"Flagstar Bancorp (FBC), the Midwest savings bank that we recommended, as our favorite stock for 2011, remains a buy," says Mark Skousen.

The editor of Forecasts & Strategies explains, "The bank missed expected earnings, losing 74 cents per share, compared to an expected loss of 15 cents per share. But looking at the bigger picture, the news is better than those numbers reflect.

"Flagstar Bancorp technically lost $0.74 per share this year, but that's better than last year's loss of $1.53 per share. Moreover, if you look beyond the one-time charge for the sale of a bad loan portfolio, the per-share loss was only $0.06.

Continue reading Insiders and Institutions Bank on Flagstar Bancorp (FBC)

Insiders and Institutions Bank on Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Compelling valuations and improving fundamentals mean that 2011 could be a strong year for shares of the biggest U.S. banks," suggests Elliott Gue.

The editor of Personal Finance explains, "To benefit from this outlook, Bank of America (BAC) is a new addition to the model Growth Portfolio.

"Bank of America suffered mightily during the financial crisis of 2007-09. Not only were the bank's legacy loan portfolios hit hard by delinquencies and charge-offs, but the company also assumed additional liabilities and credit risk when it acquired Countrywide Financial and Merrill Lynch.

Continue reading Bank of America Corp. (BAC): Bank on It

Bank of America Corp. (BAC): Bank on It originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"My latest 'Special Alert' recommendation could be called an 'Are you Crazy?' pick; despite the high risk, I believe National bank of Greece (NBG) could double before the end of 2011," says global stock specialist Nicholas Vardy.

The editor of The Global Bull Market Alert explains, "Ratings agency Fitch just recently cut the long-term ratings of the National Bank of Greece to BB+ from BBB- while it maintained a 'negative outlook' for its prospects.

"Nevertheless, here's why I think Fitch and the other naysayers are wrong... and why National Bank of Greece will be a big winner for patient investors.

Continue reading National Bank of Greece (NBG): A 'Crazy' Speculation

National Bank of Greece (NBG): A 'Crazy' Speculation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"MGIC (MTG) is the leading U.S. private mortgage insurer; in fact, the company claims to have founded the mortgage insurance industry in 1957," notes turnaround specialist George Putnam.

The editor of The Turnaround Letter explains, "After many years of relatively steady earnings, MGIC was forced to sharply increase its reserves beginning in 2007 as more homeowners began defaulting on their mortgages.

"As a result, the company posted large losses in each of the last three years, which reduced its capital to a precarious level. Almost all of the other mortgage insurers suffered similar fates, with several competitors being forced out of business.

Continue reading MGIC (MTG): Mortgage Turnaround?

MGIC (MTG): Mortgage Turnaround? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"KKR Financial Holdings (KFN) is a leading alternative asset manager; led by its founders, Henry Kravis and George Roberts, KKR specializes in large, complex buyouts," notes Mark Skousen.

The editor of The Hedge Fund Trader explains, "The company's edge is industry-leading private equity experience, in-depth industry knowledge, sophisticated processes for growing and improving businesses and an almost unbeatable information network.

"KKR has a history of landmark achievements in private equity, including the first leverage buyout above the $1-billion mark.

Continue reading Insider Shows Confidence in KKR Financial (KFN)

Insider Shows Confidence in KKR Financial (KFN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"After two years of economic declines, even the small uptick in growth we are starting to see should be a tonic for America's battered banks," says Jim Powell.

The editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report explains, "Of the major U.S. banks, I think Citigroup (C) offers investors the most promise; as such, I am selecting the stock as my top pick for 2011.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Citigroup (C)

Top Picks 2011: Citigroup (C) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"VIST Financial Corp. (VIST) -- which operates 24 banking and mortgage centers in Pennsylvania -- is our favorite investment idea for the coming year," says Benj Gallaner and Ben Stadelmann.

The co-editors of Contra the Heard explain, "Last April two institutional investors specializing in banking recently purchased 644,000 shares at $8.00, moving the share count to around 6.5 million.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: VIST Financial (VIST)

Top Picks 2011: VIST Financial (VIST) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"My favorite speculative stock idea for 2011 is Flagstar Bancorp (FBC), the Troy, Michigan-based bank with 165 branches in Michigan, Indiana, and Georgia," says Mark Skousen.

The editor of The Hedge Fund Trader explains, "The stock was trading for over $140 a share before the financial crisis; the stock fell to $5 a share last May, and it is now under $1.50.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Flagstar Bancorp (FBC)

Top Picks 2011: Flagstar Bancorp (FBC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Financials appear to offer among the best opportunities for 2011," says ETF specialist Jim Farrish.

