U.S. Banks Must Raise Capital

U.S. Banks Must Raise Capital. The eight largest banks in the U.S. have to hold an additional $68B in capital to absorb future losses. U.S. regulators voted to raise the "leverage ratio" to 5-6% of their total assets which is above Basel III standard of 3%. The banks affected include Bank of America (BAC), Bank of New York Mellon (BK), Citigroup (C),  Goldman Sachs (GS), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Morgan Stanley (MS), State Street (ST), Wells Fargo (WFC). The banks will have until January 1, 2018 to comply.

Upgrades:

Alcoa (AA): Deutsche Bank raised their rating from Sell to Hold and placed a target price of $10.00 on the company. Pre-market: 13.01 +0.48 (3.83%)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B): The ReasearchTeam raised their rating from Hold to Accumulate. Pre-market: 123.69 +0.56 (0.45%)

Nike (NKE): Stifel raised their rating from Hold to Buy and placed a target price of $87.00 on the company.

Downgrades:

Apache Corp. (APA): Deutsche Bank lowered their rating from Buy to Hold and placed a target price of $91.00 on the company. Pre-market: 84.70 -0.48 (-0.56%)

Arris Group (ARRS): The Street.com lowered their rating from Buy to Hold.

Credit Suisse (CS): JPMorgan lowered their rating from Neutral to Underweight. Pre-market: 32.27 -0.01 (-0.03%)

Cisco Systems (CSCO): Wunderlich lowered their rating from Buy to Hold and lowered their target price from $25.00 to $24.00.

The Hershey Comp. (HSY): Goldman Sachs lowered their rating from Neutral to Sell and placed a target price of $70.00 on the company. Pre-market: 99.37 -2.35 (-2.31%)

Royal Caribbean (RCL): Pareto lowered their rating from Buy to Hold.

Coverage Initiated:

Ball Corp. (BLL): Credit Suisse initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $59.00.

Cabela’s (CAB): Credit Suisse initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $71.00.

CBS Corp. (CBS): JPMorgan initiated coverage with an Overweight rating.

General Motors (GM): JPMorgan initiated coverage with an Underweight rating and target price of $33.00. Pre-market: 33.94 -0.59 (-1.71%)

International Paper (IP): Credit Suisse initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and target price of $67.00.

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG): Sterne Agee initiated coverage with an Underperform rating and target price of $440.00. Pre-market: 438.76 -51.08 (-10.43%)

Kellogg Comp. (K): Nomura initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $70.00.

Earning Reports:

Alcoa (AA): Reported EPS of $0.09 beating estimates by +$0.04. Pre-market: 13.01 +0.48 (3.83%)

Constellation Brands (STZ): Reported EPS of $0.81 beating estimates by +$0.05. Pre-market: 84.75 +3.27 (4.01%)

Progressive (PGR): Reported EPS of $0.54 beating estimates by +$0.15. Pre-market: 24.86 +0.70 (2.90%)

WD-40 (WDFC): Reported EPS of $0.67 missing estimates by -$0.01.

Markets: 
Futures at 8:41: Dow +0.35%. S&P +0.27%. Nasdaq +0.43%. Crude +0.13% to $102.69. Gold -0.37% to $1304.00. U.S. 10 Year -6/32 to 2.705%.

Europe: London +0.8%. Paris +0.4%. Frankfurt +0.4%. 

Asia: Japan -2.1% to 14300. Hong Kong +1.1% to 22843. China +0.3% to 2105. India +1.6% to 22702. 

#RLPaler #TopWealthManager #WallStreet #Stocks #EarningReports #AnalystsUpgradesDowngrades    

U.S. Market Set to Open Flat After ADP Report and Ukraine Developments

U.S. Market Set to Open Flat After ADP Report and Ukraine Developments. ADP reported that private employers added 139,000 jobs in February, missing economists' expectations of 160,000 jobs. Additionally, January's number was revised downward by 48,000 to only 127,000 jobs. Ukraine and Russian remain at a standoff while Secretary Kerry visited the region yesterday, Russia’s President Putin said that he has no control over the Russian troops in the Ukraine Crimea region calling the troops local security forces. According to Ukrainian officials Russia has moved over 16,000 troops into the Crimea region.  Additionally, Russia test fired a ICBM missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads yesterday breaking a treating with the U.S.

Upgrades:

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): S&P raised their rating from 3 Stars to 5 Stars. Pre-market: 118.67 +0.10 (0.08%)

Ericsson (ERIC): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform and raised their rating from $13.00 to $16.00. Pre-market: 12.91 +0.20 (1.57%)

Pandora Media (P): MKM Partners raised their rating from Sell to Neutral and placed a target price of $39.00 on the company. Pre-market: 39.45 +0.28 (0.71%)

Smith & Wesson (SWHC): Cowen raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform. Pre-market: 13.00 +1.20 (10.17%)

Towers Watson (TW): Goldman Sachs raised their rating from Buy to Conviction Buy and placed a target price of $134.00 on the company.

