Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

Analysts at Janney Montgomery downgrade Provident Financial (NYSE: PFS) from “buy” to “neutral.” The price target for has been raised from $12 to $13. Shares of PFS declined 0.70% to $12.83 in pre-market trading. More Analyst Ratings here.

People’s United Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ: PBCT) has reported its first-quarter results. The company reported a 44% decline in first-quarter profit. People’s United reported a profit of $13.6 million, or $0.04 per share in its first-quarter, down from a profit of $24.2 million, or $0.07 per share it...

Below are the top 5 small-cap stocks in the NYSE in terms of revenue estimates. Rite Aid Corp (NYSE: RAD) is expected to generate $25.47 billion in revenues this year. RAD had total cash of $103.59 million in the latest quarter. Federal National Mortgage Association (NYSE: FNM) is expected to...

The KBW Bank Index said it will adjust to reflect the number of shares in the index representing First Niagra Financial (Nasdaq: FNFG) to reflect an all-stock acquisition that company is making. The ETF that tracks the index is the SPDR KBW Bank ETF (NYSE: KBE). First Niagra is not among that ETF's...

CSX (NYSE: CSX) chief Michael Ward said that the purchase of Burlington Northern (NYSE: BNI) by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) was a "brilliant" acquisition" move, as the rail industry is rebounding. Shipments have risen after declining for a couple of years and CSX, the third-...

Many tech stocks have doubled or tripled from the March market lows. Short sellers are in many cases willing to bet that ride is not over. The short interest in Micron (NYSE: MU) rose 75 million shares to 63.3 million. Shares short in Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) were up 3.1 million to 53.4 million. The...

Below are the top 5 surety & title insurance stocks in terms of revenue estimates. First American Corp (NYSE: FAF) is expected to generate $5.73 billion in revenues this year. Keefe Bruyette upgraded FAF from “market perform” to “outperform.” Fidelity National Financial, Inc (NYSE: FNF) is...

The Wall Street Journal reports that the bailout of shaky banks and financial markets by the U.S. government has turned out to be less expensive than it was feared. The projected cost of bailouts now looks to be a fraction of what was thought originally. The U.S. Treasury Department says that tab...

First Financial Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: FFCH) was downgraded by BB&T Capital Markets from “buy” to “hold.” FFCH’s shares have lost 1.60% to $14.13 by 10:00 am. FFCH has a 52-week trading range of $7.97-$18.49. Hilliard Lyons downgraded Glimcher Realty Trust (NYSE: GRT) from “buy” to “neutral.”...

Former Chief Executive Officer of Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM), Daniel Mudd, accepted responsibility for the firm’s failings. At a hearing before The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, he said, “I was the CEO of the company and I accept responsibility for everything that happened on my watch.” The...

Ambac Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: ABK) has surged 76% to $1.13 after reporting a fourth-quarter net income of $558.1 million. The company had recorded a tax benefit and unrealized gains on derivatives during the quarter. ABK, which admitted having “insufficient capital” to finance itself after the...

Daniel Mudd, former CEO of Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM), who was ousted by the U.S. government, has blamed the company’s unsustainable business model for its failure during the financial crisis. In a testimony to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission, Mudd defended the company saying, “There have been...

Golfsmith International Holdings, Inc (NASDAQ: GOLF) crossed its earlier 52-week high of $4.25 and created a new 52-week high of $4.38. GOLF has reopened an interactive playground for Chicagoland golfers. Healthcare Services Group, Inc (NASDAQ: HCSG) moved to $23.17 on a total volume of 66,000...

First Franklin Corporation (NASDAQ: FFHS) crossed its earlier 52-week high of $9.47 and created a new 52-week high of $9.50, up 1.77%. FFHS has been threatened by Lenox Wealth Management Inc of legal action, if it refuses to cooperate with requests for company records. First Keystone Financial (...

A group of current and former Citigroup (NYSE: CITI) employees are likely to face a tough grilling from a panel probing the financial crisis. The panel is looking into the bank’s role in proliferating risky mortgage debt through the banking system. The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission will...