"One of our roles will be to critique incautious uses of statistics when they arise elsewhere in news coverage," he wrote on the site Monday. "At other times, we'll explore ways that consumers can use data to their advantage and level the playing field against corporations and governments."
REM RIEDER: Nate Silver's next act
Silver came to prominence in 2008 when he compiled and computed local election polls to predict Barack Obama's victory in the general election. The New York Times subsequently struck an agreement with Silver to host his work online, and Silver's updates and similar prediction for President Obama's 2012 re-election drew heavy traffic for the newspaper's website.
Hot Insurance Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Aurubis AG (NDA)
Aurubis AG is a Germany-based company engaged in the production of primary copper and precious metals, the recycling of secondary raw materials and the processing of copper into final products. It operates through three business segments: Primary Copper that unifies activities related to the production of marketable copper cathodes from the primary raw material, copper concentrates, as well as the production and marketing of sulfuric acid; Recycling/Precious Metals, engaged in the production of copper cathodes from a variety of recycled raw materials and such by-metals and co-products as gold, silver, platinum and tin, among others, and Copper Products that includes the provision of such copper products as cast wire rod from cathodes, strips, shaped wires and others. The Company operates also through subsidiaries located in Germany, Sweden, the United States, Hong Kong, Russia and Bulgaria, among others. Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ruth David]
Block sales in western Europe reached $31.8 billion in the three months through September as Groupama SA sold shares in Societe Generale (GLE) SA and Sweden exited a stake in Nordea Bank (NDA) AB, data compiled by Bloomberg show. At the same time, investors poured about $22.2 billion into the region�� stock funds in the 15 weeks through Oct. 9, according to data from research firm EPFR Global Inc.
- [By Corinne Gretler]
Nordea (NDA) dropped 2.6 percent to 77.15 kronor, the biggest decline in four weeks. Sweden sold 284 million shares for 76 kronor each, valuing the 7 percent stake at 21.6 billion kronor ($3.4 billion).
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Own For 2014: Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp (SBY)
Silver Bay Realty Trust Corp., incorporated on June 29, 2012, is focused on the acquisition, renovation, leasing and management of single-family properties. The Company generates all of its revenue by leasing its portfolio of single-family properties.
As of September 30, 2012, the initial portfolio consisted of more than 2,540 single-family properties. As of September 30, 2012, Two Harbors owned a portfolio of approximately 1,660 single-family properties through its wholly owned subsidiary, Two Harbors Property Investment LLC. The Company is managed by PRCM Real Estate Advisers LLC.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Amanda Alix]
While these companies are still heavily involved, there is also a new presence on the scene: the single-family home REIT. Last December, mortgage REIT Two Harbors (NYSE: TWO ) spun off Silver Bay Realty (NYSE: SBY ) after selling its stable of 3,100 homes to Silver Bay prior to its initial public offering. Around the same time, Altisource Residential�was also born, spun off from Altisource Portfolio Solutions (NASDAQ: ASPS ) .
- [By Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson]
In this segment of The Motley Fool's financials-focused show, Where the Money Is, analysts Matt Koppenheffer and David Hanson discuss some of their favorite tweets of the day. Among the companies covered are Silver Bay (NYSE: SBY ) , American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH ) , and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ) .
- [By Amanda Alix]
2013 is starting off sweet for the hybrid REIT
Despite missing earnings per share estimates by $0.03, Two Harbors managed to keep its net interest spread at 2.9%, with no decrease from the previous quarter. The trust took a hit on book value of $0.35 -- not too disappointing considering the special Silver Bay Realty (NYSE: SBY ) dividend of $1.01 Two Harbors passed around with its own $0.32 payout, about six weeks ago.
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Own For 2014: Global Eagle Entertainment Inc (ENT)
Global Eagle Entertainment Inc., formerly Global Eagle Acquisition Corp., incorporated on February 2, 2011, is the full service platform offering both content and connectivity for the worldwide airline industry. Through its combined content, distribution and technology platforms, the Company provides airlines and the millions of travelers they serve with the offering of in-flight video content, e-commerce and information services. Through its Row 44 subsidiary, the Company utilizes Ku-band satellite technology to provide airline passengers with Internet access, live television, shopping and travel-related information. As of February 1, 2013, the Company installed on more than 450 aircraft, Row 44 has the fleet of connected entertainment platforms operating over land and sea globally. In addition, through its AIA division, the Company provides film and television content, games and applications to more than 130 airlines worldwide. In July 2013, the Company announced the acquisition of Post Modern Group, LLC. In October 2013, Global Eagle Entertainment Inc announced that it has acquired Travel Entertainment Group Equity Limited, the United Kingdom-based parent company of IFE Services Limited (IFE Services) from GCP Capital Partners LLP.
