Consumer Finance

A number of companies reported earnings on Thursday after the closing bell. Here is a look at the biggest movers. Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD) +9.07% to $34.50 Athenahealth (NASDAQ: ATHN) +9.10% to $53.00 Ruby Tuesday (NYSE: RT) -8.60% to $10.10 Acme Packet (NASDAQ: APKT) -8.09% to $55.25 C.R. Bard...

Cash America International, Inc. (NYSE: CSH) shares are falling sharply on back of the earnings reaction to EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ: EZPW). At last check, shares of Cash America were off $1.36 to $58.38‎, a loss of 2.28%‎.

Reuters is reporting that John Paulson told investors in his sprawling hedge fund, Paulson & Co., that his bets were "too aggressive" and that he is trimming back on some of his riskiest positions. In a conference call, he said that he has pared positions in bank stocks that have significant...

JP Morgan reiterated its Overweight rating on First Cash Financial (NASDAQ: FCFS). At the same time, the rating agency raised its price target on the company's stock from $41 to $46. In today's trading, FCFS added 1.2% to its value to trade around $42.16.

Goldman Sachs has issued a report reiterating the Buy Rating on American Express (NYSE: AXP). According to the report, "AXP's earnings exceeded expectations, driven by higher-than-expected revenue growth (12% vs. 8% expected), industry-leading billed business growth, and continued credit...

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods has issued a report regarding the Q2 results from SLM Corp (NYSE: SLM). According to the report, "The difference between reported and operating earnings reflects income from the company's discontinued debt purchasing business, which we have excluded from operating...

Morgan Stanley is out with a research report on American Express (NYSE: AXP) after it reported earnings last night. It is raising its price target to $56 and it has an Overweight rating on shares. In a note to clients, Morgan Stanley writes, "AXP reported 2Q11 operating EPS of $0.96 (ex-V/MA...

Morgan Stanley is out with its report today on American Express (NYSE: AXP), raising its PT to $56. In a note to clients, Morgan Stanley writes, "We are increasing Operating EPS 7c in 2011 and 2012, on slightly better than expected 2Q11 results. We are also taking our PT up $2 to $56 on higher EPS...

JP Morgan has raised the price target on First Cash Financial (NASDAQ: FCFS) from $41 to $46 and maintains its Overweight rating.

Jefferies & Co. is out with a research report on First Cash Financial Svs. (NASDAQ: FCFS) after it reported earnings, and it is significantly raising its price target to $47 from $35, and it has a Hold rating on shares. In a note to clients, Jefferies & Co. writes, "FCFS posted another all...

Morgan Stanley has raised the price target on American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) from $54 to $56 and maintains its Overweight rating.

Jefferies & Company has changed the price target on the following companies: Baltic Trading (NYSE: BALT) Buy, PT from $10.00 to $8.00 Diana Shipping (NYSE: DSX) Buy, PT from $14.00 to $13.00 DryShips Inc. (NASDAQ: DRYS) Hold, PT from $5.00 to $4.00 Excel Maritime Carriers (NYSE: EXM)...

Shares of American Express (NYSE: AXP) are trading higher in the after-hours following the release of the company's Q2 earnings results. Currently, shares are higher by 0.31%, trading at $55.25; they ended the regular session higher by 0.54%, at $52.09. American Express reported Q2 EPS of $1.07 on...

American Express Company (NYSE: AXP) unveils its next round of earnings this Wednesday, July 20, 2011. Get the latest predictions in Benzinga's essential guide to the company's second quarter. Earnings and Revenue: Based on estimates, investors are readying for a positive EPS reading of 99 cents...

US stock futures are higher this morning, after strong earnings from Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL). Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 37 points to 12,544.00 and futures on the S&P 500 stock index rose 5.20 points to 1,326.40. Nasdaq 100 futures gained 19.25 points to 2,408.25. US...