Downgrades:

Staples (SPLS): B. Riley lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral and lowered their target price from $18.00 to $15.00. Pre-market: 13.35 -0.12 (-0.89%)

Walt Disney (DIS): S&P lowered their rating from 5 Stars to 4 Stars. Pre-market: 82.08 +0.37 (0.45%)

Coverage Initiated:

Santander Consumer USA (SC): Stephens initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and target price of $30.00.

Earning Reports:

Brown Forman (BF.B): Reported EPS of $0.82 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 85.12 +0.82 (0.97%)

Navistar (NAV): Reported EPS of -3.07 missing estimates by -$1.27. Pre-market: 36.00 -1.79 (-4.74%)

PetSmart (PETM): Reported EPS of $1.28 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 68.60 +0.94 (1.39%)

Smith & Wesson (SWHC): Reported EPS of $0.35 beating estimates by +$0.06. Pre-market: 13.00 +1.20 (10.17%)

Markets: 
Futures at 7:58: Dow +0.10%. S&P +0.15%. Nasdaq +0.17%. Crude -0.31% to $103.01. Gold -0.16% to $1336.00. U.S. 10 Year -3/32 to 2.709%.

Europe: London -0.49%. Paris -0.09%. Frankfurt -0.15%. 

Asia: Japan +1.20% to 14898. Hong Kong -0.34% to 22580. China -0.89% to 2053. India +0.32% to 21277. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #FinancialPlanning #EarningReports #AnalystsRatings

Russian Aggression Drives Down World Markets

Russian Aggression Drives Down World Markets. Markets around the world are lower today after Russian troops continue their military aggression against Ukraine. Military analysts say that Russian President Putin has little to fear as President Obama’s foreign policy of leading from behind had little effect in Egypt, Syria and Iran. Additionally, if the U.S. does not act in a very strong manner analysts say that China, North Korea and Iran will be emboldened to continue to act aggressively to their neighbors. Just prior to the Ukrainian invasion, Russian warships also docked in Cuba 50 miles of the coast of Florida. Some are now saying the move was a warning to Obama not to interfere in Ukraine. Russia's stock market has plunged and the country's central bank raised interest rates from 5.5% to 7%. The USD-RUB was +1.3% at 36.4489 rubles.

Upgrades:

AFLAC (AFL): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 63.76 -0.32 (-0.50%)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 116.44 +0.66 (0.57%)

ConoccoPhillips (COP): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 66.01 -0.49 (-0.74%)

Intuit (INTU): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $75.00 to $94.00. Pre-market: 78.15 0.00 (0.00%)

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 91.15 -0.97 (-1.05%)

Microsoft (MSFT): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 37.87 -0.44 (-1.15%)

National Oilwell Varco (NOV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 76.45 -0.59 (-0.77%)

Nokia (NOK): Canaccord raised their rating from Hold to Buy and raised their target price from $8.00 to $10.00. Pre-market: 7.53 -0.05 (-0.66%)

Southwest Airlines (LUV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Hold to Accumulate.

Travelers Cos (TRV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Downgrades:

Autodesk (ADSK): Citigroup lowered their rating from Neutral to Sell and maintained their target price of $36.00. Pre-market: 51.30 -1.18 (-2.25%)

Brinker International (EAT): Miller Tabak lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 54.45 -0.55 (-1.00%)

Infosys (INFY): RW Baird lowered their rating from Outperform to Neutral and maintained their target price of $66.00. Pre-market: 60.66 -1.01 (-1.64%)

NII Holdings (NIHD): Gabelli lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 1.22 +0.07 (6.09%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:44: Dow -0.85%. S&P -1.01%. Nasdaq -0.99%. Crude +2.04% to $104.67. Gold +1.88% to $1346.40. U.S. 10 Year +7/32 to 2.623%.

Europe: London -1.70%. Paris -2.30%. Frankfurt -2.93%. 

Asia: Japan -1.27% to 14652. Hong Kong -1.47% to 22501. China +0.92% to 2075, India -0.82% to 20947. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #FinancialPlanning #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports #Ukraine #Crimea #RussianInvasion 

Actavis to Buy Forest Labs

Actavis to Buy Forest Labs. Generic drug maker Actavis PLC (ACT) will buy Forest Labs (FRX) for approximately $25 billion in cash and stock. Actavis will pay $89.48 per share, representing a premium of 25% to Forest's closing price on Friday. The offer comprises $26.04 in cash and 0.3306 Actavis share for every Forest share. Actavis said the deal should increase its profits by double-digit percentages in 2015 and 2016, including about $1 billion in tax and operating savings.

Upgrades:

Abbott (ABT): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Allstate (ALL): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B): First Call raised their rating from Buy to Strong Buy.

Blackberry (BBRY): FBR Capital raised their rating from Underperform to Market Perform and raised their target price from $6.75 to $10.00. Pre-market: 9.38 +0.40 (4.45%)

Express Scripts (ESRX): Monness Crespi raised their rating from Neutral to Buy. Pre-market: 76.99 +0.24 (0.31%)

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG): First Call raised their rating from Hold to Buy.

