-Terrorism Threat In Plainfield Under Investigation: PLAINFIELD

Contra Costa Times, Walnut Creek, Calif., Lisa Vorderbrueggen Column: Open Primary Debate Reignites

PartnerRe Ltd. Reports Third Quarter and Nine Month 2009 Results

RidgewaterEquity.Com Free Fundamental Sector &Amp; Market Research on VRX, BBV, GMR, PRE, DB and PZE

PartnerRe to Pursue Acquisition of the Remainder of PARIS RE Through a Merger Following the Purchase of 83% of PARIS RE's Shares

PartnerRe Ltd. Gains Shareholder Approval for Proposals Related to the Acquisition of PARIS RE

Pacific Rubiales Energy Announces the Start of Operations of the Oleoductos de Los Llanos Pipeline (ODL)

Pacific Rubiales Energy Announces More Exploration Success and Operational Update at Quifa Block

Pacific Rubiales Announces Success at Quifa-8 and Provides Exploration Update

Pacific Rubiales Announces Financial Results for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2009

PartnerRe Declares Dividends on Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares and Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares

PartnerRe Ltd. Announces Publication of the Company's 2008 Loss Development Triangles

Form 3 MENDOZA ROBERTO G For: Oct 02 (10K)

Form 4 BAUMGARTNER VITO H For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 Hanratty Judith For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 HOLSBOER JAN H For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 MONTUPET JEAN PAUL L For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 SAUTTER REMY For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 STANCA LUCIO For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 PARTNERRE LTD For: Sep 01 Filed by: ZECH DR JURGEN (10K)

Form 4 ZWIENER DAVID K For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 ROLLWAGEN JOHN A For: Sep 01 (10K)