Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014

David Goldman/AP WASHINGTON -- The number of Americans filing new claims for jobless benefits fell sharply last week and a gauge of factory activity hit an eight-month high in early November, hinting at some strength in the economy. Other data Thursday showed wholesale prices fell for a second straight month in October, the latest sign of a lack of inflation pressure which helps give the Federal Reserve leeway as it considers when to scale back its bond-buying stimulus. "Claims and manufacturing activity remain supportive for continued moderate economic growth in the fourth quarter," said Sam Bullard, a senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities (WFC) in Charlotte, N.C. Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 323,000, the Labor Department said. Economists had forecast a drop to just 335,000, and some cautioned that a public holiday last Monday could have contributed to some of the large decline. The department, however, said there were no special factors influencing the data, which covered the survey period for the government's report on employment in November. A four-week moving average meant to iron out week-to-week volatility fell 6,750 to 338,500. "There is no evidence of a pickup in layoffs and the latest report on claims should be seen as a neutral to slightly positive reading on payroll growth," said John Ryding, chief economist at RDQ Economics in New York. Factory Activity Up, Inflation Muted Separately, a survey of factory purchasing managers showed activity picking up. Financial data firm Markit said its preliminary U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index rose to an eight-month high of 54.3 from 51.8 in October. Respondents linked the rebound from a one-year low touched last month partly to the end of a partial government shutdown and a rise in demand from domestic and overseas customers. But the optimism over manufacturing was tempered somewhat by a regional factory survey showing a sharp slowdown in activity in the mid-Atlantic region in November. Some economists said this was likely a delayed reaction to last month's 16-day government shutdown. "The manufacturing data suggests there is still some momentum," said Jacob Oubina, senior U.S. economist at RBC Capital Markets in New York. "I think what you still need to see now is follow-through into job gains." The data helped lift stocks on Wall Street, while the dollar climbed to a 4½ month high against the yen and U.S. Treasury debt prices rose. The jobless claims and Markit factory data added to recent reports on nonfarm payrolls and retail sales that have suggested the economy is gaining momentum. Despite the improving growth picture, inflation remains virtually absent. The Labor Department said its producer price index slipped 0.2 percent last month as gasoline prices tumbled, the largest decline since April. Excluding volatile food and energy costs, producer prices rose 0.2 percent, boosted by the introduction of new motor vehicle models. Excluding cars and trucks, the core PPI was up only 0.1 percent. During the last 12 months, overall producer prices have risen just 0.3 percent, with core prices up 1.4 percent. The data follows a report on Wednesday that showed consumer price inflation easing to a four-year low of 1 percent. "With Europe still in a funk, and China struggling with recovery from a slowdown, there is no spark to get inflation rolling anytime soon," said Michael Montgomery, a U.S. economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Mass.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: Hongkong Land Holdings Limited (H78.SI)

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the investment, management, and development of real estate properties in greater China and southeast Asia. The company owns and manages approximately 5 million square feet of office and retail space in Central business district, Hong Kong. It also owns commercial investment property in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Macau. In addition, the company holds residential development property for sale in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Macau; and under development properties in Singapore and Mainland China. Further, it is involved in the hotel investment and property consultancy activities. The company was founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is a subsidiary of Jardine Strategic Holdings Limited.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: First Interstate BancSystem Inc.(FIBK)

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for First Interstate Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking services. Its deposit products include checking, savings, time, and demand deposits; and repurchase agreements primarily for commercial and municipal depositors. The company?s loan portfolio consists of a mix of real estate, consumer, commercial, agricultural, and other loans, including fixed and variable rate loans. Its real estate loans comprise commercial real estate, construction, residential, agricultural, and other real estate loans. The company also provides a range of trust, employee benefit, investment management, insurance, agency, and custodial services to individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. These services include the administration of estates and personal trusts; management of investment accounts for individuals, employee benefit plans, and charitable foundations; and insurance planning. It serves indi viduals, businesses, municipalities, and other entities in various industries, including energy, healthcare and professional services, education and governmental services, construction, mining, agriculture, retail and wholesale trade, and tourism. The company operates 72 banking offices in 42 communities located in Montana, Wyoming, and western South Dakota. First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Billings, Montana.

5 Best Clean Energy Stocks To Own Right Now: Ameritrans Capital Corporation(AMTC)

Ameritrans Capital Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in lending and investment activities. It makes loans to finance the acquisition and operation of small businesses, which have primarily been secured by real estate mortgages, senior corporate loans, life insurance settlements, and equity investments. Ameritrans Capital Corporation was founded in 1979 and is based in Jericho, New York.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: OmniAmerican Bancorp Inc.(OABC)

OmniAmerican Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for OmniAmerican Bank, which is a federally-chartered savings bank that provides banking services to consumers and businesses in Texas. The company involves in accepting deposits from the general public and investing those deposits together with funds generated from operations and borrowings in loans and investments. Its deposit products consist of savings accounts, interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts, and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan products include residential real estate loans, such as one-to-four-family and home equity loans; commercial loans consisting of real estate construction, commercial real estate, and commercial business loans; and consumer loans, which include direct automobile, indirect automobile, and unsecured loans. It operates through its main office in Fort Worth, Texas and 15 branches located in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and Hood County, Texas. The company was founded in 1956 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: Fulton Financial Corporation (FULT)

