BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: ADM, BBY, ETN, FDO, HNZ, GPS, MAR, NCR, RIMM, VLO ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Research In Motion (RIMM) to buy from sell and Gap (GPS) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
  • Archer Daniels (ADM) and Airgas (ARG) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
  • NCR Corp. (NCR) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
  • Valero Energy (VLO) to top pick from sector perform and Western Refining (WNR) to outperform from underperform at RBC Capital.
  • Fred's (FRED) to overweight from neutral at JP Morgan.
  • Marsh & McLennan (MMC), Willis Group (WSH) and Brown & Brown (BRO) to equal weight from underweight at Barclays.
  • Host Hotels (HST) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
  • La-Z-Boy (LZB) to strong buy from market perform at Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADM, BBY, ETN, FDO, HNZ, GPS, MAR, NCR, RIMM, VLO ...

Analyst Calls: ADM, BBY, ETN, FDO, HNZ, GPS, MAR, NCR, RIMM, VLO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADMAirgasAllscriptsanalyst upgradesARGBBYBest BuyBROCapellaCCMPCPLAdowngradesEatonETNFamily DollarFDOFREDFXCMGapGPSHeinzHNZHOCHost HotelsHSTinitiationsInsuletinthenewsLa-Z-BoyLOPELZBMARMarriottMarsh and McLennanMDRXMMCNCRPODDPXDRenaissanceReResearch in MotionRIMRIMMRNRValeroVLOWillis GroupWNRWSHWed, 16 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aon Reports Flat Reinsurance Pricing, No Surprises]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/02/aon-reports-flat-reinsurance-pricing-no-surprises/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/02/aon-reports-flat-reinsurance-pricing-no-surprises/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/02/aon-reports-flat-reinsurance-pricing-no-surprises/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Like Willis Re (WSH) and Marsh & McLennan's (MMC) Guy Carpenter, reinsurance broker Aon Benfield (AOC) found risk-transfer pricing to have softened at the April 1, 2010 reinsurance renewal. It was the same story around the world: the Q1 catastrophes may do some damage to earnings, but the sector was sufficiently capitalized to absorb the shocks. In fact, Aon Benfield reported that the reinsurance industry had nearly returned to record capital levels. At the beginning 2008, the sector was in the same situation before the financial crisis and Hurricane Gustav and Ike depleted balance sheets on the same weekend in September.

Continue reading Aon Reports Flat Reinsurance Pricing, No Surprises

Aon Reports Flat Reinsurance Pricing, No Surprises originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorporationcatastrophecatastrophe insurancecatastrophescatastrophic insuranceinthenewsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsurancereinsurance industryWilliswshFri, 02 Apr 2010 09:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Q1 Catastrophes May Hit Earnings, Won't Change Market]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/01/q1-catastrophes-may-hit-earnings-won-t-change-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/01/q1-catastrophes-may-hit-earnings-won-t-change-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/01/q1-catastrophes-may-hit-earnings-won-t-change-market/#commentsFiled under:

The first quarter of 2010 will probably go down in history as the worst ever for catastrophe losses.

According to global reinsurance broker Willis Re (WSH), the insurance industry recorded $16 billion in insured losses, from the Chile earthquake and Windstorm Xynthia in Europe, but the largest losses occurred in smaller markets, where it premium volumes aren't as large. Since the third and fourth quarters tend to be the most loss-prone of the year, a quarter that is normally quiet could set the stage for outsized losses.

Continue reading Q1 Catastrophes May Hit Earnings, Won't Change Market

Q1 Catastrophes May Hit Earnings, Won't Change Market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chile earthquakeearthquakeearthquake insuranceearthquakesinsuranceinsurance companiesinsurance industryinthenewsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsurancereinsurance industryWillisThu, 01 Apr 2010 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Reinsurance Rates Fall Around the World]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/01/reinsurance-rates-fall-around-the-world/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/01/reinsurance-rates-fall-around-the-world/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/01/reinsurance-rates-fall-around-the-world/#commentsFiled under:

The first quarter catastrophes weren't enough to push property-catastrophe reinsurance rates lower. Even though the first quarter was a busy one for catastrophe losses, particularly for global reinsurers, they weren't sufficient to change the market. As a result, the four regions renewing at April 1, 2010 -- the United States, Japan, Latin America and South Korea -- ranged from soft to controlled, according to the latest from Guy Carpenter, the reinsurance arm of Marsh & McLennan (MMC). This comes as no surprise, as indications throughout the run-up to the renewal pointed to an orderly process in which there would be enough capital to support the market's needs.

