Financials

During times of turbulence and uncertainty in the markets, many investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. These are often companies that have high free cash flows and reward shareholders with a high dividend payout. Benzinga readers can review the latest analyst takes on their favorite...

On Tuesday, August 8, the U.S. markets closed in the red after credit rating agency Moody's (NYSE: MCO) downgraded several banks, reigniting concerns about the soundness of U.S. banks and the economy. Eight of the S&P 500's eleven key sectors declined. While financials were undoubtedly...

The Nasdaq 100 closed lower on Tuesday. Investors, meanwhile, focused on some notable insider trades. When insiders sell shares, it could be a preplanned sale, or could indicate their concern in the company’s prospects or that they view the stock as being overpriced. Insider sales should not...

Moody's Corp (NYSE: MCO) reported second-quarter FY23 sales growth of 8% year-on-year to $1.49 billion, beating the analyst consensus of $1.45 billion. Moody's Analytics revenue climbed 11% Y/Y to $747 million, and Moody's Investor Service grew 6% to $747 million....

Inflation was out of control, interest rates soared, bonds screamed caution and a recession seemed imminent. Yet, here we are, 20 months later with the S&P 500's bear market nearing a full recovery, just 260 points short. Talk about market resilience! Market Prices as of 4 pm EST, 7/24/23...

Gainers Pieris Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: PIRS) gained 90% to $0.3560 after the company issued strategic update and announced restructuring. The Singing Machine Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: MICS) shares surged 32% to $2.10 after the company announced it launched a new party accessory product line...

Oppenheimer analyst Owen Lau reiterated an Outperform rating on Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO), with a price target of $362. MCO has been using traditional AI in early default warning alerts, contract pricing, and modeling for years. The analyst thinks there will be a...

Moody's Corp (NYSE: MCO) tapped Microsoft Corp (NASDAQ: MSFT) to deliver next-generation data, analytics, research, collaboration, and risk solutions for financial services and global knowledge workers.  Built on a combination of Moody's data and analytical...

Credit Suisse cut the price target for Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) from $13 to $7. Credit Suisse analyst Karen Short maintained an Underperform rating. Big Lots shares gained 2.9% to $8.15 in pre-market trading. BMO Capital slashed the price target for Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company...

Nobody likes to begin Monday morning hearing bad news, but that’s what happened this week to investors when Wolfe Research analyst Andrew Rosivach downgraded four real estate investment trusts (REITs) to kick off the new market week. Analysts carry a lot of weight, and when one or more...

Morgan Stanley raised the price target for DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) from $23 to $25. Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Grambling maintained an Overweight rating. DraftKings shares fell 0.2% to close at $23.49 on Monday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted the price target for Selective...

KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Todd M. Thomas upgraded LXP Industrial Trust (NYSE: LXP) to Overweight from Sector Weight with a price target of $12. The analyst believes LXP's single-tenant, net lease industrial portfolio is doing well and expects steady future growth,...

Gainers Unique Fabricating, Inc. (NYSE: UFAB) climbed 205% to $0.55 after gaining around 4% on Tuesday. Harbor Custom Development, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCDI) gained 172% to $12.99 after the company announced a buyer waived all contingencies on a $14,250,000 sale of townhomes. CTI BioPharma Corp. (NASDAQ...

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (NYSE: LYG) reported a Q1 2023 net income growth of 15% Y/Y to £4.7 billion on ongoing recovery and increased rates.  EPS of 2.3 pence in Q1 2023 was higher than 1.4 pence a year ago. Pretax profit rose 46% Y/Y to £2.3 billion in Q1,...

Gainers Mangoceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGRX) shares jumped 207% to $2.84. The company announced Thursday, that it's featured on Webull Corporate Communications Service Platform. Asset Entities Inc. (NASDAQ: ASST) gained 60% to $1.65. EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: EYPT) shares climbed...