CHICAGO, June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG- Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and U.S. Steel Company (NYSE:X- Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on the Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS - Free Report), Julius Baer Group Ltd. (OTC:JBAXY- Free Report) and Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC - Free Report).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day:
Although the stock market has been pretty sluggish lately, there are a few corners that are still holding up rather well. One such sector that is leading the market is undoubtedly financials, as these have taken a leadership role, and are seeing fresh capital from those following a sector rotation strategy.
In particular, the insurance segment has been doing quite well, as it is a relatively low beta sector that has been able to perform well no matter what the broad market trends have been. While many investors may be focusing in on the giants in the industry, there are a few small cap securities which may be offering more compelling values at this time, such as the Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG- Free Report).
Hanover Insurance Group is based in the great city of Worcester, Massachusetts and is in the property and casualty segment of the insurance industry. The firm has four segments; commercial, personal, Chaucer (think boats, planes, etc.) and a broad other property and casualty division.
THG is pretty spread out among these businesses, though the Chaucer division, in the most recent quarter, contributed the most in terms of operating income before income taxes. It is also worth noting that for the most recent quarter, income before income taxes saw good growth while the premiums taken in also represented a decent level of growth in terms of year-over-year figures.
Bear of the Day:
Although the U.S. economy has seen some decent figures on the industrial production front, many investors remain lukewarm at best about the materials sector. Part of the reason for this is because many other markets—such as China and Europe—are still facing extremely sluggish conditions, which is curtailing demand for a variety of materials.
This trend has been especially apparent in the steel market, as a number of key producers have found it to be incredibly difficult to grow earnings or even revenues in this lethargic environment. In particular, this gloomy situation has been terrible news for the once-giant U.S. Steel Company (NYSE:X- Free Report).
U.S. Steel is still the country's largest domestically owned integrated steel producer, though its glory days have since long past. Now, the company is a mere shell of its former self, struggling to remain profitable in the face of extreme levels of foreign competition.
This terrible trend is especially apparent when investors look at the earnings estimate picture for the company. Estimates have fallen like a stone for all time periods we follow, with the consensus now projecting a full year loss for U.S. Steel of about $1.31/share.
This represents an incredible slide, as just two months ago the consensus was at (a positive) 99 cents/share. Current quarter figures are equally depressing; the consensus from two months ago was at $0.41/share, while the current figure comes in at -$0.79/share.
Additional content:
Credit Suisse to Divest German Unit
Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS - Free Report) is considering the sale of a part of its German wealth management unit to reduce expenses in its onshore businesses in Western Europe. The strategic sale is part of the bank's efforts to reorganize its business by developing core businesses and downsizing troubled units.
After combining its private bank with its asset management wing last year, Credit Suisse has been consistently striving to improve its market position in the intensely competitive European market. Management expects such measures to drive the company toward its desired performances.
The aforementioned sale is a part of the Swiss bank's strategy to achieve CHF1.9 billion in cost reduction by the end of 2015. A major chunk of these expense savings, totaling CHF750 million, will be from the private banking unit.
Currently, many global banks are struggling to reduce costs amid the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. Among others, Credit Suisse is resorting to extensive restructuring measures to address low profitability. Notably, the bank faced huge headwinds in the private banking segment in 2012, with a declining margin caused by decreased client activity.
To mitigate these headwinds, in Nov, 2012, the company announced 300 job cuts in the bank's retail and private banking divisions in Switzerland starting Jan 2013.
Similar Action by Other Banks
Given a pressured operating environment, lower returns and stringent capital norms, many Swiss banks are rightsizing their businesses. In Sep, 2012, as part of its integration process and cost reduction efforts, Julius Baer Group Ltd. (OTC:JBAXY- Free Report) announced 30%–40% reduction in workforce at its recently acquired foreign wealth management division of Merrill Lynch − a unit of Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC - Free Report).
Get today's Zacks #1 Stock of the Day with your free subscription to Profit from the Pros newsletter:
About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
About the Analyst Blog
Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous analyst coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Click here to subscribe to this free newsletter today.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.
Get the full Report on THG - FREE
Get the full Report on X - FREE
Get the full Report on CS - FREE
Get the full Report on JBAXY - FREE
Get the full Report on BAC - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
Zacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.