The Company�� Row 44 subsidiary provides satellite-based broadband service to the global airline industry. The Company�� Advanced Inflight Alliance (AIA) business is the provider of content services, products and solutions for the global inflight entertainment market. AIA also serves as the exclusive representative in sourcing Hollywood content for 60 airline customers and is the exclusive distributor of content from select Hollywood studios and independent producers to the airline market. In addition, AIA is the airline distributor of Asian, Bollywood, European, Latin American and Middle Eastern content.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Steve Symington]
What:�Shares of Global Eagle Entertainment� (NASDAQ: ENT ) �rose 12% early Friday, then settled close up around 7% after the in-flight content and connectivity specialist released solid first-quarter results.
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Own For 2014: Piedmont Office Realty Trust Inc.(PDM)
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial real estate properties in the United States. Its property portfolio primarily consists of office and industrial buildings, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. As of December 31, 2007, the company owned interests in 83 properties that are wholly owned and controlled through consolidated joint ventures. It has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust and would not be subject to federal income tax, if it distributes approximately 90% of its taxable income to its shareholders. The company was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Brad Thomas]
Other REITs mentioned: (O), (NNN), (STAG), (DCT), (EGP), (PDM), (DRE), (LRY)
Source: Chambers Street: More Liquidity Magic On The Way In REIT-DomDisclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. (More...)
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Own For 2014: Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd(ACH)
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited engages in the manufacture and distribution of alumina, primary aluminum, and aluminum fabrication products in the People?s Republic of China and internationally. Its Alumina segment involves in the mining and purchasing of bauxite and other raw materials, refining of bauxite into alumina, and sale of alumina. This segment also produces and sells chemical alumina, including alumina hydroxide and alumina chemicals, and metal gallium. The company?s Primary Aluminum segment engages in smelting alumina to produce primary aluminum, principally ingots for use in general aluminum fabrication in the construction, power generation, automobile, packaging, machinery, and durable goods industries. This segment also produces and sells carbon products and aluminum alloy products. The Aluminum Fabrication segment involves in the production and sale of aluminum fabrication products, including casts, planks, screens, extrusions, forges, powder, and die castings for use in the construction, power generation, automobile, packaging, machinery, and durable goods industries. The Trading segment engages in the procurement and sale of alumina, primary aluminum, and aluminum fabrication products, as well as relevant metal products, and raw and ancillary materials. The company also engages in the manufacture and distribution of metal materials; sale of general machinery and equipment; production, acquisition, and distribution of limestone ore, aluminum magnesium ore, and related nonferrous metal products; aluminum smelting, manufacture, and distribution of nonferrous metals; and generation and supply of electricity, as well as in iron ore mining and coal mining activities. Aluminum Corporation of China Limited was founded in 2001 and is based in Beijing, China.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Pendulum]
Century Aluminum's stock price has held up well compared to other aluminum companies:
AlcoaNoranda Aluminum (NOR)Aluminum Corp. of China (ACH) - [By Dan Carroll]
Meanwhile, investment has taken a toll on other industries such as materials like steel and aluminum, where oversupply has poisoned not only the domestic market but also the worldwide industry. That's resulted in both a hit to China's economy and a major headache for investors, who have watched major Chinese materials leaders such as Chinalco (NYSE: ACH ) suffer through plunging stock prices. Chinalco's stock has nosedived by more than 34% this year alone as the aluminum sector has weathered a prolonged dry spell of demand and oversupply, fed primarily by China's investment boom.
- [By Louis Navellier]
However, don’t be fooled into thinking AA is a good buy right now: This company falls short on sales growth. Alcoa’s main competitor is Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd. (ACH), but it is also rated a sell. So I wouldn’t be looking for buying opportunities in aluminum right now.
