Jack Adamo has been a bull on U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and is now recommending doubling the position that he holds in his model portfolio. Here's the latest from his Insiders Plus newsletter.
"US Bancorp is accepting $6.6 billion in new capital from the TARP program. Tier One capital will rise from 8.5% to 11.4% as a result of the new deal.
"The company will issue preferred stock to the U.S. Treasury at an annual rate of 5% for five years, increasing to 9% per year thereafter if the company has not redeemed the shares. I doubt they'll go unredeemed.
"The Treasury Department would also receive 10-year warrants entitling it to buy common stock of U.S. Bancorp with a value equal to 15% of the amount of the preferred stock issuance.
"With Tier One capital already at 8.5%, USB obviously didn't need the Fed infusion. It said it saw it as a good opportunity to get cheap capital with which to take advantage of any acquisition opportunities. I agree with that.
"Those terms are very good. Compare them to the arm-twisting terms some companies have paid, e.g., the 10%, plus warrants, that Buffett charged GE. Incidentally, Buffett added 3 million shares of USB to his holding in Q3.
"I said about 18 months ago, before the market carnage started, that U.S. Bancorp was the single stock that I felt most comfortable with. That hasn't changed.
"With a dividend of 6.5%, a great balance sheet, and opportunities to take business from weaker banks in the years ahead, this is a truly safe place to put money for solid total returns for years to come."
Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.
"So far, the financial sector has written off more than $300 million in assets. By some accounts the damage will rise to $1 trillion or more before all is said and done.
"The selloff, which at its nadir was marked by a 55% year-over-year decline in the KBW Index, pushed the constituent members down to a collective 0.64 times book value and a dividend yield of 9%.
"At those levels, either the world is coming to an end or there are tremendous bargains for investors with the courage of their convictions. Looking hard at the data, we can only conclude the latter is the case, provided you're careful with your investment choices.
Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) closed at $25.27 Monday. WFC July option implied volatility of 51 is above its 26-week average of 40 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.
US Bancorp (NYSE: USB) closed at $30.95 Monday. USB June option implied volatility is at 39, July is at 35; above its 26-week average of 31, suggesting larger risks.
Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
The model portfolio of Insiders Plus gains 48% last year; here, editor Jack Adamo reviews two of his portfolio holdings -- both bank stocks being accumulated by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.
"U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) reported a slight decrease in Q1 earnings of 62¢ per share versus 63¢ last year; the shares rose 2.8% the next day. Compared to the disastrous results of its peers, this small decline in earnings was a home run.
"That's a testament to the company's savvy managers. USB steered clear of the toxic problems that choked most banks. Only 2.7% of its loans are subprime.
"Warren Buffett's Berkshire-Hathaway continues to buy the stock steadily. Recent SEC filings show that in the fourth quarter of 2007 Berkshire increased its share of the Minneapolis-based bank by 3 million shares to a total of 75 million.
"This represents 4.4% of its shares outstanding, and up tremendously from its stake of 23 million shares just a few years ago. The Wizard of Omaha knows what he likes and why he likes it.
"Meanwhile, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) reported Q1 earnings of 60¢ per share down 9% year-over-year, but up 46% from the December quarter. Like USB, Fargo shares continue to be accumulated at Berkshire Hathaway.
"The stock is a solid long-term buy, with good prospects of steadily raising its 4.2% dividend. It has capital appreciation potential to boot, especially after the housing hangover abates."
Each day, Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.
Shares of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) are slightly higher in early trading despite the fact that the company posted a decline for its first-quarter profit. As Trey Thoelcke discussed, analysts were waiting for the sixth-largest U.S. bank to show smaller profit, but the firm was able to beat by 1 penny analysts' predictions.
For the quarter, US Bancorp announced that its profit slipped 4% to $1.09 billion, compared with $1.13 billion, a year earlier. The drop was tied to impairment charges and higher credit losses provision. The bank posted quarterly earnings of 62 cents per share, slightly higher the 61cents per share that analysts expected.
Taking a look at the company's quarterly revenue, we see a growth of 14% to $1.8 billion. For this period, the Minneapolis-based company also saw an increase of 14% in expenses which rose up to $1.8 billion. Quarterly revenue exceeded analysts' predictions for sales of $3.66 billion, according to Reuters Estimates.
"The indiscriminate sell-off in the financial sector has left some banks at valuations that haven't been seen in 20 years," says value investor Nathan Slaughter.
In his Half-Priced Stocks newsletter, the advisors looks to one out-of-favor favorite among banks: Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB). Incidentally, he notes that Warren Buffett recently added to his position in the banking stock.
"US Bancorp is the nation's sixth-largest bank in terms of assets, with nearly $238 billion at last count. The firm operates over 2,500 branches in 24 states, mostly in the western and midwestern parts of the country, including an established presence in key markets such as St. Louis, Denver and Seattle.
"Over the past year, the company has seen solid increases in both loans and deposits. More importantly, it paid out just 3.8% on those interest-bearing liabilities, far below what it earned on loans and other investments -- with the net interest margin expanding to 3.91%.
"And, that rate could move even higher in the coming months thanks to a more favorable interest rate environment. And as for credit quality, U.S. Bank remains at the very top of its peer group.
For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.
"For the investor who has some money with which he or she is willing to take some risk, I suggest they take a look at the regional banks ETF iShares Dow Jones US Regional Banks (NYSE: IAT), which I've selected as my top speculative pick for 2008," notes Leonard Goodall, CFA and editor of No-Load Portfolios.
"I recommend this ETF for two reasons, a fundamental reason and a timeliness reason. From a fundamental perspective, most of the regional banks in this portfolio have good solid financials and they know their areas of service well enough to avoid the worst aspects of the current real estate crisis.
