DailyFinance

Paulson Predicts U.S. Will Recover 'Every Penny' of Bank Bailout Cash

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-09T22:30:00Z

In a one-on-one conversation with billionaire Warren Buffett on Tuesday, former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson defended the government bank-bailout program and the other policies put in place to keep the U.S. financial system from collapsing. "We will get every penny we put into the banks back and with a profit," he said . Paulson (pictured, right) also called for Congress to enact real financial regulatory reforms that would allow a special authority to wind down any troubled financial institution without using taxpayer-funded bailouts.

Continue reading Paulson Predicts U.S. Will Recover 'Every Penny' of Bank Bailout Cash

Paulson Predicts U.S. Will Recover 'Every Penny' of Bank Bailout Cash originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:30:00.

Filed Under: People, Berkshire Hathaway

The Wages of Recession: Average 2010 Raises Will Barely Cover Inflation

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-09T20:10:00Z

Salaried employees hoping their 2010 annual raise will provide some relief as they attempt to recover from the worst economic downturn in 80 years are likely to be disappointed: Raises for U.S. workers may barely keep pace with inflation this year.

Continue reading The Wages of Recession: Average 2010 Raises Will Barely Cover Inflation

The Wages of Recession: Average 2010 Raises Will Barely Cover Inflation originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:10:00.

Filed Under: Economy

Parsing the Mixed Signals in January's Employment Report

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-05T21:40:00Z

Although the U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly dropped to 9.7% in January from 10% in December, the mixed signals generated from the accompanying data are likely to continue through the first quarter, as large employers continue to influence job statistics based on their ability or unwillingness to hire full-time workers.

Continue reading Parsing the Mixed Signals in January's Employment Report

Parsing the Mixed Signals in January's Employment Report originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:40:00.

Filed Under: Economy

Just How Risky Is MetLife's Bid for AIG's ALICO Unit?

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-05T19:30:00Z

MetLife's (MET) shares got knocked down nearly 4% on Wednesday, thanks to a Standard & Poor's credit warning, and they're still fighting to shake off the negative affects. S&P is concerned about MetLife's potential acquisition of the American Life Insurance Co. (ALICO) unit of bailed-out insurer AIG. However, upgrades of the stock on Thursday and Friday from two investment banking firms that seem to endorse the deal may highlight a difference of opinion in the investment community about the acceptable level of risk involved in the insurance giant's proposed merger.

Continue reading Just How Risky Is MetLife's Bid for AIG's ALICO Unit?

Just How Risky Is MetLife's Bid for AIG's ALICO Unit? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:30:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Insurance, MetLife

As Layoffs Continue, What's Really Going On With Jobs?

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-04T13:58:00Z

Entering February, a mixed picture on employment has developed that's making it difficult to determine whether employers are ready to begin hiring workers or are continuing to put the brakes on a recovery that has already begun.

Continue reading As Layoffs Continue, What's Really Going On With Jobs?

As Layoffs Continue, What's Really Going On With Jobs? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:58:00.

Filed Under: Economy

Western Union Stock Falls on Declining Profit, Disappointing Outlook

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-03T17:40:00Z

Money transfer giant Western Union (WU) reported a 6.6% profit decline from a year ago, but its uninspired outlook for 2010 scared investors most, sending its stock price down more than 9.5% in early morning trading.

The company reported a profit of $223.7 million or 32 cents a share and revenues of $1.31 billion for the fourth quarter of 2009. A year earlier, the company posted a profit of $239.6 million, or 34 cents a share, on revenues of $1.29 billion. Operating margins declined to 24.2% from 25.9% last year, largely because of two acquisitions.

Continue reading Western Union Stock Falls on Declining Profit, Disappointing Outlook

Western Union Stock Falls on Declining Profit, Disappointing Outlook originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:40:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Earnings

Earnings Preview: Western Union Results Riding on Margins, 2010 Guidance

Matthew Scott — 2010-02-02T20:55:00Z

Expect Western Union (WU), the global leader in consumer money transfers, to report 4Q 2009 results at or slightly above expectations on Wednesday, maintaining its dominant position in the industry, but with profit margins declining. What will probably be more important to investors is the guidance for 2010 that the company delivers, as a number of industry challenges that affect the company's growth have presented themselves.