Continue reading Reinsurance Rates Fall Around the World

Reinsurance Rates Fall Around the World originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>catastrophecatastrophe insurancecatastropheschile earthquakeearthquakeearthquake insuranceearthquakesinsuranceinsurance industryinthenewsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsurancereinsurance industryThu, 01 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. Insurers Addicted to Corporate Bonds]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/23/u-s-insurers-addicted-to-corporate-bonds/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/23/u-s-insurers-addicted-to-corporate-bonds/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/23/u-s-insurers-addicted-to-corporate-bonds/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the U.S. alone, insurance companies hold more than $2.2 trillion in corporate debt, having spent 2009 buying bonds at a faster rate than it had in the past five years. As Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) put it, the market was "raining gold." Net purchases of corporate bonds by the U.S. insurance industry jumped to $153 billion last year, most of it in the first quarter, when yields were highest. In 2008, outflows reached $59 billion. In 2004, inflows hit $172 billion.

According to Judy Greffin, Allstate's (ALL) chief investment officer, tells Bloomberg News, "It has paid off very nicely," as evidenced by the 20% growth in Allstate's corporate debt holdings last year, which reached $33.1 billion. She continues, "With the benefit of hindsight, I would have loved to have bought more." Likewise, Buffett indicated that he should have invested more. MetLife (MET) and Prudential Financial (PRU) also benefited from the corporate debt rally, which has helped them recover much of the capital lost from the financial crisis of September 2008.

Continue reading U.S. Insurers Addicted to Corporate Bonds

U.S. Insurers Addicted to Corporate Bonds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AllstateBerkshireHathawaybrk.aBRKAchile earthquakefeaturedinsuranceinsurance industryinthenewsmarsh and mclennanmetlifeMMCPrudentialReinsurancewarren buffettTue, 23 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/16/from-bermuda-insurers-need-to-ink-mergers-with-caution/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/16/from-bermuda-insurers-need-to-ink-mergers-with-caution/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/16/from-bermuda-insurers-need-to-ink-mergers-with-caution/#commentsFiled under:

Mergers are always a tricky business, and for an insurance industry with excess capital available, they're likely on the agenda for the coming year. Before giving in to the urge to merge, several major industry executives cautioned at the World Insurance Forum, it's crucial to make sure that the interests of both merging companies are aligned.

According to Brian Duperreault, president and CEO at Marsh & McLennan (MMC), "You are always going to run into problems during a merger so you need to make sure your interests are aligned. If you are divided when you start you will be still be divided at the end. Aligned management interest is what makes for a successful acquisition."

Continue reading From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution

From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>insuranceinsurance industryliberty mutualLloydLloydsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsuranceTue, 16 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Catastrophe Losses Already Half Last Year's Total]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/08/2010-catastrophe-losses-already-half-last-years-total/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/08/2010-catastrophe-losses-already-half-last-years-total/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/08/2010-catastrophe-losses-already-half-last-years-total/#commentsFiled under: ,

February was an expensive month for the insurance industry, with a multibillion dollar price tag. It's easy to focus on the magnitude 8.8 earthquake in Chile, but there were other disasters, too. The Haiti earthquake added to the economic and insured losses and others that may not have claimed many headlines but did tick the cost to insurers and reinsurers higher. A new report by Aon Benfield (AON) runs through the damage caused in February, showing that the shortest month still found a way to be expensive.

The quake in Chile is estimated to have caused $2 billion to $8 billion in insured losses, to which you need to add $2.1 billion for Windstorm Xynthia, not to mention many eight-figure insured losses that will chip away at the industry's coffers. Haiti wasn't all that pricey, Aon says, because "insurance penetration is far greater than in Haiti."

