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[Is First Niagara Headed to $20 and Beyond?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/18/is-first-niagara-headed-to-20-and-beyond/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/18/is-first-niagara-headed-to-20-and-beyond/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/18/is-first-niagara-headed-to-20-and-beyond/#commentsFiled under:

First Niagara (FNFG) logoCommunity bank First Niagara Financial Group's (FNFG) stock, which I first wrote about on April 27, 2009, at a price of $13.55, continues to progress this winter, with the stock rising about 10% to $15.

First Niagara's fundamentals remain strong, including a superior residential loan portfolio. Also, following the completion of its pending merger with NewAlliance Bancorp (NAL), subject to approvals, First Niagara will have more than $29 billion in assets, $18 billion in deposits, and 340 branches. The proposed merger also should create greater economies of scale and generate synergies that decrease expenses.

Continue reading Is First Niagara Headed to $20 and Beyond?

Is First Niagara Headed to $20 and Beyond? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>First Niagara Financial GroupFNFGFri, 18 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Now a Good Time to Consider First Niagara?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/01/is-now-a-good-time-to-consider-first-niagara/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/01/is-now-a-good-time-to-consider-first-niagara/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/01/is-now-a-good-time-to-consider-first-niagara/#commentsFiled under:

The shares of community bank First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG), which I first wrote about on April 27, 2009 at a price of $13.55, have recovered enough such that it makes sense to continue with the trade.

First Niagara's shares fell in bear-hug fashion this year, with the decline accelerated after the bank bought RTI Insurance Services and Three Rivers Financial Services of Pittsburgh; some selling was due to integration costs.

Still, FNFG's fundamentals remain strong, including a superior residential loan portfolio. Moreover, the stock appears to have bottomed at/near $11 and the recent rise above the key, 50-day moving average -- a bullish technical indicator -- provides further evidence that the short-term investment players are out of the stock.

Continue reading Is Now a Good Time to Consider First Niagara?

Is Now a Good Time to Consider First Niagara? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>First Niagara Financial GroupfnfgWed, 01 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[First Niagara: For Now, Stand Aside]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/20/first-niagara-for-now-stand-aside/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/20/first-niagara-for-now-stand-aside/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/20/first-niagara-for-now-stand-aside/#commentsFiled under:

It's been a disappointing summer for the shares of community bank First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG), first discussed here on April 27, 2009 at a price of $13.55.

On Thursday, First Niagara agreed to acquire 88-branch NewAlliance Bancshares (NAL) for about $1.5 billion, in a deal expected to create a combined bank with more than $29 billion in assets.

Earlier in August, First Niagara bought RTI Insurance Services and Three Rivers Financial Services of Pittsburgh.

Continue reading First Niagara: For Now, Stand Aside

First Niagara: For Now, Stand Aside originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>First Niagara Financial GroupFNFGFri, 20 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AGP, BCSI, CL, DECK, PG, MON, RHT, RY, TTWO, WFC ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/28/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/28/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/28/analyst-calls/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Thomas Weisel upgraded Deckers Outdoor (DECK) to overweight from market weight following channel checks. The firm also raised its target for shares to $170 from $162.
  • Deutsche Bank upgraded Amerigroup (AGP) to buy from hold as it believes the company is well positioned to benefit from health care reform. The firm upped its target for shares to $42 from $38.
  • Cowen upgraded Cubist Pharmaceuticals (CBST) to outperform from neutral, citing increased conviction in Cubicin's patent exclusivity.
  • OmniVision (OVTI) was upgraded to strong buy from buy at Needham.
  • Take-Two (TTWO) was upgraded to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
  • Wells Fargo (WFC) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AGP, BCSI, CL, DECK, PG, MON, RHT, RY, TTWO, WFC ...

Analyst Calls: AGP, BCSI, CL, DECK, PG, MON, RHT, RY, TTWO, WFC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AGPanalyst upgradesBCSIBPLCBSTCLDECKdowngradesFNFGinitiationsinthenewsJASOMONMonsantoOVTIPGProcter and GambleRHTSUTTWOVISNVRWells FargoWFCFri, 28 May 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Community Bank First Niagara: Still a Bargain?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/27/first-niagara-still-a-bargain/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/27/first-niagara-still-a-bargain/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/27/first-niagara-still-a-bargain/#commentsFiled under:

The shares of community bank First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG), which I first wrote about on April 27, 2009, at a price of $13.55, have meandered for the better part of a year, but I still like company at this juncture. Here's why:

First Niagara's value proposition remains the same: a community bank with few non-performing mortgages. Its residential loan portfolio, all in-house, is performing well. Also, in the first quarter of 2010, average commercial loan balances increased at a 15% annualized rate, on solid commercial business loan growth in Upstate New York and in Western Pennsylvania. FNFG now has $20 billion in assets, $14 billion in deposits, and 255 branches.