Continue reading Earnings Preview: Western Union Results Riding on Margins, 2010 Guidance

Earnings Preview: Western Union Results Riding on Margins, 2010 Guidance originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:55:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Earnings

Rising Corporate Debt Could Bankrupt Firms, Crash Market by 2013

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-30T14:05:00Z

Wall Street's love of leverage is threatening to turn around and bite it in the assets, as many companies find their issuance of debt could potentially become their undoing. Massive amounts of corporate debt issued between 2003 and 2007 will come due over the next four years, and companies' inability to refinance their debt will leave them stuck with high interest payments, dragging down corporate earnings and forcing some companies into bankruptcy.

Continue reading Rising Corporate Debt Could Bankrupt Firms, Crash Market by 2013

Rising Corporate Debt Could Bankrupt Firms, Crash Market by 2013 originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sat, 30 Jan 2010 09:05:00.

Filed Under: Economy, Investing, Credit

In Integrating Sun, Oracle Bets Big on a New Sales Strategy

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-29T18:15:00Z

At first it seemed like bad timing. Oracle (ORCL) CEO Larry Ellison found his company going virtually head-to-head with Apple (AAPL) CEO Steve Jobs in dueling webcasts announcing major tech news on Jan. 27. It was no contest: Apple's iPad launch party easily overshadowed Oracle's get-together to highlight the completion of its $7.4 billion acquisition of Sun Microsystems -- so much so, that it appeared as if Oracle had made a rare publicity blunder. But maybe not.

Continue reading In Integrating Sun, Oracle Bets Big on a New Sales Strategy

In Integrating Sun, Oracle Bets Big on a New Sales Strategy originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:15:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Technology, Investing

Hedge Funds Staged Big Comeback in 2009

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-28T14:00:00Z

Coming off its worst calendar year loss in history, the hedge-fund industry enjoyed a strong comeback in 2009, as three separate indexes that track hedge-fund performance recorded gains of 18% or more. That didn't stop hedge funds from losing $131 billion through investor redemptions in reaction to the financial meltdown that began in 2008. But the money that remained was apparently put to good use, as a rally in the equity markets and more aggressive investment strategies produced the second best year for hedge funds in the last decade.

Continue reading Hedge Funds Staged Big Comeback in 2009

Hedge Funds Staged Big Comeback in 2009 originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:00:00.

Filed Under: Investing

Real Estate Mogul Predicts Big Apple Market Will Rebound First

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-27T18:10:00Z

New York City's real estate market will recover ahead of other areas of the country, perhaps by the end of the year, predicts Manhattan real estate mogul Elie Hirschfeld. The president of Hirschfeld Properties, who owns more than 1,000 apartments and in excess of 1 million square feet of commercial space in the metropolitan area, says most of New York's overbuilt office space inventory will finally be absorbed in 2010. What's more, he expects more distressed properties will become available through deals or foreclosure sales. Furthermore, developers will have the opportunity to begin repositioning themselves as land, construction and renovation costs drop to more reasonable levels.

Continue reading Real Estate Mogul Predicts Big Apple Market Will Rebound First

Real Estate Mogul Predicts Big Apple Market Will Rebound First originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:10:00.

Filed Under: People, Investing, Real Estate

Dow's Third Straight Triple-Digit Loss Signals Correction in the Works

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-22T22:50:00Z

The Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered a third straight triple-digit setback on Friday as investors struggled to reposition their portfolios after a weeks' worth of negative news. Analysts suggest a minor market correction that could spill over into next week may be in motion.

Continue reading Dow's Third Straight Triple-Digit Loss Signals Correction in the Works

Dow's Third Straight Triple-Digit Loss Signals Correction in the Works originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:50:00.

Filed Under: Investing, Earnings, Google , Alcoa, American Express, Bank of America, McDonald's

Investors Jittery over Obama Bank Rules Flee Stocks

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-21T23:00:00Z

The Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered a second straight day of triple-digit losses as investors reacted with trepidation to President Barack Obama's initial proposal to reform financial institutions. On the heels of Wednesday's news that China is reining in bank lending, Obama proposed new rules to restrict the nation's largest banks from making high-risk trades.