The editor of Sector Exchange explains, "Indeed, my favorite ETF idea for the coming year would be the First Trust Financials AlphaDEX ETF (FXO), a well diversified way to play the sector overall.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: First Trust Financials AlphaDEX (FXO)

Top Picks 2011: First Trust Financials AlphaDEX (FXO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Spun-off from American Express in 2005, Ameriprise Financial (AMP) is in the midst of a transformation from an insurer to a full-blown money management firm," notes long-term value investor John Buckingham.

The editor of The Prudent Speculator explains, "Eyeing an opportunity to gather assets on the cheap, the company spent close to $2 billion during the financial crisis.

"The company purchased Columbia Asset Management, J&W Seligman and H&R Block Financial. In total, it acquired $224 billion in new assets, bringing total assets under management to over $445 billion.

Continue reading Ameriprise (AMP): A 'Prudent' Pick in Financials

Ameriprise (AMP): A 'Prudent' Pick in Financials originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Credit card demand has exploded in recent years. Today, credit cards are responsible for over $2.5 trillion in transactions each year," notes Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "And no company is better positioned to capture the digital transaction market than Visa (V); further, investors have a window of opportunity right now to pick up shares at a great price.

"Different from credit card-issuers, Visa is shielded from the consumer credit troubles (such as delinquencies and defaults) because they don't lend to consumers.

Continue reading Visa (V): A 'Long-Term Winner'

Visa (V): A 'Long-Term Winner' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our latest global play is on the strongest-performing stock market of 2010 among the roaring BRIC economies: India," says Nicholas Vardy.

The editor of Global Bull Market Alert explains, "We recommend the country's leading private bank, ICICI Bank Ltd. (IBN). I think the stock will be a moneymaker for you over the next few weeks.

"First, while the Indian market as a whole has risen sharply during September's bull run, Indian banks are the "secret" behind this roaring bull market.

Continue reading ICICI Bank (IBN): Global Expert Banks on India

ICICI Bank (IBN): Global Expert Banks on India originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"As a result of the Financial Reform Act, certain trust preferreds can offer investment-grade safety, robust yields of around 6-7%, and capital gains potential," suggests Carla Pasternak.

The editor of High Yield Investing explains, "Among our top picks in this group are Bank of America Capital Trust IV, 5 7/8% Capital Securities (BAC-U) and Wells Fargo Capital IX 5.625% Trust Preferred Securities (JWF).

"Traditional preferreds are an equity investment in a company. They are normally perpetual -- that is, they have no maturity date. In contrast, trust preferreds are debt, not equity. As such, they provide greater safety than traditional preferred stock.

Continue reading Bank on Preferreds: Bank America and Wells Fargo

Bank on Preferreds: Bank America and Wells Fargo originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"When it comes to banking, many people never encounter a human teller anymore; instead, banking is often done using ATMs, the internet and via smart phones; with a presence in 90-plus countries, Diebold (DBD) likely plays a role in those financial self-service transactions," observes growth and income specialist Stephen Leeb.

The editor of Leeb's Income Performance Letter explains, "The 151-year old company, a new recommendation in our Growth & Income Portfolio, holds a commanding position in the market for ATMs.

Continue reading Diebold (DBD): Bank on ATM Maker

Diebold (DBD): Bank on ATM Maker originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The U.S. government backstopping the majority of American home mortgages. The government guarantees bankers and investors won't be at risk. It does this by buying mortgages from banks. It's a dumb deal for the government, but a brilliant deal for the banks and investors. And it means we can collect 17% interest, safely.

Continue reading Government Mortgage Guarantees Boost Hatteras Financial (HTS)

Government Mortgage Guarantees Boost Hatteras Financial (HTS) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Global Growth Says HSBC Holding Bank Stock a Good Buy

Global Growth Says HSBC Holding Bank Stock a Good Buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Technical Trader Targets Bank of America (BAC)

Technical Trader Targets Bank of America (BAC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading If You Buy Goldman Sachs, Consider Married Puts

If You Buy Goldman Sachs, Consider Married Puts originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Take a LEAP with Citigroup (C)

Take a LEAP with Citigroup (C) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Annaly Mortgage Management (NLY) is our favorite investment idea for 2010," says Jack Adamo.

In his Insiders Plus newsletter, he explains, "The company buys only Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bonds, all of which now have explicit U.S. government guarantees."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Annaly Mortgage (NLY)

Top Picks for 2010: Annaly Mortgage (NLY) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.