: iStockAnalyst.com Symbols Feed

Street Bracing For Sharp Downside At Open - Buffett Making Bet On Economy With BNSF Rail Purchase

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:16:58 GMT

U.S. stock futures continue to point to a sharply lower open Tuesday. An Australian interest-rate hike is seen as a sign of more tightening to come around the globe, the timing of which will be crucial in keeping the recovery on track. European banking declines weighed on markets there and are likely to pressure their U.S. counterparts. Some shares have improved. Rail deal news was a supportive factor.[More...]

ETF Preview: Transportation Funds Get Boost From BNI Deal - Banking Funds Drop On European News

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:52:36 GMT

Major market ETFs, including the SPY, DIA, UYG and others, are lower in reaction to sharp downside futures trading. European banking declines are weighing on financial markets. An Australian interest-rate hike is seen as a sign of more tightening to come around the globe, the timing of which will be crucial in keeping the recovery on track.[More...]

US Stock Futures Jump After Jobs Report, AIG (NYSE: AIG) Eyed

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:05:00 GMT

US stock futures retreated on Friday after a government release showed that the economy shed a smaller than expected 247,000 jobs in July.[More...]

Four Ways To Profit If Bernanke’s ‘Exit Strategy’ Ignites An Inflationary Firestorm

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:03:32 GMT

After more than a year of lax monetary policy and direct capital infusions, U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke has finally outlined an "exit strategy" that he says will lead to the "smooth and timely" withdrawal of monetary stimulus and keep in[More...]

Lenders Set To Scuttle Continental - Shaeffler Merger; Lawsuits Will Follow

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:03:22 GMT

The second most favorite German soap opera on Zero Hedge (just after the Volkswagen - Porsche melodrama) looks set for a second season. Bloomberg reporting that lenders who hold half of Conti's humongous €11 billion debt load. It's funny it took lenders only about a year to get their case of buyer's remorse sufficiently well crystallized. Now if only Deutsche Bank could be sued in some fashion for half a billion dollars for breaching something or another, it would be a perfect case study of investment banking in the 21st century, where investment banks make their clients richer by i) reneging on contractual financing or otherwise obligations and ii) paying exorbitant settlement amounts (while filing 8-K how the steep curve is a blessing and everyone will soon be a billionaire... if only those pesky consumers were to start borrowing again). From Bloomberg:[More...]

GGP LCDS Auction In Process

Wed, 13 May 2009 16:23:36 GMT

The General Growth Properties LCDS auction is currently ongoing, and just finished the Initial Bidding Period. The results will be posted in about 6 minutes, eventually followed by a final Dutch auction bidding process at 2 pm. The reason this is relevant as it could provide a significant repricing and valid market test of secured obligations in the CRE market. The participating bidders in the auction is provided below (they will hopefully work not only on behalf of their prop desk but for their clients as well). Bank of America, N.A. Barclays Bank PLC Citibank Global Markets Inc. Credit Suisse International Deutsche Bank AG Goldman Sachs Loan Partners J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC UBS Securities LLC Zero Hedge will be following this auction very[More...]

Are Europe’s Banks Next To Be Stressed?

Mon, 11 May 2009 17:09:03 GMT

Now that the results of the U.S. bank stress tests are finally in the books, the extent of the capital shortfalls are known and – in many cases – are actually being addressed.[More...]

Wall Street Surges On Payroll Data, JP Morgan (NYSE: JPM) Rallies

Fri, 08 May 2009 22:44:00 GMT

US stocks extended gains on Friday as investors welcomed economic data that fueled hopes of a strong recovery. Shares also rallied as stress test results boosted sentiment.[More...]

US Stock Futures Point To Higher Open After Jobs Data, Financials In Spotlight

Fri, 08 May 2009 13:03:28 GMT

US stock futures edged higher on Friday on better than expected jobs data. Shares also rose after investors cheered the findings of stress test results.[More...]

