Property & Casualty Insurance

Markets on Tuesday climbed modestly higher as the euro-zone debt crisis eased to lessen investors' nervousness. Reports of a New York appeals court ruling in favor of MBIA Inc. and upbeat earnings results also helped indices break out of the red zone.   Indices gained modestly as bond insurer...

Piper Jaffray has an Overweight rating and a $35 price target on shares of Assured Guaranty (NYSE: AGO). In a note sent to clients, Piper Jaffray writes, "As we look back on 2010 Muni issuance, we believe it noteworthy to recognize two points regarding Assured Guaranty. First, fourth quarter...

Today, CNA Financial Corporation (NYSE: CNA) announced the appointment of Mark Verheyen to senior vice president and chief risk officer.

It is no secret that many of the State and Local governments are in severe fiscal trouble. In addition to the current difficulties, many are worried about the long-term implications of severely underfunded pension liabilities. This has led many to place the blame for the states' fiscal position...

It is no secret that many of the State and Local governments are in severe fiscal trouble. In addition to the current difficulties, many are worried about the long-term implications of severely underfunded pension liabilities. This has led many to place the blame for the states' fiscal position...

Shares of bond insurer MBIA Inc. (NYSE: MBI) are currently up 13.8% at $13.97 per share during Tuesday afternoon trading. MBIA Inc's stock price rose after a New York appeals court threw out a lawsuit filed by a group of banks against the company that were challenging the company's restructuring...

Shares of MBIA Inc. (NYSE: MBI) are skyrocketing this morning, up more than 7% on heavy average daily volume. At last check, shares of MBI were up 86 cents to 13.14. MBIA Inc. provides financial guarantee insurance and related reinsurance, advisory, and portfolio services, as well as investment...

Here are 5 stocks added to the Zacks #5 Rank ("strong sell") List today: Alliance Holdings (AHGP) Amer Oriental Bioengineering (AOB) Amer Woodmark Corp (AMWD) Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc (AHT) Assured Guaranty Ltd (AGO) View the entire Zacks #5 Rank List. ASSURED GUARNTY (AGO): Free Stock...

Citi feels Allstate (NYSE: ALL) should encounter short-term pressure as Street EPS estimates need to come down for 4Q10 as well as 2011 & 2012. There is no change to $37 PT and Buy rating. Cutting $0.13 from 4Q10, $0.10 off 2011 and $0.20 off 2012. It is initiating 2013E of $4.10. There is...

Here are 5 stocks added to the Zacks #5 Rank ("strong sell") List today: Alliance Holdings (AHGP) Amer Oriental Bioengineering (AOB) Amer Woodmark Corp (AMWD) Ashford Hospitality Trust Inc (AHT) Assured Guaranty Ltd (AGO) View the entire Zacks #5 Rank List. ASSURED GUARNTY (AGO): Free Stock...

Shares of First American Financial (NYSE: FAF) are higher on the session by 0.48%, currently trading at $14.80. The stock has been moving largely sideways over the past six months and is currently trading above the 50-day moving average. Options traders are buying puts on the name today. A short...

Strayer Education Inc (NASDAQ: STRA) fell 23.64% to $117.01 at 10:20 am. STRA reported that new student enrollments have dropped 20% so far this school year. Gainsco Inc (AMEX: GAN) shares dropped 19.80% to $7.05. The Board of Directors of GAN approved the voluntary deregistration of its common...

Below are the top mid-cap property & casualty insurance stocks on the NYSE and the NASDAQ in terms of PEG ratio. Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd (NYSE: ENH) has a PEG ratio of 0.37. ENH's trailing-twelve-month operating margin is 22.67%. Validus Holdings Ltd (NYSE: VR) has a PEG ratio of 0.54...

On CNBC's Mad Money Lightning Round OT, Jim Cramer said that he doesn't like the Chinese market, because it has burned him so many times. He thinks that China MediaExpress Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: CCME) should not be bought. China MediaExpress Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: CCME) spiked 7.04% today, and closed...

After enduring stress with respect to pricing pressure and reduced insured exposure through mid-2009, the overall health of the U.S. insurance industry has started improving. Though the market turmoil forced many companies to take immense write-downs, the worst of the crisis appears to be now...