J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM): Stephens raised their rating from Equal Weight to Overweight and raised their target price from $110.00 to $115.00. Pre-market: 92.07 +0.26 (0.28%)

Kraft (KRFT): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Mosaic (MOS): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Praxair (PX): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Total SA (TOT): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Waste Management (WM): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 42.40 -1.27 (-2.91%)

Downgrades:

Hormel (HRL): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Intel (INTC): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Microsoft (MSFT): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce. Pre-market: 37.58 -0.04 (-0.11%)

Coverage Initiated:

Allscripts Healthcare (MDRX): Citigroup initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $18.00.

Credit Suisse (CS): Jefferies initiated coverage with a Buy rating. Pre-market: 32.07 +0.62 (1.97%)

Deutsche Bank (DB): Jefferies initiated coverage with a Buy rating. Pre-market: 49.27 +0.35 (0.72%)

UBS (UBS): Jefferies initiated coverage with a Hold rating. Pre-market: 20.97 +0.13 (0.62%)

Earning Reports:

Coca-Cola (KO): Reported EPS of $0.46 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 38.10 -0.83 (-2.13%)

Diana Shipping (DSX): Reported EPS of -$0.12 missing estimates by -$0.06. Pre-market: 11.90 -0.79 (-6.23%)

Duke Energy (DUK): Reported EPS of $1.00 beating estimates by +$0.05. Pre-market: 71.45 0.00 (0.00%)

Genuine Parts (GPC): Reported EPS of $0.97 beating estimates by +$0.04.

Medtronic (MDT): Reported EPS of $0.91 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 57.00 +0.12 (0.21%)

Waste Management (WM): Reported EPS of $0.56 missing estimates by -$0.04. Pre-market: 42.40 -1.27 (-2.91%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:34: Dow +0.09%. S&P +0.03%. Nasdaq +0.09%. Crude +0.90% to $101.20. Gold -0.02% to $1318.50. U.S. 10 Year +5/32 to 2.732%.

Europe: London +0.33%. Paris -0.25%. Frankfurt -0.06%. 

Asia: Japan +3.13% to 14843. Hong Kong +0.23% to 22588. China -0.77% to 2119. India +0.83% to 20634. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #PreMarket #WealthManagement #FinancialPlanning #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports

Foster Wheeler to Be Acquired. Foster Wheeler (FWLT) will be acquired by U.K. engineering company Amec (AMCBF) for £1.9B ($3.13B) in cash and stock. Foster shareholders will receive 23% in Amec which will seek a U.S. listing. The company said in a statement that the transaction will position Amec "to serve across the whole oil and gas value chain," and that, "adding mid and downstream capabilities to Amec's existing upstream focus and bringing new customer relationships."

Upgrades:

Broadcom (BRCM): B. Riley raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $29.00 to $37.00. Pre-market: 29.05 +0.14 (0.48%)

Carnival (CCL): SunTrust raised their rating from Reduce to Neutral.

Jacobs Engineering (JEC): UBS raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $60.00 to $75.00.

Macys’ (M): Macquarie raised their rating from Neutral to Outperform.

Visa (V): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $212.00 to $265.00.

Downgrades:

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce. Pre-market: 114.80 -0.17 (-0.15%)

Canadian Imperial Bank (CM): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Hold to Reduce.

Charles Schwab (SCHW): CLSA lowered their rating from Outperform to Underperform.

Mattel (MAT): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Accumulate to Hold.

Oceaneering Intl (OII): ISI Group lowered their rating from Strong Buy to Neutral.

Ryder Systems (R): ResearchTeam lowered their rating from Accumulate to Hold.

SAP AG (SAP): Pacific Crest lowered their rating from Outperform to Market Perform. Pre-market: 83.07 -0.47 (-0.56%)

Symantec (SYMC): Morgan Stanley lowered their rating from Equal Weight to Underweight and placed a target price of $21.00 on the company. Pre-market: 22.95 -0.52 (-2.22%)

Transocean (RIG): ISI Group lowered their rating from Neutral to Cautious. Pre-market: 48.48 -0.05 (-0.10%)

Coverage Initiated:

Ford Motor Co (F): ISI Group initiated coverage with a Strong Buy rating and target price of $22.00. Pre-market: 16.34 +0.27 (1.68%)

General Motors (GM): ISI Group initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $45.00. Pre-market: 40.30 +0.27 (0.67%)

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): Atlantic Equities initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and target price of $36.00.

IBM (IBM): Atlantic Equities initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $195.00.

Markets: 
Futures at 6:20: Dow -0.1%. S&P -0.3%. Nasdaq -0.3%. Crude -0.7%to $92.11. Gold -0.1% to $1245.60. 

Europe: London 0.0%. Paris +0.1%. Frankfurt +0.2%. 

Asia: Japan +0.2% to 15912. Hong Kong +0.2% to 22889. China -0.2% to 2010. India +1.8% to 21134. 

#RLPaler #WallStreet #PreMarket #WealthManagement #EarningReports #AnalystsRatings