China Continues To Expand Its Economic Clout By Challenging The Dollar’s Dominance Ahead Of The G20 Summit

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:30:00 GMT

By Jason Simpkins Managing Editor Money Morning China has been more vocal than ever ahead of tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) Group 20 financial summit, a development that highlights the ... Money Morning is here to help investors profit handsomely on this seismic shift in the global economy. Money moves markets. But Money Morning lets you move first. [More...]

Evening Standard, London, market report column

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:45:00 GMT

Nov. 6--Stock market investors were doing their best to look on the bright side today after the combined losses from Royal Bank of Scotland and British Airways reached £1.79 billion during the first six months of the year.
BA responded with a rise of 9p at 195 1/2p -- making it the best blue chip performer -- while Royal Bank of Scotland, which this week was promised a further £33.5 billion of taxpayers' money, put on 0.4p at 35.6p.
Citigroup sees a brighter future for Lloyds Banking Group, 1/2p better at 83 1/2p, now that the Government has given the UK's biggest mortgage lender the go-ahead to raise £21 billion of new capital.

[More...]

Citizens not for sale: Bailed-out UK owner to put other bank divisions on market

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:48:00 GMT

Nov. 4--Royal Bank of Scotland will be hanging on to Citizens Bank.
RBS -- which was under pressure from European regulators to sell off valuable units -- said yesterday it reached a deal that will allow it to keep Providence-based Citizens, the second largest bank in Massachusetts.
But RBS, which views Citizens as a key holding, said its ownership of Citizens is no longer in doubt.

[More...]

Bank of Scotland could be forced to sell Citizens

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:48:00 GMT

Nov. 3--The Royal Bank of Scotland, which nearly collapsed during last year's financial panic, is trying to avoid a possible sale of U.S. banking arm Citizens Financial Group, according to Reuters news service.
A later government decision to rescind the ordered sale could keep Citizens Bank intact, but European Union regulators still have the option to force divestiture, according to news accounts.
The media have reported that RBS's chief executive, Stephen Hester, considers Citizens a "red line" issue that could weaken his company's chances for recovery if regulators force the bank's sale.

[More...]

Richard Branson Eyes Citizens As Royal Bank of Scotland Reels

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:47:00 GMT

Nov. 3--Virgin Airlines founder Richard Branson is waiting in the wings if Royal Bank of Scotland is forced to sell off its valued units, including Citizens Bank.
RBS confirmed yesterday that European regulators are putting pressure on it to divest some of its holdings as the price for its massive UK government bailout.
RBS' chief executive, Stephen Hester, appears ready to fight a forced sale of Citizens, the second biggest bank in Massachusetts and the ninth largest in America.

[More...]

Evening Standard, London, Market Report Column

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:50:00 GMT

Oct. 28--There was no let-up for the banks this morning as they came under fresh selling pressure in the wake of the EU's insistence that the Dutch state-aided bank ING must be split in two.
Both have received billions of pounds in government aid with the taxpayer now owning 43 percent of Lloyds and 70 percent of RBS. Investors fear the EU may force Lloyds to divest itself of mortgage lender Halifax, which it bought earlier this year as part of HBOS.
The share prices of both banks remain underwater with the taxpayer only starting to break even on its investment when the Lloyds price hits 122.6p and RBS 50.5p.

[More...]

3 Big U.S. Banks Ease Debit Card Overdraft Fees

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:48:00 GMT

Sep. 24--Apparently bowing to growing criticism from lawmakers, regulators, and consumer advocates, three of the nation's largest banks have announced plans to ease their aggressive collection of overdraft fees that are expected to add nearly $40 billion to bank revenue this year.
Wells did not say when the changes would take effect.
Barbara Nate, a spokeswoman for Wachovia Bank, the region's largest bank, now owned by Wells, said Wachovia already allowed customers to opt out of overdraft protection for debit card transactions.

[More...]

