Multi-line Insurance

Not much news on this Good Friday for our Market Update, so in the spirit of the holiday weekend we ask that you, our loyal readers, forgive our abridged version of the market update.  First in the news is the story that’s making everyone smile.  According to the Labor Department, the United States...

I continue to look at my watch lists and scratch my head at this rally... the type of "growthy" stocks I normally stick to are not doing much the past 3-4 weeks [excluding of course the "go to" momentum stocks for institutions like Apple, Priceline, Baidu et al] but the market keeps stair stepping...

Technology and Telecom are helping the recent rally in stocks. We’ve discussed the tech sector at length in the past, but right now few tech stocks have the cache of Apple (AAPL). If the Nasdaq is up, Apple seems to be touching a new 52-week high. To say the ubiquitous maker of iPods and iPhones...

Technology and Telecom are helping the recent rally in stocks. We’ve discussed the tech sector at length in the past, but right now few tech stocks have the cache of Apple (AAPL). If the Nasdaq is up, Apple seems to be touching a new 52-week high. To say the ubiquitous maker of iPods and iPhones...

Today starts with some poor economic indicators, as construction spending is down for the month of March 0.3% more than the anticipated 1.0% decline.  February construction spending has also been adjusted, and it’s estimated spending declined 1.4%, which is 0.8% more than initially reported last...

Today starts with some poor economic indicators, as construction spending is down for the month of March 0.3% more than the anticipated 1.0% decline.  February construction spending has also been adjusted, and it’s estimated spending declined 1.4%, which is 0.8% more than initially reported last...

Bloomberg reports that the first quarter has seen a rise in mergers and acquisitions with 10 hostile takeovers and more than 2,034 cross-border transactions taking place. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, compared to last year global takeovers rose 5% to $498.24 billion. Cross-Border...

RBC Capital upgraded its rating on for-profit education company Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL) to “sector performer” (hold) from “underperformer” (sell) Tuesday morning. RBC also lifted its 12-month price target to $75 from $66. The investment bank cited the fact that APOL has new initiatives in...

Bloomberg reports that after months of litigation, the Federal Reserve, on Wednesday, put an end to its policy of secrecy over the details of its bailout of Bear Stearns Co. It released details of securities bought to aid Bear Stearns’s takeover by JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM). Maiden Lane...

Blockbuster Inc (NYSE: BBI) shares dipped 11% yesterday after the company disclosed that it was not in compliance with NYSE’s requirements for minimum market value. Following this announcement, BBI’s biggest shareholder, Carl Icahn, sold off 13 million BBI shares to reduce his stake in the company...

G10 Advancers and Decliners vs USD CHF 1.27 EUR 0.71 GBP 0.66 JPY -0.71 EURUSD has powered relentlessly higher throughout the day as a combination of strong European inflation data, disappointing US labour figures and quarter-end rebalancing flows have all conspired to push...

G10 Advancers and Decliners vs USD CHF 1.27 EUR 0.71 GBP 0.66 JPY -0.71 EURUSD has powered relentlessly higher throughout the day as a combination of strong European inflation data, disappointing US labour figures and quarter-end rebalancing flows have all conspired to push...

Jim Cramer took a bearish stance in American International Group (NYSE: AIG), last Thursday on CNBC’s Mad Money, calling the stock a “sell – sell –sell!” Cramer said he thinks the company owes too much money to the government and should have never enacted a reverse split. Over the weekend, however...

US stock futures fell broadly today, indicating a quiet end to a strong first quarter. While futures on Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 10 points to 10844, those on the S&P 500 fell 1.1 to 1168.3. Meanwhile, Nasdaq 100 futures lost 2 points to trade at 1963.5. Investors are awaiting the...

Stocks move higher on upbeat economic data Growing optimism that consumers are regaining confidence sent stocks higher again on Tuesday. A new report showed consumer confidence grew more than expected in March, though it’s still well below historical levels that indicate a strong economy. A...