Financial Companies Launch Commodity Index Trust, Announce New Appointments and Release Quarterly Results - Research Report on BlackRock, State Street, Assured Guaranty, Unum, and FNF

NEW YORK, August 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), State Street Corp. (NYSE: STT), Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE: AGO), Unum Group (NYSE: UNM), and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FNF). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

BlackRock, Inc. Research Report

On August 9, 2013, BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) announced that its iShares Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) business has launched the iShares Dow Jones-UBS Roll Select Commodity Index Trust on the NYSA Arca, with the ticker symbol, CMDT. Commenting on the launch, Ravi Goutam, Head of Americas Product for iShares at BlackRock said, "Many investors look to commodities to diversify beyond stocks and bonds, but when investing in commodity funds that typically hold futures contracts, the buying and selling of contracts can detract from fund performance. By using an innovative index the iShares Dow Jones-UBS Roll Select Commodity Index Trust seeks to minimize the costs of changing or 'rolling' futures contracts, enabling the Trust to ultimately provide investors efficient access to diversified commodities." The Full Research Report on BlackRock, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/c3a9_BLK]

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State Street Corp. Research Report

On August 5, 2013, State Street Global Advisors (SSgA), the investment management business of State Street Corp., announced the appointment of Louis de Montpellier as the Global Head of SSgA's Official Institutions Group (OIG). The Company informed that at the end of September 2013, De Montpellier will join SSgA succeeding John Nugée who will retire at the end of October 2013. Commenting on the appointment, Michael Karpik, Head of SSgA for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) said, "I am extremely excited at this appointment and the contribution Louis will bring to SSgA's official institution business.  His experience and knowledge will play an important role in helping us deliver relevant investment solutions for our clients and in sustaining our leading position in this important market segment." The Full Research Report on State Street Corp. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/1926_STT]

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Assured Guaranty Ltd. Research Report

On August 8, 2013, Assured Guaranty Ltd. (Assured Guaranty) released its financial results for Q2 2013. On a GAAP basis, the Company's total revenues were down 38.4% YoY to $465 million during the quarter. GAAP Net income was $219 million or $1.16 per diluted share, lower compared to $377 million or $2.01 per diluted share in Q2 2012. Dominic Frederico, President and CEO of Assured Guaranty commented, "We are optimistic about our prospects in a higher interest rate environment and as the market gets to know our new, 100% U.S. municipal insurance platform, Municipal Assurance Corp. We also look forward to growth in our international business, where we closed two important UK infrastructure transactions in July." The Full Research Report on Assured Guaranty Ltd. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/4b75_AGO]

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Unum Group Research Report

On August 5, 2013, Unum Group (Unum) reported its Q2 2013 financial results. Total revenue was down 0.6% YoY to $2.6 billion during the quarter. Net income for Q2 2013 was $218.6 million or $0.82 per diluted share, slightly higher as compared to net income of $216.4 million or $0.76 per diluted share in Q2 2012. Commenting on the results, Thomas R. Watjen, President and CEO of Unum said, "While sales growth continues to be a challenge in the US, we remain committed to maintaining the pricing and underwriting discipline that has served us so well in the past. Although the environment is expected to gradually improve, it still remains challenging, and we will continue to take the actions necessary to maintain the momentum we have worked so hard to create at the Company." The Full Research Report on Unum Group - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/529c_UNM]

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Fidelity National Financial, Inc. Research Report

On August 5, 2013, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (FNF) released its financial results for Q2 2013. Total revenue was up 32.0% YoY to $2.3 billion during the quarter. Net earnings attributable to common shareholders were $139 million or $0.61 per diluted share, compared to $147 million or $0.65 per diluted share in Q2 2012. Cash flow from operations came in at $253 million during the quarter, compared to $238 million in Q2 2012. Commenting on the results, CEO George P. Scanlon, said, "In the second quarter, our residential purchase orders opened grew by 11% versus the second quarter of 2012 and closed purchase orders increased by 13% over the prior year. In July 2013, residential purchase orders opened increased by 17% and closed purchase orders grew by 22% versus July 2012. Our commercial title insurance business continues to perform well, generating 9% revenue growth over a strong second quarter of 2012." The Full Research Report on Fidelity National Financial, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/2ee1_FNF]

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