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Top 10 Ideas for the Week of September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:13am | 1614After looking at over 500 charts and posting my thoughts on many of them, I have found some good setups for the week. This week's mix contains 5 long ideas with 5 short setups, and one breakout. These were selected in and should be viewed in the context of the broad market trend, reviewed Friday,...
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Progressive Beats in August - Analyst Blog
Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 11:06am | 545Progressive Corp.'s (PGR) earnings per share for August 2010 were 10 cents, up 25% from 8 cents reported in August 2009. However, the results of the reported month lagged 17 cents per share reported in July 2010. Net income for the month improved 21% to $66.5 million from $55.0 million in the year-...
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Tower Group Issues Notes - Analyst Blog
Friday, September 17, 2010 - 7:03pm | 461Property and casualty insurer Tower Group Inc. (TWGP) has sold $135 million of senior notes due 2014. The notes carry a coupon interest of 5%, which will be paid at half yearly intervals to investors on March 15 and September 15, every year with the first payment commencing in the year 2011. The...
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EMPLOYERS® Promotes David Morton to Vice President
Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 1:31pm | 83EMPLOYERS® (NYSE: EIG), America's small business insurance specialist®, announced that David Morton has been promoted to vice president of sales, strategic partnerships and alliances. In his new role, Morton will focus on driving and measuring partner performance, ensuring strong communication and...
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Stock Market News for September 16, 2010 - Market News
Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 10:15am | 1066A rally in the last half hour of trading sent U.S. stocks higher on Wednesday, as Japan's move to rein in the yen helped the U.S. dollar regain some strength. The Japanese currency had risen to a new 15-year high against the greenback on Tuesday, prompting the Japanese prime minister to announce...
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Progressive Reports Improved August Results
Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 8:42am | 32The Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR) today reported the following results for August 2010: Net premiums written $ 1,146.5 Net premiums earned $ 1,110.1 Net income $ 66.5 $ (up 21%) Per share $ .10 (up 23%)
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Tower Group, Inc. Announces Pricing of $135 Million Private Offering
Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 8:46am | 144Tower Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWGP) today announced the pricing of $135 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 through a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The notes will bear...
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ACE Group to Buy Jerneh Insurance - Analyst Blog
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 12:39pm | 389Property and casualty insurer ACE Limited (ACE) agreed to acquire Jerneh Insurance Berhad in Malaysia, for a purchase consideration of $200 million, thereby expanding its footprint in Asia . The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010, subject to approval at...
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Buying (and more buying) in Chubb (NYSE:CB) options
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 9:11am | 1609Chubb (NYSE: CB) is a U.S.-based insurance company offering both commercial and personal services. News has been sparse on the firm since its July 22 positive earnings surprise. The stock itself, however, has been quietly strolling higher, up more than 16% since early July to hit a new 52-week...
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Tower Group, Inc. Announces Proposed $135 Million Private Offering; Plans a Share Buyback
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 8:50am | 246Tower Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWGP) today announced that it intends to offer $135 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2014 through a private offering to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, subject to market...
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ACE to Acquire Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Inc. for $1.1 Billion
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 8:34am | 122ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE) announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Inc. not currently owned by ACE for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. A pioneer in crop insurance that has served America's farmers...
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Allstate Options Active Today (ALL)
Monday, September 13, 2010 - 11:40am | 66There is strong activity in the options market on The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) this morning. In a tweet from the CBOE, there is strong activity in the Allstate January 33–36 call spread, as 76,000 contracts have been traded. Shares of Allstate are higher on the day, gaining 22 cents to...
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Citigroup Lowers PT for ALL, Downgrades TRV To Hold
Friday, September 10, 2010 - 9:54am | 159The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is having its price target raised by Citigroup to $35, and is expected to see solid Auto trends coupled with repricing/rundown of the Homeowners and Life book to drive up cash flows and a return to buybacks, Citigroup reports. The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE...
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Benzinga's Top Upgrades (NOK, RBS, ALL, MCO)
Friday, September 10, 2010 - 8:07am | 148Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK) was upgraded by RBC Capital from “sector perform” to "outperform." NOK’s’ shares closed at $9.76 yesterday. Nokia’s 52-week trading range is $8.00-$15.20. Citigroup upgraded Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc (NYSE: RBS) from "hold" to "buy.” RBS’ shares closed at $14.82...
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10 Stocks With Fastest Dividend Growth
Friday, September 10, 2010 - 7:51am | 348BOSTON (TheStreet) -- Investing in dividend stocks requires more than the ability to spot high yields. Dividend growth is the surest way to outperform other income investments. The following 10 stocks offer attractive payouts, but more importantly, they sport some of the fastest dividend-growth...