"The three largest holdings in the fund -- US Bancorp, Suntrust Bank and PNC Financial -- all have records of consistently improving earnings over the last five years. US Bancorp and Suntrust have raised their dividends each of the last five years, and PNC has raised its dividend in three of the five.
"Purchase of the fund now is timely because its price has been pushed down along with all financial stocks that have been the victim of the subprime mortgage crisis.
With just ten more shopping days until Christmas, it's time for a stocking stuffer wish list. With the recent market selloff, bargains are abound. If you think the 15% off sales in your favorite department store are interesting, here are stocks that are REALLY on sale, and would make the perfect stocking stuffer.
For American Express (NYSE: AXP), the shopping season is going better than all the pessimists thought it would and the credit card company should stand to gain. In addition, since the market tends to be a leading economic indicator that looks out six months into the future, I would expect a strong pickup in growth in the second half of '08, which should also help earnings. With this stock trading down to levels not seen in 15 months, the stock is looking attractive for a turnaround.
ClickSoftware (NASDAQ: CKSW) is the leading provider of mobile workforce management and service optimization solutions. With mobile applications just starting to come online into the market, this company could be a real winner. This stock isn't for the weak of heart, having dropped 43% from the 52 week-high. That being said, business is shaping up to be really strong for '08.
January's earnings period is heating up, with Apple and Motorola reporting this upcoming week. Also there are two more interesting industry conferences coming on the heels of the CES and Macworld.
Monday January 15
The 96th Annual National Retail Federation Conference will be held in N.Y.
The North American International Auto Show 2007 will be held in Detroit.
Tuesday January 16
US Bancorp (NYSE: USB) will report Q4 earnings, conference call at 2pm. The bank is expected to report solid EPS but declining revenue. Wall Street will be looking to evaluate USB's comments on where it sees the U.S. economy heading in 2007.
American Power Conversion (NASDAQ: APCC) will hold a special shareholder meeting at 2pm to vote on the proposed merger with Schneider Electric.
Wednesday January 17
Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) will report Q1 2007 earnings, conference call at 5pm. Investors and analysts will be looking for further details and clarification on the iPhone, and will also be looking to see how much progress the company's Macs are making against rival PCs.
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) will hold its annual investor meeting at 3pm in St. Louis. Investors will be waiting to hear any news on the merger with Delta & Pine Land (NYSE: DLP), which was announced last August, but has been delayed by antitrust concerns.
Thursday January 18
Harley Davidson Inc (NYSE: HOG) will report its Q4 2006 earnings, conference call at 9am. The focus of the report will be the company's inventory, order backlog and its ability to keep up with customer demand. Wall Street will also be looking at Harley Davidson's ability to reduce the time it takes to get new motorcycles to market.
Friday January 19
Motorola, Inc (NYSE: MOT)will report its Q4 2006 earnings, conference call at 7:30am. Investors will look to see if Motorola's earnings release does anything to ease concerns brought on by two recent downgrades, from Buy to Neutral/Hold, one which claimed "uncertainty over U.S. market share trends in 2007."
U.S. stocks were slightly higher on light trading volume. The Dow was up 0.45%, the NASDAQ 100 up 0.35%, the S&P 500 up 0.35%, while 10-year bond rates decreased to 4.6030%. The CBOE VIX was up .02 to 11.38.
Telik Inc's (NASDAQ: TELK) January option implied volatility collapsed after disappointing data. Telik was recently down $11.47 to $4.79. TELK Phase 3 trails related to its cancer drug Telcyta (treatment for non-small cell lung cancer & ovarian cancer) "did not achieve statistically significant improvement in overall survival." JANY & STFL downgraded Telik to sell. Telik's January option implied volatility was at 85, according to Track Data, below a level of 215 from last week, suggesting decreasing risk.
Eli Lilly's (NYSE: LLY) January 55 calls were active on 6,163 contracts as Lilly rallies. Eli Lilly recently rallied .43 to $51.77, after a Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. ruled its 2011 Zyprexa patent was valid. Lilly faced pressure last week on documents leaked to the NY Times indicating Zryprexa (schizophrenia treatment) had understated weight gain and diabetes risk. Lilly's Zyprexa accounts for approximately 25% of Lilly's sales & 50% of its EPS. Lilly's January option implied volatility of 19 was near its 26-week average of 19, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional risks.
U.S. Bancorp's (NYSE: USB) calls active on company going ex-dividend on 12/27/06. USB goes ex-dividend on 12/27/06, paying a dividend of .40 cents. USB total intra-day call option volume was heavy on over 962,946 contracts, according to Track Data. Heavy call volume was attributable to traders hoping to take advantage of option exercises, call pricing discrepancies and low option transaction commission fees.
Liquid stocks with option implied volatility above 90, according to Track Data: AtheroGenics (NASDAQ: AGIX), Momenta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: MNTA), Dendreon Corp (NASDAQ: DNDN), Escala Group (NASDAQ: ESCL), and Northfield Laboratories (NASDAQ: NFLD).
Option volume leaders today were Telik Inc, Altria Group (NYSE: MO), Clear Channel Communications (NYSE: CCU), and Apple Computer (NASDAQ: AAPL).
Options analysis provided by Paul Foster, options strategist for Theflyonthewall.com.
Wells Fargo
Shares of 
"For the investor who has some money with which he or she is willing to take some risk, I suggest they take a look at the regional banks ETF 
With just ten more shopping days until Christmas, it's time for a stocking stuffer wish list. With the recent market selloff, bargains are abound. If you think the 15% off sales in your favorite department store are interesting, here are stocks that are REALLY on sale, and would make the perfect stocking stuffer.
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