With shares of Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) trading around $170, is GS an OUTPERFORM, WAIT AND SEE, or STAY AWAY? Let�� analyze the stock with the relevant sections of our CHEAT SHEET investing framework:
T = Trends for a Stock’s MovementGoldman Sachs is engaged in investment banking, securities, and investment management. It provides a range of financial services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments, and high net worth individuals. The company operates in four segments: investment banking, institutional client services, investing and lending, and investment management. Through its segments, Goldman Sachs provides valuable investment services to consumers and companies worldwide.
Goldman Sachs lowered shares of RWE AG (NASDAQ:RWEOY) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report released.�The company has also modified their ratings on a number of other stocks in the few days. The firm upgraded shares of IAMGOLD Corp. from a sell rating to a neutral rating. Also, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on shares of MarkWest Energy Partners. They issued a buy rating on that stock. Finally, Goldman Sachs initiated coverage on shares of DCP Midstream Partners, LP. They issued a buy rating on that stock.
Best Japanese Companies To Buy For 2015: Employers Holdings Inc (EIG)
Employers Holdings, Inc. (EHI), incorporated on March 9, 2005, is a holding company. The Company is a provider of workers compensation insurance focused on select small businesses in low to medium hazard industries. It employs a disciplined, conservative underwriting approach designed to individually select specific types of businesses, predominantly those in the lowest four of the seven workers' compensation insurance industry defined hazard groups, that it believe will have fewer and less costly claims relative to other businesses in the same hazard groups. Workers' compensation is provided for under a statutory system wherein employers are required to provide coverage for their employees' medical, disability, vocational rehabilitation, and/or death benefit costs for work-related injuries or illnesses. It operates as a single reportable segment and conduct operations in 31 states and the District of Columbia, with a concentration in California, where over one-half of its business is generated.
Workers' compensation provides insurance coverage for the statutorily prescribed benefits that employers are required to provide to their employees who may be injured or suffer illness in the course of employment. The level of benefits varies by state, the nature and severity of the injury or disease, and the wages of the injured worker. Each state has a statutory, regulatory, and adjudicatory system that sets the amount of wage replacement to be paid, determines the level of medical care required to be provided, establishes the degree of permanent impairment, and specifies the options in selecting healthcare providers. These state laws generally require two types of benefits for injured employees: medical benefits, including expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of an injury, disease, or both, as well as any required rehabilitation and (indemnity payments, which consists of temporary wage replacement, permanent disability payments, and death benefits to surviving family members.
Disciplined Underwriting
The Company focuses on disciplined underwriting and continues to pursue profitable growth opportunities across market cycles. It carefully monitor market trends to assess new business opportunities that it expects will meet its pricing and risk standards. It prices its policies based on the specific risks associated with each potential insured rather than solely on the industry class in which a potential insured is classified. Its disciplined underwriting approach is a critical element of its culture and its believe that it has allowed them to offer competitive prices, diversify its risks, and out-perform the industry.
It executes its underwriting processes through automated systems and experienced underwriters with specific knowledge of local markets. It has developed automated underwriting templates for specific classes of business that produce faster quotes when certain underwriting criteria are met. Its underwriting guidelines consider many factors, such as type of business, nature of operations, and risk exposures, and are designed to minimize or prevent underwriting of certain undesirable classes of business.
Loss Control
Its loss control professionals provide consultation to policyholders to assist them in preventing losses and containing costs once claims occur. They also assist its underwriting personnel in evaluating potential and current policyholders and are an important part of its underwriting discipline.
Premium Audit
It conducts premium audits on substantially all of its policyholders annually upon the policy expiration. Premium audits allow them to comply with applicable state and reporting bureau requirements and to verify that policyholders have accurately reported their payroll and employee job classifications. It also selectively perform interim audits on certain classes of business or if unusual claims are filed or concerns are raised regarding projected annual payrolls, whi! ch could ! result in substantial variances at final audit.
Claims and Medical Case Management
The role of its claims department is to actively and efficiently investigate, evaluate, and pay claims, and to aid injured workers in returning to work in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It has implemented rigorous claims guidelines and control procedures in its claims units and have claims operations throughout the markets it serves. It also provides medical case management services for those claims that it determines will benefit from such involvement. utilize medical provider networks affiliated with Anthem Blue Cross of California (Anthem) and Coventry Health Care, Inc. and make every appropriate effort to direct injured workers into these networks for medical treatments.
In addition to its medical networks, it work closely with local vendors, including attorneys, medical professionals, and investigators, to bring local to its reported claims. It pays special attention to reducing costs and have established discounting arrangements with the aforementioned service providers. It uses preferred provider organizations, bill review services, and utilization management to closely monitor medical costs. It actively pursues fraud and subrogation recoveries to mitigate claims costs. Subrogation rights are based upon state and federal laws, as well as the insurance policies it issues. Its fraud and subrogation efforts are handled through dedicated units.
