Multi-line Insurance

The black cloud hanging over the financial services sector for much of the past two years is beginning to evaporate. Financial stocks rallied recently, and wise investors are giving the sector a fresh look. We’ve discussed the financial sector at length, noting that successful stock-picking...

The Labor Department announced that consumer prices have remained unchanged through February, indicating that consumers aren’t anticipating inflation despite the zero interest rate that has been set by the Fed and the expanding economy. With the Fed’s most recent announcement that interest rates...

The Labor Department announced that consumer prices have remained unchanged through February, indicating that consumers aren’t anticipating inflation despite the zero interest rate that has been set by the Fed and the expanding economy. With the Fed’s most recent announcement that interest rates...

After shooting higher over the past three days, Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG) is taking a breather today, currently down less than 1.0% to $28.30. The company recently announced that the company may raise as much as $2.25 billion by selling a mix of common and preferred shares to...

The rally in the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) on Wednesday means the exchange-traded fund has more than doubled in value from a year ago. The ETF set a new 52-week high of $15.97 a share on Wednesday. One year ago on March 17, 2009, the fund touched a session low of $7.87, according to...

Bloomberg reports that the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to its highest level since October 2008 on Wednesday. The Index gained, led by Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA), which closed 4.78% higher at $14.46, with concerns that an economic recovery would stoke inflation eased. The Dow was up for the...

Analysts Michael Paisan and Mariza Costa at Stifel Nicolaus have released an update on Hartford Financial Services (NYSE: HIG). The company announced on Tuesday that it will raise funds through equity, debt and convertible stock offering. The company is planning to use the proceeds from the...

The financial sector stood out in the Standard & Poor's 500 as it led the gains today. The sector was propelled by upgrades in rating for some insurers and the repayment of government bailouts. Some of the financial stocks that outshone today are: Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG)...

According to Bloomberg, American International Group (NYSE: AIG), the rescued insurer, drew $2.2 billion more from U.S. Treasury to strengthen its property-casualty unit. The company owes $182.3 billion to the U.S. government and its CEO, Robert Benmosche, has said that the company would divest...

Shares of the following companies may see some unusual movements in trading on Wednesday, according to Bloomberg. Blockbuster, Inc. (NYSE: BBI), a loss making video-rental chain, said that it may file for bankruptcy. The video-rental chain has $855.9 million in debt on its balance sheet....

“Although the future of reform legislation remains unclear, a recent bill proposed by Senator Christopher Dodd (D., Conn.) could potentially hinder the financial sector and its exchange traded funds,” Kevin Grewal Reports From The Street. Grewal goes on to say, “This new proposed reform, which is...

American International Group (NYSE: AIG) is expected to pay $46 million in retention bonuses. The figure is 30% lower than previously announced. AIG (AIG) has slashed its bonuses by $21 million in an attempt to quell the public outrage against the payments. The controversial bonuses were granted a...

According to an article on Barron’s by Michael Santoli, the US stock market is in a rare mode of being tired and excited simultaneously. The Standard & Poor's 500 index, which has gained roughly 5% in just over five weeks and has attained its January highs, seems to be losing its buying power....

U.S. stocks ended mixed Friday but closed higher for the second consecutive week as a better-than-expected retail sales report raised hopes for a broader economic recovery.  The Dow Jones industrial average managed to stay at an 18-month high while the broader S&P 500 index and the tech-heavy...