Property & Casualty Insurance

Cusick's Corner Overall the data and news were not so great today but corporate headlines supported this market. To keep track of this earnings cycle, go to the optionsXpress Research tab and click on the Earnings Calendar to get the listings of stocks coming out with earnings each day next week...

Cusick's Corner Stocks opened higher on positive corporate news while the Consumer Price Index [CPI] for June fell .2 percent which is twice as much as expected. The market averages are pretty flat right now as we wind down to the final hours on Expiration Friday. Google (GOOG) and Mattel (MAT)...

Wunderlich Securities is lowering its estimates on Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE: AXS) following earnings. It has a Buy rating and a $45 price target on shares. In a note to clients, Wunderlich Securities writes, "AXIS Capital Holdings (AXS) joins a long list of companies reporting unusual...

Wunderlich Securities provided color on Axis Capital Holdings (NYSE: AXS). In a research report published today, Wunderlich reported on the company's losses due to natural disasters in the U.S. and New Zealand. In the report, Wunderlich states, “AXIS Capital Holdings (AXS) joins a long list of...

Shares of ACE (NYSE: ACE) are lower on the session by 0.26%, trading at $64.85. Overall put volume is now running at 9.80x the daily average, with 68% of all puts traded being purchases on the offer. 2,204 contracts have traded on the session so far. ACE Limited is a holding company of the ACE...

Piper Jaffray lowered its Progressive (NYSE: PGR) price target from $22 to $20 and maintained its Progressive Neutral rating in a research report published today. In the report, Piper Jaffray states, "Progressive reported operating EPS of $0.08 for the month of June 2011, $0.35 for the 2Q11 period...

Sterne Agee is out with its report today on Allied World Assurance Co. Hldgs. (NYSE: AWH), maintaining Buy. In a note to clients, Sterne Agee writes, "We believe the AWH/TRH merger provides nearterm financial positives and longer-term strategic benefits that will drive shareholder value over time...

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE: AXS) today estimated that the total net financial impact of the June 2011 aftershock in New Zealand and the series of severe weather events that occurred in the U.S. in April and May 2011 is expected to be $90-$105 million. These amounts are net of reinsurance...

BGB is out with its report today on Meadowbrook Insurance Group (NYSE: MIG), maintaining Buy. In a note to clients, BGB writes, "MIG typically anticipates some CAT activity due to the nature of the business the company writes. However, the frequency of storms in 2Q11 puts most of the loss burden...

KBW has an Oupterform rating and a $12 price target on shares of Meadowbrook Insurance Group (NYSE: MIG). In a note to clients, KBW writes, "Meadowbrook announced $12.5 million of 2Q11 catastrophe losses, approximately $0.08/share higher than normal. We are lowering our 2Q11 and FY11 estimates to...

KBW has an Outperform rating on shares of American Safety Insurance Holdings, Ltd. (NYSE: ASI) and a $25 price target on shares. In a note to clients, KBW writes, "ASI announced 2Q11 storm losses of $3-$4 million ($0.25-$0.33 per share or 5.2-6.9 points). The mid-point of the announced range is...

Wunderlich Securities reiterated its Buy rating on Meadowbrook Insurance Group (NYSE: MIG). At the same time, Wunderlich left its price target on the company's stock unchanged t $12. On Wednesday, MIG added 0.5% to its value to finish the day at $10.03.

Piper Jaffray reiterated its Overweight rating on MGIC Investment (NYSE: MTG), Radian (NYSE: RDN) and Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO). On Wednesday, MTG added 1.6% to its value to end the day at $6.36, while RDN rose 3.54% to finish the day at $4.39. At the same time, AGO lost 0.3% of its value on...

Stocks trading at or near 52-week highs and lows provide excellent trading opportunities, as volatility tends to increase at such levels. The following stocks hit new 52-week highs in Wednesday's trading session (listed from highest total volume to lowest): 1) SPDR Gold Shares (NYSE: GLD):...

Markel (NYSE: MKL) announced today that PartnerMD has become a subsidiary of Markel Ventures.