The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo

News provided by

Dec 09, 2011, 11:00 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

BofA Strives to Pass Stress Test

At the time when many of the large financial institutions are seeking to increase dividends, Bank of America Corporation (NYSE: BAC) is not in the mood to do so. On Tuesday, while addressing an investor conference, BofA CEO Brian Moynihan stated that the company will not seek approval for dividend hike until it is sure of the Federal Reserve's clearance.

At present, BofA is paying 1 cent per share as quarterly cash dividend. However, prior to the latest financial crisis, the company used to pay quarterly dividend of 32 cents. Earlier this year, the company was denied permission to increase dividend by the Fed.

Last month, the Fed had announced that 31 banks (with $50 billion or more as assets) will have to endure another round of stress tests in the upcoming weeks to prove their financial strength to confront another recession. In addition to BofA, big U.S. banks such as Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), and Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) will have an even higher stumbling block to clear as they have significant exposure to the stressed European countries — Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain – known as the PIIGS.

The Fed had also stated that only those companies that successfully confirm their core capital to remain above 5% of risk-weighted assets under the stressful scenarios will be given permission to hike dividend. BofA will be submitting its capital plan in January 2012 for the fourth round of stress tests.

Since 2010, BofA has been trying to soar up its capital levels through the sale of its non-core assets and businesses. Furthermore, the company has also begun trimming its workforce in order to lower its operating expenses by $5 billion through the end of 2014.

The chief aim of the stress test is to demonstrate that banks have adequate capital to address potential losses over the next two years under several stressful scenarios. Consequently, passing the stress test is more important to BofA than getting permission for a dividend hike.

If BofA fails the test, it will have to take extra initiatives to raise new capital to meet the requirements. This will obviously not be good for the company as it has been suffering from lower revenues and higher operating expenses.

Currently, BofA retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

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 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. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which 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 at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.