Evening Standard, London, Market Report Column

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:48:00 GMT

Sep. 16--Shareholders of explorer Tullow Oil were treated to a double boost today, sending the shares soaring 77p to 1164p, and making them one of the Footsie 100's best performers.
That spilled over into trading today with Italy's ENI tipped to offer up to 2000p a share -- which would value Tullow at more than £15 billion.
Panmure Gordon estimates the Venus B well, operated by Texas-based Anadarko Petroleum, could contain up to 250 million barrels of oil.

[More...]

Britain Flounders in World Table of Banks' Confidence

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:46:00 GMT

Sep. 9--Britain's once-proud banking system is now considered less safe than those of Chad, Burundi and Tajikistan.
The collapse of firms such as Royal Bank of Scotland, HBOS and Bradford & Bingley has profoundly shaken faith in the UK financial sector, the report showed.
It may be cold comfort, but the UK was not the only nation to tumble down the league table.

[More...]

Evening Standard, London, Market Report Column

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:46:00 GMT

Sep. 2--Millionaire hedge fund operator Crispin Odey is a big man who plays for big stakes.
That will not come as reassuring news to life assurer Legal & General where he is taking a £13.4 million gamble with a huge short position in the belief that the share price still has some way to fall short-term.
His vehicle, Odey Asset Management, has gone short of around 191,000 shares, or the equivalent of 0.31 percent of the company which is valued at £4.36 billion.

[More...]

Daily Mail, London, Market Report Column

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 18:51:00 GMT

Aug. 29--Summer in the City is proving to be the best for share prices in donkey's years.
The boom, which has seen the fabulous Footsie soar 15.5 percent during the peak holiday months of July and August, showed no signs of abating.
With the yield on equities currently 4 1/2pc, the yield on gilts is 3 1/2 percent while savings and UK interest rates are set to remain at basement levels for some considerable time to come.

[More...]

Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Signet Jewelers Limited, American Public Education, Inc., 3M, Royal Bank of Scotland and MetLife, Inc.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:55:00 GMT

Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog.
Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE: SIG), American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: AEPI), 3M (NYSE: MMM), Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE: RBS) and MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET).

[More...]

Zacks Bull & Bear of the Day Highlights: Sempra Energy, SLM Corp., The Royal Bank of Scotland, Wendy's/Arby's and Cosan Limited

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:47:00 GMT

Zacks Equity Research picks Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) as Bull of the Day and SLM Corp. (NYSE: SLM) as Bear of the Day.
In addition, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research discuss the latest on The Royal Bank of Scotland (NYSE: RBS), Wendy's/Arby's (NYSE: WEN) and Cosan Limited (NYSE: CZZ).
Full analysis of all these stocks is available at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678

[More...]

Securities Law Firm of Tramont Guerra &Amp; Nunez, PA Makes Announcement to All Royal Bank of Scotland Group, PLC - Preferred Series R Investors

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:46:00 GMT

The Securities Law Firm of Tramont Guerra & Nunez, PA (TGN) makes an announcement to all Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (RBS), 6.125% Series R, Non-cumulative Dollar Preference (NYSE: RBS-PR) shareholders who are prospective class members of a class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 20, 2009.
The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, (NYSE: RBS) and major Wall Street firms were named parties to the class action lawsuit.
Prospective class members need to determine which legal process is more suitable for them to recover investment losses, a class action lawsuit or an individual securities arbitration claim filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, (FINRA).

[More...]

Securities Law Firm of Tramont Guerra & Nunez, PA Makes Announcement to All Royal Bank of Scotland Group, PLC - Preferred Series R Investors

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:02:00 GMT

CORAL GABLES, FL -- -- 02/27/09 -- The Securities Law Firm of Tramont Guerra & Núñez, PA makes an announcement to all Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC , 6.125% Series R, Non-cumulative Dollar Preference shareholders who are prospective class members of a class action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 20, 2009. The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, and major Wall Street firms were named parties to the class action lawsuit. The Co-managers of the securities underwriting, who were named parties included; Citigroup Global Markets , Morgan Stanley & Co. , UBS Securities, LLC and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC. The class action lawsuit alleges that RBS and the major Wall Street firms who were underwriters of the Preferred stock offering solicited investors by means of a prospectus which contained 'material misstatements and omissions.' At the time the prospectus was issued, RBS was suffering from adverse business conditions which were not disclosed. Prospective class members need to determine which legal process is more suitable for them to recover investment losses, a class action lawsuit or an individual securities arbitration claim filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, .[More...]