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Own For 2014: Insteel Industries Inc.(IIIN)
Insteel Industries, Inc. manufactures and markets steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction applications. The company offers pre-stressed concrete strand (PC strand) and welded wire reinforcement (WWR) products. Its PC strand is a high strength seven-wire strand that is used to impart compression forces into precast concrete elements and structures, which may be either pre-tensioned or post-tensioned, providing reinforcement for bridges, parking decks, buildings, and other concrete structures. The company?s WWR is produced as either a standard or a specially engineered reinforcing product for use in nonresidential and residential construction. Its products comprise concrete pipe reinforcement, an engineered made-to-order product that is used as the primary reinforcement in concrete pipe, box culverts, and precast manholes for drainage and sewage systems, water treatment facilities, and other related applications; engineered structural mesh, an engineered m ade-to-order product, which is used as the primary reinforcement for concrete elements or structures; and standard welded wire reinforcement, a secondary reinforcing product for crack control applications in residential and light nonresidential construction, including driveways, sidewalks, and various slab-on-grade applications. Insteel Industries sells its products through sales representatives to the manufacturers of concrete products, distributors, and rebar fabricators in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America. The company was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Mount Airy, North Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Seth Jayson]
Insteel Industries (Nasdaq: IIIN ) reported earnings on July 18. Here are the numbers you need to know.
The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended June 29 (Q3), Insteel Industries met expectations on revenues and missed estimates on earnings per share.
Top 10 Promising Stocks To Own For 2014: BB&T Corp (BBT)
BB&T Corporation (BB&T) is a financial holding company. BB&T conducts its business operations primarily through its commercial bank subsidiary, Branch Banking and Trust Company (Branch Bank), which has offices in North Carolina, Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, South Carolina, Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Washington D.C and Indiana. In addition, BB&T�� operations consist of a federally chartered thrift institution, BB&T Financial, FSB (BB&T FSB), and a number of nonbank subsidiaries, which offer financial services products. BB&T�� operations are divided into six business segments: Community Banking, Residential Mortgage Banking, Dealer Financial Services, Specialized Lending, Insurance Services, and Financial Services. Branch Bank provides a range of banking and trust services for retail and commercial clients in its geographic markets, including small and mid-size businesses, public agencies, local Governments and individuals, through 1,779 offices as of December 31, 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2011, BB&T announced the acquisitions of Liberty Benefit Insurance Services, Atlantic Risk Management Corporation and the Precept Group. In April 2012, it acquired the life and property and casualty insurance operating divisions of Roseland, New Jersey - based Crump Group Inc. On July 31, 2012, it acquired BankAtlantic.
As of December 31, 2011, the principal operating subsidiaries of BB&T included Branch Banking and Trust Company, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; BB&T Financial, FSB, Columbus, Georgia; Scott & Stringfellow, LLC, Richmond, Virginia; Clearview Correspondent Services, LLC, Richmond, Virginia; Regional Acceptance Corporation, Greenville, North Carolina; American Coastal Insurance Company, Davie, Florida, and Sterling Capital Management, LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina. Branch Bank�� principal operating subsidiaries include BB&T Equipment Finance Corporation, BB&T Investment Services, Inc., BB&T Insurance Services, Inc., Stanley, Hunt, DuPree! & Rhine (a division of Branch Bank), Prime Rate Premium Finance Corporation, Inc., Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC, Lendmark Financial Services, Inc., CRC Insurance Services, Inc. and McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc.
Community Banking
BB&T�� Community Banking serves individual and business clients by offering a range of loan and deposit products and other financial services. As of December 31, 2011, Community Banking had a network of 1,779 banking.
Residential Mortgage Banking
Residential Mortgage Banking segment retains and services mortgage loans originated by Community Banking, as well as those purchased from various correspondent originators. Mortgage loan products include fixed and adjustable rate Government and conventional loans for the purpose of constructing, purchasing or refinancing residential properties. Substantially all of the properties are owner occupied. BB&T retains the servicing rights to all loans sold. Residential Mortgage Banking earns interest on loans held in the warehouse and portfolio, fee income from the origination and servicing of mortgage loans and recognizes gains or losses from the sale of mortgage loans. BB&T�� mortgage originations totaled $23.7 billion in 2011. BB&T�� residential mortgage servicing portfolio, which includes both retained loans and loans serviced for third parties, totaled $91.6 billion in 2011.
Dealer Financial Services
Dealer Financial Services originates loans to consumers on a prime and nonprime basis for the purchase of automobiles. Such loans are originated on an indirect basis through approved franchised and independent automobile dealers throughout the BB&T market area and nationally through Regional Acceptance Corporation. This segment also originates loans for the purchase of boats and recreational vehicles originated through dealers in BB&T�� market area. In addition, financing and servicing to dealers for their inventories is provided through a ! joint rel! ationship between Dealer Financial Services and Community Banking.