Continue reading 2010 Catastrophe Losses Already Half Last Year's Total

2010 Catastrophe Losses Already Half Last Year's Total originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpcatastrophecatastrophe insuranceChilechile earthquakeearthquake insurancehaitiinsuranceinsurance companiesinthenewsmarsh and mclennanMMCReinsurancereinsurance industrywindstormwindstorm coverageMon, 08 Mar 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Catastrophe Bond Market Hits Target, Records Possible in 2010]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/catastrophe-bond-market-hits-target-records-possible-in-2010/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/catastrophe-bond-market-hits-target-records-possible-in-2010/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/catastrophe-bond-market-hits-target-records-possible-in-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The end of a year means a rush of data from the insurance and reinsurance industries, as treaties are renewed for the coming year. Catastrophe bonds are a part of this annual orgy of data production, as a flurry of activity occurs in December, with the industry's commitment to this form of alternative property-catastrophe risk-transfer setting the tone for the year to come. The cat bond market isn't big enough to push reinsurance rates, but you can generally get a sense of what the coming year will look like for cat bonds based on pricing for traditional reinsurance.

Continue reading Catastrophe Bond Market Hits Target, Records Possible in 2010

Catastrophe Bond Market Hits Target, Records Possible in 2010 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AonAonCorpAonCorporationcatastrophecatastrophesdbDeutsche BankGoldman Sachs GroupGSinsurance companiesinsurance industrymarsh and mclennanMMCreinsurance industryrisk managementRisk Management SolutionsRMSSWCEYswiss reSwiss ReinsuranceWillisWillisGroupwshMon, 04 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Lloyd's Amps Up Insurance and Reinsurance Capacity This Year]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/lloyds-amps-up-insurance-and-reinsurance-capacity-this-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/lloyds-amps-up-insurance-and-reinsurance-capacity-this-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/04/lloyds-amps-up-insurance-and-reinsurance-capacity-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lloyd's of London is poised to take some risks in 2010. In fact, it's ready to put more than $36 billion into the insurance and reinsurance world, according to analysts at reinsurance intermediary Guy Carpenter, a division of Marsh & McLennan (MMC).

The year-over-year increase could be as high as 27% compared to 2009, with the additional capacity coming from lower risk-transfer rates for some lines of business, though much of it is being offered to compensate for the weakness of the British pound relative to stronger currencies, such as the U.S. dollar.

Continue reading Lloyd's Amps Up Insurance and Reinsurance Capacity This Year

Lloyd's Amps Up Insurance and Reinsurance Capacity This Year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aonbritish poundinsurance companiesinsurance industryinthenewsLloyds of Londonmarsh and mclennanmcoMMCMoodysreinsurance industryus dollarWillisWillisGroupwshMon, 04 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Study: Employers would cut health benefits to avoid excise tax ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/06/study-employers-would-cut-health-benefits-to-avoid-excise-tax/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/06/study-employers-would-cut-health-benefits-to-avoid-excise-tax/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/06/study-employers-would-cut-health-benefits-to-avoid-excise-tax/#commentsFiled under: ,

If the Senate's proposed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passes the Senate, the working stiff will probably be affected. A study by Mercer finds that 63% of employers would cut the health benefits they offer in order to avoid an excise tax included in the bill.

Mercer, a division of Marsh & McLennan Companies (MMC), reveals that 25% of employers offer health insurance programs that would be "too generous" under the act, making them subject to a 40% nondeductible tax on the excess value.

Continue reading Study: Employers would cut health benefits to avoid excise tax

Study: Employers would cut health benefits to avoid excise tax originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>health carehealth insuranceinsurance industryinthenewsmarsh and mclennanmercerMMCSenateSun, 06 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Coca-Cola, Deere, Abercrombie, Baidu, Playboy, Taser and others]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/16/earnings-highlights-coca-cola-deere-abercrombie-baidu-playb/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/16/earnings-highlights-coca-cola-deere-abercrombie-baidu-playb/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/16/earnings-highlights-coca-cola-deere-abercrombie-baidu-playb/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Here are a few highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Upcoming results to watch for include Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), JCPenney (NYSE: JCP), and Safeway (NYSE: SWY).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Coca-Cola, Deere, Abercrombie, Baidu, Playboy, Taser and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AbercrombieANFBaidu.comBIDUCNACoca-ColaDEDean FoodsDeereDFearningsearnings reportsGoodyeargrain pricesGTHPHPQInsightJCPJCPenneyKOLECG: XPRTLowesLTRMarsh and McLennanMGMMMCOfficeMaxOMXPLAPlayboyQwestSafewaySierra WirelessSWYTaserTASRVCVisteonWal-MartWaste ManagementWFMIWhole FoodsWMIWYNWyndhamZOLTZoltekSat, 16 Feb 2008 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Marsh & McLennan (MMC) moves higher despite a 62% profit drop]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/12/marsh-and-mclennan-mmc-moves-higher-despite-a-62-profit-drop/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/12/marsh-and-mclennan-mmc-moves-higher-despite-a-62-profit-drop/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/12/marsh-and-mclennan-mmc-moves-higher-despite-a-62-profit-drop/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shares of insurance broker Marsh & McLennan Inc. (NYSE: MMC) are trading slightly higher this morning, despite missing earnings estimates and posting a 62% decline in its fourth-quarter profit.