The Pomerantz Law Firm is Filing Claims On Behalf of Investors in The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc's Series R Shares -- RBS

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:02:00 GMT

Pomerantz Haudek Block Grossman & Gross LLP is filing a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of investors who purchased 6.125% Series R Non-cumulative Dollar Preference Shares offered to the public by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc in December 2006 and purchased any time thereafter. The lawsuit names as defendants RBS, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc , RBS senior officers and directors, and underwriters of the Series R Shares.[More...]

Gardy & Notis, LLP Files Class Action Lawsuit Against The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC -- RBS

Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:46:00 GMT

Gardy & Notis, LLP has filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all purchasers of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC American Depository Shares pursuant to and/or traceable to a false and misleading Registration Statement and Prospectus issued in connection with RBS's June 2007 initial public offering of Non-cumulative Dollar Preference Shares, Series S .[More...]

Murray, Frank & Sailer LLP Investigating Claims against Royal Bank of Scotland Group, plc, Concerning Series R and Series U Preferred Stock

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 02:55:00 GMT

Murray, Frank & Sailer LLP is conducting an investigation of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, plc (“RBS”) (NYSE:RBS), regarding the claims of purchasers and acquirers of: 1) RBS Series “R” 6.125% Preferred Stock (CUSIP 780097747; Google Finance: RBS-PR; Yahoo! Finance: RBS-R) pursuant to the December 13, 2006 public offering; and/or 2) RBS Series “U” 7.64% Preferred Stock (CUSIP 780097697) pursuant to the September 25, 2007 public offering. The investigation concerns violations of Sections 11, 12(a)(2), and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 through the issuance of a materially false and misleading registration statement, prospectuses, and other documents. These documents failed to disclose risks that: 1) RBS’s exposure to the sub-prime mortgage market was understated in violation of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”); 2) RBS’s risk control systems did not function properly; 3) as a result of such exposure, RBS would be forced to take write-downs; 4) such write-downs would substantially decrease RBS’s capital levels; and 5) this would force RBS to accept a bailout by the British government. As these events occurred, the price of RBS securities plummeted.[More...]

Murray, Frank & Sailer LLP Announces Class Action Lawsuit Against Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc.

Sat, 31 Jan 2009 02:55:00 GMT

Murray, Frank & Sailer LLP has filed a class action complaint, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, against Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc (“RBS”) (NYSE:RBS), certain of its officers and directors, and its underwriters, on behalf of a class of: 1) purchasers or acquirers of RBS Series “Q” 6.75% Preferred stock pursuant to the May 18, 2006 public offering; and/or 2) purchasers or acquirers of RBS Series “T” 7.25% Preferred stock pursuant to the September 20, 2007 public offering.[More...]

Girard Gibbs LLP Files Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (NYSE:RBS) (Series T ADS)

Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:58:00 GMT

The law firm of Girard Gibbs LLP (http://www.girardgibbs.com/rbs.asp) has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc ("RBS") (NYSE:RBS) Series T American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"). These shares were issued in connection with RBS’s September 20, 2007 initial public offering of 58 million Series T ADSs (also referred to as “Non-cumulative Dollar Preference Shares”) pursuant to a false and misleading registration statement, prospectus and prospectus supplement (collectively, the “Registration Statement”).[More...]

Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Announces Filing of Class Action Lawsuit Against The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC -- RBS

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:29:00 GMT

Notice is hereby given that a class action lawsuit was commenced in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of all purchasers of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC American Depository Shares pursuant and/or traceable to a false and misleading registration statement and prospectus issued in connection with the Company's June 2007 initial public offering of Non-cumulative Dollar Preference Shares, Series S .[More...]