Top 5 Regional Bank Companies To Watch For 2014

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB  ) has released its first-quarter earnings, and overall things look pretty good for the large regional bank. It earned $1.43 billion, or $0.73 per share, right in line with analysts' expectations. Nevertheless, shares have been down as much as 2.6% this morning, prompting a deeper look into that earnings release. Here are three reasons investors may not be that pleased with the big Minnesota-based bank.

1. Net revenue
While net income increased by 6.7% from the same quarter last year, the same cannot be said about the top line. For the quarter, U.S. Bancorp recorded total net revenue of $4.9 billion. This was a 4.7% decline from the fourth quarter and a 1.1% decline from the same quarter last year.�

Noninterest income, which we'll cover in depth shortly, was primarily to blame. It was down 7% from the fourth quarter, and 3.3% from the same quarter last year, primarily because of lower mortgage banking revenues, as well as seasonally lower payments-related revenue.

Top 10 Quality Stocks To Buy For 2015: AG Mortgage Investment Trust Inc (MITT)

AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc., incorporated on March 1, 2011, is a real estate investment trust (REIT)focused on investing in, acquiring and managing a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage assets, other real estate-related securities and financial assets, which it refers to as its target assets. The Company is externally managed and advised by AG REIT Management, LLC.

The Company has invested in residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), for which a United States government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), or a federally-chartered corporation, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), guarantees payments of principal and interest on the securities. Its Agency RMBS investments include mortgage pass-through securities and may include collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). Its non-Agency RMBS investments may include fixed-and floating-rate securities, including investment grade and non-investment grade.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Tim Melvin]

  Shares of AG Mortgage Investment Trust (MITT) are down more than 25% so far this year, but CEO David Roberts thinks the REIT will turn the corner sometime soon. He just spend more than $1.1 million to buy shares in the firm after dropping $800,000 back in August buying shares at a slightly higher price. The firm is advised by a subsidiary of Angelo Gordon, the large distressed securities, real estate and private-equity firm.

Top 5 Regional Bank Companies To Watch For 2014: Cardinal Financial Corporation(CFNL)

Cardinal Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Cardinal Bank that provides banking products and services to commercial and retail customers in Virginia and greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. It primarily engages in accepting deposits and originating loans. The company?s deposit products include commercial and retail checking accounts, money market accounts, individual retirement accounts, regular interest-bearing savings accounts, and certificates of deposits. Its lending portfolio comprises commercial and industrial loans, commercial mortgage loans, residential mortgage loans, construction loans, home equity lines of credit, and consumer loans. The company also offers courier, telephone and Internet banking, and automatic teller machine services, as well as traveler?s checks, coin counters, wire services, and safe deposit box services. In addition, Cardinal Financial Corporation, through its other subsidiaries, involves in the origination an d acquisition of residential mortgages for sale into the secondary market in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region, as well as provides a construction-to-permanent loan program; offers retail securities brokerage and asset management services; and provides trust, estate, custody, investment management, and retirement planning services. It operates 26 banking offices. Cardinal Financial Corporation was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in McLean, Virginia.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  Bank holding company Cardinal Financial (CFNL) raised its quarterly dividend 33% to 8 cents per share, payable on Feb. 24 to shareholders of record as of Feb. 6.
  CFNL Dividend Yield: 1.88%

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Cardinal Financial (CFNL) has gained 5.8% to $17.47 after it was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform by Keefe Bruyette & Woods.

  Weatherford International (WFT) has dropped 6.3% to $14.75 before the open of trading after it announced the departure of its CFO in an 8-K filing. Wells Fargo and Raymond James both cut Weatherford’s shares as a result of the change.

Top 5 Regional Bank Companies To Watch For 2014: LCY Chemical Corp (1704.TW)

LCY Chemical Corporation is principally engaged in the manufacture and distribution of polypropylene (PP), solvents and other chemical products. The Company provides methanol products, including methanol, formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde and dimethyl ether, among others; solvents, including ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol and methyl isobutyl ketone, as well as electronic chemical products, PP related products, thermoplastic rubber and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Its products are applied in the manufacture of resins, agricultural pesticides, catalysts, medicines, paintings, inks, artificial leather products, shoes, industrial products, electronic components, toys and electrical appliances, among others. On June 23, 2014, it acquired a certain shares of TECHNOLOGY CORP. After that, it holds 86.65% stake of LCY TECHNOLOGY CORP. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Anna Prior]

  Kraton Performance Polymers Inc.'s(KRA) board is no longer pushing for the company’s stockholders to approve its plans to combine with LCY Chemical Corp.'s(1704.TW) styrenic block copolymer operations.

Top 5 Regional Bank Companies To Watch For 2014: China Yuchai International Limited (CYD)

China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells diesel and natural gas engines primarily in the People�s Republic of China (PRC). It operates in two segments, Yuchai and HLGE. The company provides engines for light, medium, and heavy-duty for highway vehicles; generator sets; and marine and industrial applications, as well as supplies after-market parts and services. It also offers diesel power generators that are used in the construction and mining industries; diesel engine parts; and remanufacturing services. In addition, the company operates hotels and engages in property development activities primarily in the PRC and Malaysia. It distributes its products directly to auto plants and agents. The company was founded in 1951 and is based in Singapore.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Following the abrupt resignation of director and President Benny H. Goh on May 27, China Yuchai International (NYSE: CYD  ) has been operating with an interim officer, Kok Ho Leong,�who also held the position of CFO while a replacement was found.