Specialized Lending
BB&T�� Specialized Lending consists of eight business units that provide specialty finance products to consumers and businesses. The internal business units include Commercial Finance that contains commercial finance and mortgage warehouse lending; and, Governmental Finance that is responsible for tax-exempt Government finance. Operating subsidiaries include BB&T Equipment Finance which provides equipment leasing within BB&T�� banking footprint; Sheffield Financial, a division of FSB Financial, a dealer-based financer of equipment for both small businesses and consumers; Lendmark Financial Services, a direct consumer finance lending company; Prime Rate Premium Finance Corporation, which includes AFCO and CAFO, insurance premium finance business units that provide funding to businesses in the United States and Canada and to consumers in certain markets within BB&T�� banking footprint, and Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, a commercial mortgage banking lender providing loans on a national basis.
Insurance Services
BB&T Insurance Services provides property and casualty, life and health insurance to businesses and individuals. It also provides small business and corporate products, such as workers compensation and professional liability, as well as surety coverage and title insurance. In addition, Insurance Services also underwrites a limited amount of property and casualty coverage.
Financial Services
Financial Services provides personal trust administration, estate planning, investment counseling, wealth management, asset management, employee benefits services, corporate banking and corporate trust services to individuals, corporations, institutions, foundations and Government entities. Financial Services also offers clients investment alternatives, including discount brokerage services, equities, fixed-rate and variable-rate annuiti! es, mutua! l funds and governmental and municipal bonds through BB&T Investment Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Branch Bank. Financial Services includes Scott & Stringfellow, LLC, a brokerage and investment banking firm. Scott & Stringfellow provides services in retail brokerage, equity and debt underwriting, investment advice, corporate finance and equity research and facilitates the origination, trading and distribution of fixed-income securities and equity products in both the public and private capital markets. Scott & Stringfellow also has a public finance department that provides investment banking services, financial advisory services and municipal bond financing. Scott & Stringfellow�� investment banking and corporate and public finance areas conduct business as BB&T Capital Markets. This segment includes BB&T Capital Partners that is a group of BB&T-sponsored private equity and mezzanine investment funds that invest in privately owned middle-market operating companies. Financial Services also includes the Corporate Banking Division that originates and services corporate relationships, syndicated lending relationships and client derivatives.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jon C. Ogg]
BB&T Corp. (NYSE: BBT) was raised to Outperform from Perform at Oppenheimer.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) was reiterated as Buy with a $29 price target (versus a $23.43 close) at Argus.
- [By Amanda Alix]
Citi, B of A still at risk
Similarly, there is little good news as far as the most vulnerable banks are concerned. Bank of America dropped to No. 3�from No. 1, certainly nothing to brag about, while Citi moved up from second place to take the top spot. Interestingly, BB&T (NYSE: BBT ) now holds spot No. 2, quite a turnaround from the last survey -- though, when it comes to mortgage servicing, this bank trounces all others. - [By Amanda Alix]
The best, and the worst
For the fourth year in a row, BB&T (NYSE: BBT ) has taken the top spot for the highest consumer approval rating among mortgage servicers -- scoring 765 out of a possible 1,000 points -- though it did register a drop from last year's grade of 803. At the very bottom of the pile, servicers Ocwen and Nationstar still reside: Ocwen improved by 36 points, though Nationstar lost 11 points. - [By Shauna O'Brien]
Before Thursday’s opening bell, regional bank BB&T Corporation (BBT) reported higher first quarter earnings. Despite the increase in earnings, the company was unable to exceed analysts’ expectations.
BBT’s Earnings in Brief
BBT posted first quarter earnings of�$501 million, or 69 cents per share, up from�$210 million, or 29 cents per share, a year ago. Analysts expected to see earnings of 70 cents per share. Revenue for the quarter was�$2.29 billion, down from $2.46 billion last year and below analysts’ estimate of $2.31 billion. The bank reported that its loan portfolio rose 1.7% from the Q1 of last year.CEO Commentary
BBT’s chairman and CEO Kelly S. King had the following comments:�”Our results for the first quarter were solid in light of normal seasonality. Insurance revenues were very strong for the quarter, credit results continued to improve and expenses were down $53 million compared with last quarter, reflecting improving expense control. Commercial loan growth was strong, particularly commercial real estate lending for income producing properties. Consistent with industry trends, mortgage banking income declined as originations were down from last year’s record levels.”
BBT’s Dividend
BBT paid its last quarterly dividend of 23 cents on March 3. �The company reported that it is considering raising its dividend to 24 cents. We expect BBT to declare its next dividend sometime in April.
Stock Performance
BB&T Corporation shares were mostly flat during pre-market trading Thursday. The stock is up 5.41% YTD.
BBT Dividend SnapshotAs of market close of April 16, 2014
Click here to see the complete history of BBT dividends.
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