Continue reading Community Bank First Niagara: Still a Bargain?

Community Bank First Niagara: Still a Bargain? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banksFirst Niagara Financial GroupFNFGregional banksTue, 27 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Niagara: A Low-Profile Gem]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/29/first-niagara-a-low-profile-gem/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/29/first-niagara-a-low-profile-gem/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/29/first-niagara-a-low-profile-gem/#commentsFiled under:

Community banking may become an enduring trend in the current decade, and that's a major reason I'm reiterating my buy rating for First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG), first recommended on April 27, 2009, at a price of $13.55.

First Niagara's stock has continued to meander since the spring buy call, but the value proposition remains the same: a community bank with few non-performing mortgages. Its residential loan portfolio, all in-house, is performing well.

Continue reading First Niagara: A Low-Profile Gem

First Niagara: A Low-Profile Gem originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankingbankscommunity banksFirst Niagara Financial Corp.FNFGFri, 29 Jan 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Niagara: A bank sector survivor ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/10/first-niagara-a-bank-sector-survivor/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/10/first-niagara-a-bank-sector-survivor/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/10/first-niagara-a-bank-sector-survivor/#commentsFiled under:

One new rule of the post-financial crisis era is that bank 'bigness' does not reduce the risk of a bank stock investment. In fact, the opposite may be true, which is why I'm I'm reiterating my buy rating for First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG), first recommended on April 27, 2009, at a price of $13.55.

First Niagara's stock has continued to meander since the spring buy call, but the value proposition remains the same: a community bank with few non-performing mortgages. Its residential loan portfolio, all in-house, is performing well. FNFG posted Q3 earnings per share of 7 cents, compared to the First Call Q3 EPS estimate of 13 cents.

Continue reading First Niagara: A bank sector survivor

First Niagara: A bank sector survivor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>First Niagara Financial GroupFNFGTue, 10 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[First Niagara: A bank stock you can bank on]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/first-niagara-a-bank-stock-you-can-bank-on/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/first-niagara-a-bank-stock-you-can-bank-on/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/first-niagara-a-bank-stock-you-can-bank-on/#commentsFirst Niagara (NASDAQ: FNFG), first recommended on April 27, 2009 at a price of $13.55.

First Niagara's stock has meandered somewhat since the spring call, but the value proposition remains the same: a community bank with few non-performing mortgages. It's residential loan portfolio, all in-house, is performing well.

Continue reading First Niagara: A bank stock you can bank on

First Niagara: A bank stock you can bank on originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>First Niagara Financial GroupFNFGMon, 24 Aug 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, AVY, C, FMCN, THC ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/14/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/14/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/14/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Baird upgraded Tenet Healthcare (NYSE: THC) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $6 from $5 based on cost trends, valuation, and expectations the company can beat expectations over the next six months.
  • Oppenheimer upgraded E-House (NYSE: EJ) to Outperform from Perform following the company's better-than-expected Q2 results. The firm has a price target of $27 on shares.
  • JPMorgan upgraded Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) to Overweight from Neutral and has a $33 target on the stock. The firm cites valuation for the upgrade following the recent underperformance and expects the company's margins to expand as demand rebounds.
  • Citigroup (NYSE: C) was upgraded to Buy from Underperform at BofA/Merrill.
  • Taubman Centers (NYSE: TCO) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Buy at Goldman.
  • First Niagara (NASDAQ: FNFG) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Janney Montgomery.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, AVY, C, FMCN, THC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, AVY, C, FMCN, THC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMGNanalyst upgradesAVBAVYCitigroupDEIDLRdowngradesDSGXEJFMCNFNFGHSPIHGinitiationsMANSBLKTCOTHCUCBHWORFri, 14 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: Private deals for regional banks would be a mistake]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/04/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-private-deals-for-regional-banks-would/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/04/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-private-deals-for-regional-banks-would/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/04/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-private-deals-for-regional-banks-would/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says existing players would give better deals to the taxpayers here.

If the FDIC is poised to split banks to lure buyers, which is the headline from last week's papers, the buyers worth luring are not only the NewAlliances (NYSE: NAL) (Cramer's Take) and the First Niagaras (NASDAQ: FNFG) (Cramer's Take) but also Chinese banks and HSBC (NYSE: HBC) (Cramer's Take) and Barclays (NYSE: BCS) (Cramer's Take), both of which reported great quarters yesterday.

