Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now

tags:EHTH,MCBC,FIBK,EBSB,FBNC,WRB,TREE,IYF,PRA,PEB, Within hours of being sworn in last year, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at minimizing Obamacare's financial burden on the nation. It was his first attempt to dismantle his predecessor's landmark health reform law.

But it was certainly not his last. While Republicans in Congress failed repeatedly to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act in 2017, Trump did take some major steps to weaken it.

Here are some of the ways:

Limited support for open enrollment: The administration swiftly halted up to $5 million in Obamacare advertising in the final days ahead of the open enrollment deadline for 2017 coverage. A spokesman said at the time "We aren't going to continue spending millions of taxpayers' dollars promoting a failed government program."

Sign ups fell by half a million for last year.

The administration made even bigger changes to Obamacare's 2018 open enrollment season. It cut in half the time consumers had to sign up on the federal exchange, giving them only six weeks instead of three months. Officials also slashed the advertising budget by 90% and reduced federal support for counselors who help people navigate the enrollment process by more than 40%.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: eHealth Inc.(EHTH)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lisa Levin]

  Shares of eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) got a boost, shooting up 19 percent to $19.04 as the company posted upbeat Q1 results.

  SVB Financial Group (NASDAQ: SIVB) shares were also up, gaining 17 percent to $301.12 following strong quarterly results.

• [By Motley Fool Transcribers]

  EHealth Inc  (NASDAQ:EHTH)Q4 2018 Earnings Conference CallFeb. 21, 2019, 5:00 p.m. ET

  Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks:

  Operator

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  eHealth (NASDAQ:EHTH) had its price objective raised by SunTrust Banks to $75.00 in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning, The Fly reports. They currently have a buy rating on the financial services provider’s stock.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Macatawa Bank Corporation(MCBC)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Max Byerly]

  Chemical Financial (NASDAQ: CHFC) and Macatawa Bank (NASDAQ:MCBC) are both finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability and risk.

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB) and Macatawa Bank (NASDAQ:MCBC) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and dividends.

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  BidaskClub upgraded shares of Macatawa Bank (NASDAQ:MCBC) from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note released on Friday morning.

  Separately, Hovde Group set a $11.00 price target on Macatawa Bank and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Monday, January 29th.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: First Interstate BancSystem Inc.(FIBK)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  Sun Life Financial INC purchased a new position in shares of First Interstate Bancsystem Inc (NASDAQ:FIBK) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 9,814 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $414,000.

• [By Max Byerly]

  Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA lifted its stake in shares of First Interstate BancSystem (NASDAQ:FIBK) by 4.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 464,152 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 20,543 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA owned 0.82% of First Interstate BancSystem worth $18,357,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on First Interstate Bancsystem (FIBK)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Meridian Interstate Bancorp Inc.(EBSB)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Meridian Bancorp (EBSB)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Shane Hupp]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Meridian Bancorp (EBSB)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Shane Hupp]

  Meridian Bancorp (NASDAQ:EBSB) was upgraded by equities research analysts at BidaskClub from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report released on Saturday.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  BidaskClub upgraded shares of Meridian Bancorp (NASDAQ:EBSB) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: First Bancorp(FBNC)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FBNC)‘s stock had its “buy” rating reaffirmed by analysts at Brean Capital in a note issued to investors on Monday.

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FBNC) was upgraded by equities researchers at BidaskClub from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday.

• [By Shane Hupp]

  ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WARNING: “Intrust Bank NA Takes $240,000 Position in First Bancorp (FBNC)” was originally published by Ticker Report and is owned by of Ticker Report. If you are accessing this story on another domain, it was stolen and reposted in violation of US and international trademark & copyright laws. The original version of this story can be read at https://www.tickerreport.com/banking-finance/4163865/intrust-bank-na-takes-240000-position-in-first-bancorp-fbnc.html.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FBNC) CEO Richard H. Moore purchased 1,250 shares of First Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 19th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $39.79 per share, with a total value of $49,737.50. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 139,935 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,568,013.65. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Bank of New York Mellon Corp cut its stake in First Bancorp (NASDAQ:FBNC) by 2.5% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 193,183 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 4,992 shares during the quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned about 0.65% of First Bancorp worth $7,903,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: W.R. Berkley Corporation(WRB)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Standard Life Aberdeen plc increased its stake in shares of W. R. Berkley Corp (NYSE:WRB) by 56.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 15,374 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 5,555 shares during the period. Standard Life Aberdeen plc’s holdings in W. R. Berkley were worth $1,113,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

• [By Stephan Byrd]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on W. R. Berkley (WRB)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  W. R. Berkley Corp (NYSE:WRB) has received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the eleven brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $69.33.