The Company competes with The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Travelers Insurance Group Holdings, Inc., Zurich Insurance Group Ltd., and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Roberto Pedone]
Employers Holdings (EIG) is a provider of worker's compensation insurance focused on select small businesses engaged in low to medium hazard industries. This stock closed up 2.9% at $28.48 in Thursday's trading session.
Thursday's Volume: 252,000
Three-Month Average Volume: 119,789
Volume % Change: 75%From a technical perspective, EIG jumped notably higher here right above its 50-day moving average of $26.48 with above-average volume. This stock has been uptrending strong for the last five months, with shares soaring higher from its low of $21.03 to its recent high of $29.12. During that move, shares of EIG have been making mostly higher lows and higher highs, which is bullish technical price action. That move has now pushed shares of EIG within range of triggering a near-term breakout trade. That trade will hit if EIG manages to take out its 52-week high at $29.18 with high volume.
Traders should now look for long-biased trades in EIG as long as it's trending above Thursday's low of $27.65 or above its 50-day at $26.48 and then once it sustains a move or close above its 52-week high at $29.18 with volume that's near or above 119,789 shares. If that breakout hits soon, then EIG will set up to enter new 52-week-high territory, which is bullish technical price action. Some possible upside targets off that breakout are $33 to $35.
Top 5 Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG)
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (Gallagher), along with its subsidiaries, provides insurance brokerage and third-party claims settlement, and administration services to entities in the United States and abroad. It operates in three segments: brokerage, risk management and corporate. The Brokerage segment primarily consists of retail and wholesale insurance brokerage operations. The Company�� risk management segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises that choose to self-insure some or all of their property/casualty coverages and for insurance companies that choose to outsource some or all of their property/casualty claims departments. Majority of its international brokerage operations are in Australia, Bermuda, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its international risk management operations are principally in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Company operates in Australia and Canada primarily as a retail commercial property and casualty broker. In December 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of Barmore Insurance Agency, Inc. In December 2013, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired McIntyre Risk Management, LLC. In December 2013, the Company acquired Cleaveland Insurance Group and Jenkins and Associates. Effective December 26, 2013, Arthur J Gallagher & Co acquired Rock Island-based Cleaveland Insurance Group. In February 2014, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co acquired Benefit Development Group of Selma, Alabama. In February 2014, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co announced the acquisition of Kent, Kent & Tingle in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Brokerage Segment
The Company�� retail brokerage operations negotiate and place property/casualty, employer-provided health and welfare insurance and retirement solutions principally for middle-market commercial, industrial, public entity, religious and not-for-profit entities. Many of the Company�� retail brokerage customers choose to place their insurance with insurance ! underwriters, while others choose to use alternative vehicles, such as self-insurance pools, risk retention groups or captive insurance companies. Its wholesale brokerage operations assist its brokers and other unaffiliated brokers and agents in the placement of specialized, and hard-to-place insurance programs.
The Company�� primary sources of compensation for its retail brokerage services are commissions paid by insurance carriers. It operates its brokerage operations through a network of more than 300 sales and service offices located throughout the United States and in 16 other countries. In addition, the Company offers client-service capabilities in more than 110 countries worldwide through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. The Company�� retail brokerage operations place all lines of commercial property/casualty and health and welfare insurance coverage. Its retail brokerage operations are organized in more than 190 geographical centers located in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom and operate within certain key niche/practice groups, which account for approximately 67% of its retail brokerage revenues.
During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company�� wholesale insurance brokerage operations accounted for 22% of its brokerage segment revenues. Its wholesale brokers assist its retail brokers and other non-affiliated brokers in the placement of specialized and hard-to-place insurance. These brokers operate through over 65 geographical centers located across the United States, Bermuda and through its approved Lloyd�� of London brokerage operation. In certain cases, it acts as a brokerage wholesaler, and in other cases, it acts as a managing general agent or managing general underwriter distributing specialized insurance coverages for insurance carriers. Over 75% of the Company�� wholesale brokerage revenues come from non-affiliated brokerage customers.
Risk Management Segment
The Company�� ! risk mana! gement segment provides contract claim settlement and administration services for enterprises that choose to self-insure some or all of their property/casualty coverages and for insurance companies that choose to outsource some or all of their property/casualty claims departments. During 2011, approximately 67% of its risk management segment�� revenues were from workers compensation related claims, 26% were from general and commercial auto liability related claims and 7% were from property related claims. In addition, it generate revenues from integrated disability management (employee absence management) programs, information services, risk control consulting (loss control) services and appraisal services, either individually or in combination with arising claims. The Company manages its third-party claims adjusting operations through a network of approximately 110 offices located throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The Company competes with Aon Corporation, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., Willis Group Holdings, Ltd., Wells Fargo Insurance Services, Inc., Brown & Brown Inc., Hub International Ltd., Lockton Companies, Inc., USI Holdings Corporation, Aon Hewitt, Towers Watson & Co., Crump Group, Inc., CRC Insurance Services, Inc., RT Specialty, AmWINS Group, Inc., Swett & Crawford Group, Inc., Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc., Crawford & Company, ACE Limited, AIG Insurance and Zurich Insurance.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Levisohn]
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Ameren Corp. (AEE)
Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG)
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Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD)
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H&R Block (HRB)
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Kraft Foods Group (KRFT)
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Magellan Midstream Partners LP (MMP)
MarkWest Energy Partners L P (MWE)
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NextEra Energy (NEE)
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TELUS Corp. (TU)
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Williams Companies (WMB) - [By Marc Bastow]
Insurance brokerage and third-party claims settlement claims company Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) raised its quarterly dividend 3% to 36 cents per share, payable on Mar. 20 to shareholders of record as of Mar. 4.