Continue reading Investors Jittery over Obama Bank Rules Flee Stocks

Investors Jittery over Obama Bank Rules Flee Stocks originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:00:00.

Filed Under: Economy, Investing, Xerox, Starbucks

Market's Teeter-Tottering Suggests Investors Are Overreacting to News

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-20T22:50:00Z

After marching more than 115 points higher on Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial average fell more than 122 points in Wednesday's market sell-off, prompting some analysts to suggest investors may over-reacting to financial news.

Continue reading Market's Teeter-Tottering Suggests Investors Are Overreacting to News

Market's Teeter-Tottering Suggests Investors Are Overreacting to News originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:50:00.

Filed Under: Economy, Investing, Bank of America

Record Revenues, Fee Income Boosts U.S. Bancorp

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-20T17:15:00Z

U.S. Bancorp (USB) reported fourth quarter profits 82% better than last year, powered by record revenue growth of $4.4 billion for the quarter. Expansion of its asset base through acquisitions and the growth of fee-related businesses, including merchant banking services were the keys to its success, but credit losses, while decreasing, continue to be a drag on earnings.

Continue reading Record Revenues, Fee Income Boosts U.S. Bancorp

Record Revenues, Fee Income Boosts U.S. Bancorp originally appeared on DailyFinance on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:15:00.

Filed Under: Earnings

Buying Spree Key to US Bancorp Earnings Strength

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-20T01:30:00Z

Expect US Bancorp (USB) to come in right at or slightly below Wall Street estimates of 29 cent per share. The sixth largest U.S. commercial bank is reaping the benefits of acquisitions made possible by the failure of 140 U.S. banks during the recent banking crisis. The bank was able to take advantage of the favorable terms the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. offered to have failed bank assets taken off its hands.

Continue reading Buying Spree Key to US Bancorp Earnings Strength

Buying Spree Key to US Bancorp Earnings Strength originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:30:00.

Filed Under: Earnings

TD Ameritrade's Profit Falls; Cites Fewer Trades, Low Interest Rates

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-19T16:50:00Z

TD Ameritrade (AMTD) reported earnings below expectations on Tuesday, largely due to declining trade income and a low interest rate environment.

Continue reading TD Ameritrade's Profit Falls; Cites Fewer Trades, Low Interest Rates

TD Ameritrade's Profit Falls; Cites Fewer Trades, Low Interest Rates originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:50:00.

Filed Under: Investing, Earnings, Smucker

Discount Brokerages Push Savings Products to Investors

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-16T19:30:00Z

Apparently the number one New Year's resolution for discount brokerage firms this year is building assets.

Trying to rebound from an economic environment that had many investors sitting on the sidelines or pulling money out of stocks, Charles Schwab (SCHW), TD Ameritrade (AMTD) and ING Direct began pushing saving campaigns to their clients last week.

Continue reading Discount Brokerages Push Savings Products to Investors

Discount Brokerages Push Savings Products to Investors originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 14:30:00.

Filed Under: Investing, Charles Schwab

E*Trade Ads Deliver a Bouncing New Talking Baby

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-15T19:06:00Z

How's this for getting too big for your britches? The lovable talking baby featured in ads from E*Trade Financial (ETFC), who has more than 12,000 fans on Facebook and 3,000 followers on Twitter, has literally outgrown his position and will be replaced by a new baby in ads that debut this weekend.

Continue reading E*Trade Ads Deliver a Bouncing New Talking Baby

E*Trade Ads Deliver a Bouncing New Talking Baby originally appeared on DailyFinance on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:06:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Media

Intel to Break Down Earnings: Expect Breakout Numbers

Matthew Scott — 2010-01-14T11:00:00Z

Intel Corp. (INTC) will release its fourth-quarter earnings in a new format on Thursday, clearly showing how it restructured itself to remain competitive during the challenging economic environment of the recession. The new structure, which breaks out the company's performance in key market segments, also sends a message to Wall Street, showing how the world's leading chipmaker's business model has been successful and has positioned it for profitability in upcoming quarters.

Continue reading Intel to Break Down Earnings: Expect Breakout Numbers

Intel to Break Down Earnings: Expect Breakout Numbers originally appeared on DailyFinance on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:00:00.

Filed Under: Technology, Investing, Earnings, Intel