• [By Max Byerly]

  Shares of W. R. Berkley Corp (NYSE:WRB) saw strong trading volume on Tuesday . 1,794,500 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 388% from the previous session’s volume of 367,847 shares.The stock last traded at $79.32 and had previously closed at $78.15.

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on W. R. Berkley (WRB)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Stephan Byrd]

  Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC cut its holdings in W. R. Berkley Corp (NYSE:WRB) by 6.4% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 61,225 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 4,153 shares during the quarter. Gilder Gagnon Howe & Co. LLC owned 0.05% of W. R. Berkley worth $4,433,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Tree.com Inc.(TREE)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  These are some of the media headlines that may have effected Accern’s rankings:

  Get LendingTree alerts: Zacks: Brokerages Expect LendingTree (TREE) to Post $1.24 EPS (americanbankingnews.com) Form 4/A LendingTree, Inc. For: Apr 12 Filed by: LEBDA DOUGLAS R (streetinsider.com) Form 4/A LendingTree, Inc. For: May 08 Filed by: LEBDA DOUGLAS R (streetinsider.com) LendingTree to acquire Ovation Credit for $20.75 million (wraltechwire.com) LendingTree to buy credit-service provider (mpamag.com)

  LendingTree opened at $271.05 on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The company has a market capitalization of $3.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 89.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.77. LendingTree has a 12-month low of $269.95 and a 12-month high of $278.10. The company has a current ratio of 3.33, a quick ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Gabelli Funds LLC trimmed its position in shares of LendingTree (NASDAQ:TREE) by 2.9% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 8,450 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 250 shares during the period. Gabelli Funds LLC’s holdings in LendingTree were worth $2,773,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on Lendingtree (TREE)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Those who invest in individual stocks like it when things are a little more interesting. When you look at that same decade, a few stand-out stocks have delivered life-changing returns. In particular, Lending Tree (NASDAQ:TREE), BofI Holding (NASDAQ:BOFI), and National Beverage (NASDAQ:FIZZ) have all helped investors turn initial $1,000 investments into holdings worth $21,000 or more since 2008. How did they do it? Read on to find out.

• [By Garrett Baldwin]

  Watch him become $1,050 richer in 15 seconds… $940 richer in 11 seconds… $1,260 richer in eight seconds… and $988 richer in seven seconds! To see how easily this extra cash adds up, go here…

  Stocks to Watch Today: TSLA, ETSY, CAT This morning, Swiss investment bank UBS Group AG (NYSE: UBS) announced a surprise downgrade for industrial machinery giant Caterpillar. Shares of CAT fell 3.5% after UBS flagged slowing construction demand around the world as a reason for the downgrade. The firm slashed its price target from $154 to $125. The new figure represents 8.3% downside from Tuesday morning's price. UBS expects that its EPS will fall by a whopping 8% year over year due to limited development in new construction and oil-and-gas projects. Shares of Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) slumped more than 3.5% after the SEC asked a judge to hold CEO Elon Musk in contempt of court. The SEC says that Musk violated his recent deal after promoting an inaccurate tweet about the company's production. The CEO said in a tweet that Tesla would produce "around" a half-million vehicles in 2019. However, four hours later, Musk clarified by saying that he "meant to say" that Tesla's annualized production rate by the end of the year could reach 500,000. The SEC says that Musk failed to seek or receive pre-approval for this tweet. The agency says that the inaccurate tweet reached more than 24 million people. Shares of Etsy Inc. (NASDAQ: ETSY) rallied more than 10% after the company topped Wall Street earnings expectations after the bell Monday. The e-commerce firm rang in EPS of $0.32 on top of $200 million in revenue. Both figures topped Wall Street expectations, which included EPS of $0.21 on top of $195 million in revenue. The firm reported a big jump in active buyers – 18.2% year over year – and a 9.4% jump in active sellers during the same period. Look for earnings reports from Cheniere Energy Inc. (NYSE: LNG), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc.