Fulton Financial Corporation operates as a multi-bank financial holding company that provides various banking and financial services to businesses and consumers. It offers various deposits, such as checking account and savings deposit products, certificates of deposits, and individual retirement accounts. The company also provides consumer lending products, including commercial and industrial, financial, agricultural, and real estate loans; secured consumer loan products comprising home equity loans and lines of credit; fixed and variable-rate products, including construction loans and jumbo loans; residential mortgages; and consumer loan products consisting of automobile loans, automobile and equipment leases, personal lines of credit, and checking account overdraft protection. In addition, it offers equipment leasing, letters of credit, cash management services, and traditional deposit products; and investment management, trust, brokerage, insurance, and investment advis ory services. Further, the company is involved in reinsuring credit life, and accident and health insurance; and sells various life insurance products. As of March 19, 2013, Fulton Financial Corporation operated 267 branches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Virginia. The company was founded in 1882 and is headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: Riverview Bancorp Inc(RVSB)

Riverview Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Riverview Community Bank that provides various banking products and services to commercial and retail customers in Washington and Oregon. Its deposit products include demand deposits, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, money market accounts, regular savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and retirement savings plans. The company also offers commercial loans; real estate mortgage loans; real estate construction loans; and consumer loans, such as one-to-four family mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, land loans to consumers for the future construction of one-to-four family homes, and other secured and unsecured consumer loans, as well as various installment loans, including loans for debt consolidation and other purposes, automobile loans, boat loans, and savings account loans. In addition, it originates mortgage loans for various mortgage companies; provides automated teller machines, debit cards , and Internet banking services; and asset management services, such as trust, estate planning, and investment management services. As of October 27, 2011, the company had 17 branches, including 12 in the Portland-Vancouver area and 3 lending centers. Riverview Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: North Central Bancshares Inc.(FFFD)

North Central Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Federal Savings Bank of Iowa that offers banking services in the central, north central, and southeastern parts of Iowa. The company offers various deposit products, including noninterest-bearing demand accounts, interest bearing accounts, savings accounts, money market savings, certificates of deposit, and individual retirement accounts. It also provides a loan portfolio of one-to-four family residential real estate loans, multifamily residential and commercial real estate loans, and construction and land development loans, as well as consumer loans, which consists primarily of one-to-four family second mortgage loans, including home equity lines of credit. In addition, the company offers real estate title abstracting services in Webster and Boone counties of Iowa. Further, it sells life insurance on mortgage loans, credit life and accident, and health insurance on consumer loans; and annuity product s, mutual funds, and other noninsured products. Additionally, the company engages in acquiring, developing, and managing low and moderate income housing for residents of the Fort Dodge area. It operates 10 branch offices in Fort Dodge, Nevada, Ames, Perry, Ankeny, Clive, West Des Moines, Burlington, and Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The company was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: CMS Bancorp Inc.(CMSB)

CMS Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Community Mutual Savings Bank, which provides various banking services to individuals and small businesses primarily in Westchester County and the neighboring areas in New York State. It offers various deposit products, including savings deposits consisting of passbook and statement savings accounts; interest- and non-interest-bearing demand accounts; money market accounts; and time deposits. The company also provides loan products comprising residential, commercial real estate, and consumer loans, as well as multi-family, non-residential, construction, home equity, and second mortgage loans. In addition, it invests in various assets, including securities of various government-sponsored enterprises and mortgage-backed securities. As of September 30, 2010, CMS Bancorp operated 1 corporate office in White Plains and 5 retail banking offices in Westchester County, New York. The company is headquartered in White Plains, New York.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: Mid-Wisconsin Finl Svcs Inc(MWFS.OB)

Mid-Wisconsin Financial Services, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Mid-Wisconsin Bank, a state-chartered bank that provides general commercial and retail banking services to individuals, businesses, and governmental units in Wisconsin. The company offers various deposit products, including interest bearing and non-interest bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, money market accounts, time deposits, individual retirement accounts, and certificates of deposit. It also provides a portfolio of commercial and consumer loans, including lines of credit, term loans, commercial real estate loans, agricultural financing, installment and other personal loans, and residential mortgage loans. In addition, the company offers ATM, merchant capture, cash management, express phone, and online banking services. Further, it provides wealth management services, such as fiduciary, administrative, and investment management services for personal trusts, estates, individuals, bus inesses, non-profits, and foundations for an asset-based fee. Additionally the company offers a range of retail investment and insurance products, including equities, bonds, fixed and variable annuities, mutual funds, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and brokered certificates of deposits. It operates 14 retail banking locations in Clark, Eau Claire, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties in north central Wisconsin. The company is headquartered in Medford, Wisconsin.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Buy For 2014: Saratoga Investment Corp(SAR)

Saratoga Investment Corp. is a business development company specializing in buyout, acquisition, growth, recapitalization, and note financing transactions of private middle market companies. It structures its investments as debt and equity by investing through first and second lien loans, mezzanine debt, select high yield bonds, senior secured bonds, unsecured bonds, and preferred and common equity. It seeks to invest in the United States. The firm primarily invests in companies having EBITDA between $5 million and $50 million. It invests through direct lending as well as participation in loan syndicates. The firm was formerly known as GSC Investment Corp. Saratoga Investment Corp. is based in New York, New York with an additional office in Florham Park, New Jersey.