We keep focusing on these private-equity entrees that need to be intrigued to get in. I say to heck with them. That's nonsense. We need deep-pocketed existing banks that want to be bigger in the United States, not more handouts to private-equity firms that then bring them public in our faces and make a ton of money off us. We need ones that know how to run banks and know how to compete against the new colossuses like Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) (Cramer's Take), JPMorgan (NYSE: JPM) (Cramer's Take) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) (Cramer's Take).

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Private deals for regional banks would be a mistake

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Private deals for regional banks would be a mistake originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bacbcsfeaturedfnfghbcjim cramerJimCramerjpmnalwfcTue, 04 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: First Niagara -- the model stock to own ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/28/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-first-niagara-the-model-stock-to-ow/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/28/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-first-niagara-the-model-stock-to-ow/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/28/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-first-niagara-the-model-stock-to-ow/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says its acquisition of Harleysville could make it a great regional player in the East.

When we look back at the coming great banking consolidation making a host of new colossuses, we will think about First Niagara's (NASDAQ: FNFG) (Cramer's Take) acquisition of Harleysville National (NASDAQ: HNBC) (Cramer's Take) announced on a sleepy Monday near the end of July 2009.

First Niagara, a Lockport, N.Y., bank, earlier this year received a gift from the FDIC -- a big chunk of PNC Financial (NYSE: PNC) (Cramer's Take) branches -- made necessary because PNC had too much market power courtesy of its now seemingly disastrous acquisition of National City. That move gave First Niagara a foothold in western Pennsylvania to complement its New York base.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: First Niagara -- the model stock to own

Cramer on BloggingStocks: First Niagara -- the model stock to own originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfnfghnbcjim cramerJimCramerpncwbsTue, 28 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: Let's read some good news for once ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/19/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-lets-read-some-good-news-for-once/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/19/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-lets-read-some-good-news-for-once/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/19/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-lets-read-some-good-news-for-once/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says some really good things are happening, but you wouldn't know it from reading the headlines.

You want to shoot yourself when you read these headlines. "Local Banks Face Big Losses," is the lead story in The Wall Street Journal, a fomented survey story telling us that commercial lending is going to sink local and community banks under a pile of $100 billion in bad loans.

This is news?

So what!

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Let's read some good news for once

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Let's read some good news for once originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 May 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aigcfeaturedfmerfnfggbcihdjim cramerJimCramerlowpbctTue, 19 May 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[First Niagara knows that not all banks are alike]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/first-niagara-knows-that-not-all-banks-are-alike/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/first-niagara-knows-that-not-all-banks-are-alike/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/first-niagara-knows-that-not-all-banks-are-alike/#commentsFiled under:

A bank stock? In this market? Indeed, opportunities exist, but you have to pick your battles, and First Niagara Financial Group (NASDAQ: FNFG) is one.

First Niagara is that best of all possible banks for the new era. A conglomerate? No. A bank of scale? No. It's a community bank, and it contains the golden goose of banking: few non-performing mortgages!

Continue reading First Niagara knows that not all banks are alike

First Niagara knows that not all banks are alike originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banking stocksBankingStocksFirst Niagara Financial Corp.FNFGMon, 27 Apr 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: MCRS, MU, KFT, CAKE]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Jefferies upgraded MICROS Systems (NASDAQ:MCRS) to Buy from Hold as it believes the company's cost cutting is running ahead of Street expectations. The firm raised its target on shares to $25 from $18.
  • KeyBanc upgraded Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ:CAKE) to Buy from Hold. The analyst believes companies will beat EPS estimates given lower commodity costs, focus on cost controls, and reduced drag of inefficient, new restaurants on unit level margins. Additionally, they believe reduced mortgage payments from refinancing will incrementally help traffic.
  • Keefe Bruyette upgraded First Niagara (NASDAQ:FNFG) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation following the company's Q1 results. The firm raised its target price to $15.
  • American Electric Power (NYSE:AEP) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  • Royal Gold (NASDAQ:RGLD) was upgraded to Sector Performer from Sector Underperformer at CIBC and to Neutral from Underperform at Banc of America/Merrill.
  • Micron (NYSE:MU) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: MCRS, MU, KFT, CAKE

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: MCRS, MU, KFT, CAKE originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeparexbeavcakeceocmecoldeckdrhesiofnfghstkftlstrmcrsmuosgrgldtgiwbmdwsfsThu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:00 EST