The company said its profit dropped to $85 million, or 16 cents per share during the fourth quarter, hurt by weak earnings results from its risk and insurance services business. These numbers are down from $226 million, or 40 cents per share, in the same period a year ago.

Included in the company's earnings numbers were discontinued operations and one-time costs. Excluding that, Marsh & McLennan posted earnings of 26 cents a share. Analysts, on average, expected the company to show earnings of 31 cents per share, according to Thomson Financial.

Continue reading Marsh & McLennan (MMC) moves higher despite a 62% profit drop

Marsh & McLennan (MMC) moves higher despite a 62% profit drop originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Brian DuperreaultBrianDuperreaultinthenewsMarsh and McLennanMarshAndMclennanMichael CherkaskyMichaelCherkaskymmcTue, 12 Feb 2008 10:23:00 EST<![CDATA[This week's rumor round-up: CV Therapeutics for sale?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/06/22/this-weeks-rumor-round-up-cv-therapeutics-for-sale/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/06/22/this-weeks-rumor-round-up-cv-therapeutics-for-sale/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/06/22/this-weeks-rumor-round-up-cv-therapeutics-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

CV THERAPEUTICS INC (NASDAQ: CVTX)

For sale? Seems so. The bio-pharmaceutical company hired investment bankers to check it out and just like that, the stock jumped 6%. But sell to who? Some say a bigger competitor. At what price? $18 a share is about right. One report says that the CEO would absolutely jump at $20 a share. Added pressure to make a move has come from Third Point, who made their point to do something as they acquired a 10% stake in May.


MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES INC (NYSE: MMC)

Since January there has been interest in buying this worldwide professional services company. Management is taking the tact of listening to some of the interested LBO parties, but has not said it wants to sell, nor has it hired a team of advisers to help think it through. Bids could be made in the mid-$30s, but management might be expecting something the $40 range. Which means there is interest to sell, but at a higher price, equal to a premium over their $18B market cap. Blackstone and KKR are said to be among the interested. A sale of some assets may first be necessary to make it all happen.


WENDY'S INTERNATIONAL (NYSE: WEN)

The company chairman, James V. Pickett, speaks: "While a sale remains only one of the alternatives under consideration, we believe it merits more thorough examination." And, I'll have a square hamburger on a round bun, please.



STILL FLYING AROUND


KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS INC (NYSE: KKD)

But will they trade oil for donut batter? Mohamed Abdulmohsin Al Kharafi & Sons of Kuwait are buying up the stock like crazy. The shares are rising fast, and a purchase could finally happen. Or, could there be big expansion outside the U.S. of A.?


NETFLIX INC (NASDAQ: NFLX), AMAZON.COM INC (NASDAQ: AMZN)

It's not getting any easier for Netflix. Blockbuster Inc (NYSE: BBI) is making life miserable by price undercutting. Now Netflix will have to top that. Will Amazon now make it's move?



BUZZ


Tyson Foods Inc (NYSE: TSN): The shares are up on heavy trading, but many balk at talk of a sale or buyout... Harley-Davidson Inc (NYSE: HOG): Stock price moving on up may be due to takeover talk.

This week's rumor round-up: CV Therapeutics for sale? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyoutcv therapeuticsCvTherapeuticscvtxlbomarsh and mclennanMarshAndMclennanprivate equityPrivateEquityrumorsalespeculationFri, 22 Jun 2007 15:45:00 EST