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Ishares Trust Dj Us Financial (IYF)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Todd Shriber, ETF Professor]

  The challenges facing EUFN may indicate the ETF will be challenged to deliver compelling risk-reward for investors. EUFN's three-year standard deviation is 18.23 percent, or more than 500 basis points above the same metric on the iShares U.S. Financials ETF (NYSE: IYF).

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: ProAssurance Corporation(PRA)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ethan Ryder]

  ProChain (CURRENCY:PRA) traded up 1.1% against the US dollar during the 1 day period ending at 12:00 PM ET on September 28th. ProChain has a total market cap of $5.06 million and $110,631.00 worth of ProChain was traded on exchanges in the last day. In the last seven days, ProChain has traded down 20% against the US dollar. One ProChain token can now be bought for approximately $0.10 or 0.00001535 BTC on popular exchanges including Bit-Z, FCoin, OKEx and Bibox.

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY raised its position in ProAssurance Co. (NYSE:PRA) by 1,039.5% in the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 17,297 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 15,779 shares during the period. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY’s holdings in ProAssurance were worth $613,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

• [By Shane Hupp]

  ProAssurance Co. (NYSE:PRA) – Equities research analysts at SunTrust Banks lowered their Q4 2018 earnings estimates for ProAssurance in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, February 5th. SunTrust Banks analyst M. Hughes now expects that the insurance provider will earn $0.17 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.33. SunTrust Banks has a “Hold” rating and a $45.00 price objective on the stock.

• [By Logan Wallace]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on ProAssurance (PRA)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

• [By Motley Fool Transcribers]

  ProAssurance Corp  (NYSE:PRA)Q4 2018 Earnings Conference CallFeb. 22, 2019, 9:30 a.m. ET

  Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks:

  Operator

• [By Stephan Byrd]

  Get a free copy of the Zacks research report on ProAssurance (PRA)

  For more information about research offerings from Zacks Investment Research, visit Zacks.com

Top 10 Financial Stocks To Invest In Right Now: Pebblebrook Hotel Trust(PEB)

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Max Byerly]

  Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB) has received a consensus rating of “Hold” from the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $36.19.

• [By Motley Fool Transcribers]

  Pebblebrook Hotel Trust  (NYSE:PEB)Q4 2018 Earnings Conference CallFeb. 26, 2019, 10:00 a.m. ET

  Contents: Prepared Remarks Questions and Answers Call Participants Prepared Remarks:

  Operator

• [By Joseph Griffin]

  These are some of the news stories that may have effected Accern’s analysis:

  Get Pebblebrook Hotel alerts: Pebblebrook Hotel (PEB) Expected to Post Quarterly Sales of $206.07 Million (americanbankingnews.com) Keep Company Secrets Safe With a Strong Publishing Process (cmswire.com) Analysts Anticipate Pebblebrook Hotel (PEB) to Post $0.73 Earnings Per Share (americanbankingnews.com) Pebblebrook Hotel Forecasted to Earn Q2 2018 Earnings of $0.72 Per Share (PEB) (americanbankingnews.com)

  A number of brokerages recently issued reports on PEB. Boenning Scattergood restated a “hold” rating on shares of Pebblebrook Hotel in a report on Monday, April 30th. Zacks Investment Research upgraded Pebblebrook Hotel from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $40.00 target price on the stock in a report on Wednesday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on Pebblebrook Hotel from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 1st. Finally, ValuEngine cut Pebblebrook Hotel from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, April 2nd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Pebblebrook Hotel presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $36.61.

• [By Shane Hupp]

  Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, September 17th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 28th will be given a dividend of 0.38 per share by the real estate investment trust on Monday, October 15th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 27th.