AJG Dividend Yield: 3.00%
Top 5 Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: General Growth Properties Inc (GGC)
General Growth Properties, Inc. (GGP), incorporated on July 1, 2010, is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company owns or with joint venture partners 144 regional malls (126 domestic and 18 in Brazil) consists of approximately 135 million square feet. The Company is engaged in ownership, operation, management and selective re-development of its Consolidated Properties and Unconsolidated Properties, which are primarily regional malls.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company's segment was consists of 126 regional malls in the United States and 18 malls in Brazil, eight strip centers totaling 1.6 million square feet, primarily in the Western region of the United States, as well as seven stand-alone office buildings totaling 0.9 million square feet, concentrated in Columbia, Maryland. The Company also own interests in regional malls in Brazil.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Holly LaFon]
His largest new buys in the first quarter are: Penn Virginia Group Holdings LP (PVG), Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN), Methanex Corp. (MEOH), Solutia Inc. (SOA) and Georgia Gulf (GGC). Of his top eight stocks, five are from the chemicals industry.
Top 5 Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: STAG Industrial Inc (STAG)
STAG Industrial, Inc., incorporated on July 21, 2010, is an integrated, full-service real estate company focused on the acquisition, ownership and management of single-tenant industrial properties throughout the United States. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned 172 properties in 31 states with approximately 29.4 million rentable square feet, consisting of 112 warehouse/distribution properties, 39 light manufacturing properties and 21 flex/office properties. As of December 31, 2012, its properties were 95.1% leased to 156 tenants, with no single tenant accounting for more than 2.7% of its total annualized rent and no single industry accounting for more than 10.7% of its total annualized rent. In January 2014, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of six buildings, consisting of two light manufacturing facilities and four warehouse and distribution facilities.
Its ability to re-lease space subject to expiring leases will impact its results of operations and is affected by economic and competitive conditions in its markets and by the desirability of its individual properties. As of December 31, 2012, it had approximately 1.4 million rentable square feet of available space in its properties. For the year ended December 31, 2012, it has achieved an 84% tenant retention rate for those tenants whose leases were scheduled to expire in 2012.Its rental expenses generally consist of utilities, real estate taxes, management fees, insurance and site repair and maintenance costs. For the majority of its tenants, its rental expenses are controlled, in part, by the triple net provisions in tenant leases. In its triple net leases, the tenant is responsible for all aspects of and costs related to the property and its operation during the lease term, including utilities, taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. Real estate investments are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The cost of real estate includes the purchase price of the property and lease! hold improvements. Total revenue consists primarily of rental income from its properties, lease termination fees, tenant reimbursements for insurance, real estate taxes and certain other expenses, and asset management fees. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31 2011, there were two and three vacant properties, respectively, owned by STAG Investments III, LLC (Fund III) and not contributed to the Company in the Formation Transactions (the Option Properties).
The Company evaluates the carrying value of all tangible and intangible real estate assets held for use for possible impairment when an event or change in circumstance has occurred that indicates their carrying value may not be recoverable. STAG Investments IV, LLC and STAG GI Investments, LLC (which are certain of the Participants and are referred to as part of the STAG Contribution Group), contributed 100% of their real estate entities and operations in exchange for 7,320,610 Common Units. On April 18, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement with affiliates of Columbus Nova Real Estate Acquisition Group, Inc. (Columbus Nova) to source sale leaseback transactions for potential acquisitions by the Company. On June 15, 2012, the Company acquired six industrial properties representing approximately 750,000 square feet in total for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $30.0 million directly from Columbus Nova. At the June 15, 2012 acquisition of these six industrial properties, the Company paid Columbus Nova an acquisition fee in the form of 15,789 Common Units. On December 22, 2011, the Company sold a vacant flex/office property located in Amesbury, MA containing approximately 78,000 net rentable square feet. On April 20, 2012, the Company sold a vacant warehouse and distribution facility located in Youngstown, OH containing 153,708 net rentable square feet. On November 30, 2012, the Company sold the Great Bend, KS building.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Marc Bastow]
Single-tenent industrial properties real estate investment trust (REIT) Stag Industrial (STAG) raised its annual dividend 5% to $1.26 per share. The first monthly payment is payable on Feb. 17 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 31.
STAG Dividend Yield: 6.4%
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