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The article reports that financial services firms Bank of America and Citigroup continue to tradebank shares below their book value.

The article discusses Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The share prices of both firms have neared lows not seen since 1995. Some expect they will attempt to raise up to $10 million apiece in new capital by selling additional stock, thus diluting existing shareholders. However, Caroline Cai of Pzena Investment Management LLC is among those who believe the firms could obtain capital without selling shares.

The authors express concerns that small investors may start to buy financial stocks whose prices are trading well below their book value. The article discusses how Bank of America bought Countrywide Financial for $4 billion, a price equal to a third of its book value. The deal between Bank of America and Countrywide Financial is believed to be relatively sound, but the authors are concerned that other investors may follow it.

The article reports on the potential impact of the transformation of stock exchanges into stocks themselves. It is suggested that 2006 will be an important year for the exchange stocks since more exchanges will have highly priced stock to use for purchasing competitors. It may be necessary for exchanges with weaker technology to sell to the stronger firms. Market share could be boosted and savings produced through such mergers and these benefits could be passed along to investors. A key player is the New York Stock Exchange, which has just purchased the electronic trading firm Archipelago Holdings Inc.

Reports that Parmalat SpA will re-emerge on the Milan, Italy stock exchange less than two years after collapsing in Europe's biggest-ever case of corporate fraud. When a government-appointed administrator took control of the company; Potential awards Parmalat could receive from lawsuits filed against its former bankers and auditors, which will help investors better evaluate the companies' value; Details of the company's restructuring plan, which is expected to be approved by an Italian court and the company's creditors; Estimates of the company's value. INSET: Longer Shelf Life.

The article presents the author's views regarding the valuation and stock prices of U.S. banks including Citigroup and J.P. Morgan Chase, with a focus on the price to tangible book value of Citigroup.

The article comments on the change in the strategic plan of Bank of America chief executive officer Brian Moynihan as it decides to issue 400 million shares of common stock in 2011.

The article discusses the list sent by Bank of America (BofA) to the Federal Reserve that contains the potential measures it could take should its situation worsen in the U.S., which includes the idea of a tracking stock for Merrill Lynch.

The article argues that the failure of the Bank of America to acquire more equity has affected its shareholders in a negative way when the value of its stock was reduced by as much as 22 per cent in August 2011.

The article reports on the possibility that the U.S. Federal Reserve will not help enhance the trends in stock trading in the country since doing so can threaten the performance of longer-dated government bonds in 2011.

The article comments on the move of investors to consider cash investments due to the threats to the international stocks market posed by the debt crisis experienced in the U.S. and European countries in August 2011.

The author emphasizes the need for Goldman Sachs Group to address the disparity between its returns and compensation to boost the performance of its stock.

The article reports on the stock trading gains of the U.S. pension funds as of July 2011.

The article offers insights into the profitability of and investment opportunity in firms with financial stock warrants in the U.S.

The article reveals the declining financial performance of Morgan Stanley and its decision to convert 7.8 billion dollars worth of preferred stock held by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group into common equity.

The article reports that federal regulators in the U.S. may not allow Goldman Sachs to buy the shares of Warren Buffet, further affecting investors and dividends.

The article reports on the performance of Citigroup's stocks on January 18, 2011.

This article looks at the impact of financial services legislation on financial stocks in the U.S.

The author comments on the decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve to cut lending rates. He states that investors are right to bid up stocks when Fed's decision revived the economy. He mentions that home sales and refinancing activity would improve due to likely easing of mortgage rates because of Fed's actions. He believes that any firming of credit markets could provide investors enough confidence to venture out from Treasurys and bank accounts.

The author reflects on the financial stocks cycle wherein falling share prices make it difficult to raise capital, increasing concerns that firms will be unable to address financial problems, and leading to further share-price declines. Such decline increases the possibility of credit rating downgrades. Among the stocks affected by the cycle are Lehman Brothers Holdings and American International Group. He asserts that it will take time before investors can confidently assess the value of bank and brokerage-firm balance sheets.

The author reflects on the U.S. government's move to strengthen Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He says that government action will be temporary and the enthusiasm for the bailout plan could wane. When government support facilities expire after 2009, no one knows what the firms will be like. In politics, anything is possible and one has to ask holders of Fannie's and Freddie's preferred and common stock, the author concludes.

The author warns company chief executive officers (CEO) in following leads to buying stocks. He cites that according to studies from Gradient Analytics, the third and fourth quarter of 2007 recorded executives and directors buying more stock in their companies than at any other time since 2002, unable to mark a bear-market bottom. He suggests for the executives to base their buying and selling of stocks from past incidents. He believes that executives should pay less attention when insiders are cashing in their chips.

The author emphasizes the need for the U.S. mortgage company Freddie Mac to bolster its equity in 2008. He notes that the firm and chief executive officer (CEO) Richard Syron concentrate on measures of regulatory capital. He cites the plan of the company to raise a capital worth $5.5 billion. He adds that the reserve for losses in mortgage portfolio of Freddie Mac was increased by $2.8 billion.

The article focuses on the implication of the purchase of Countrywide Financial by the Bank of America to investors in the housing market. It mentions that the relief rally of financial stocks was hindered by poor existing home sales as investors continue to lack confidence in the sector. It notes that the acquisition reflect that big losses could still be found among banks. It discusses how the net worth of Countrywide Financial was valued at $100 million.

The author examines whether the common equity in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will have any value left once the housing crisis in the U.S. is done. He says the best worst-case scenario would be that large capital raises in which millions of new common shares are issued, diluting the holdings of existing shareholders. He notes that investors have to consider any actions the U.S. government takes to protect Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

The article offers information on stocks whose prices appear to be battered yet are not cheap. It notes that such stocks may serve as traps for investors wanting to invest in such stocks. They include the stocks of casino operator Las Vegas Sands Corp., online diamond and jewelry retailer Blue Nile Inc. and electronic commerce and interactive marketing firm GSI Commerce Inc.

The article looks at possible options of Merrill Lynch & Co. in the wake of what is expected to be a fourth consecutive quarterly loss in June 2008. It cites that the concern that the company could be compelled to raise additional capital has affected its stocks in recent weeks. It adds that the most obvious alternative would be a sale of common stock, if another capital increase is considered. It notes that Merrill could also seek to offer more preferred stock for sale.

The article discusses the financial state of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. as of June 4, 2008. It states that due to its falling stocks, investors consider Lehman as the latest company weighing on financial stocks. The financial problems, it adds, can compel the firm to issue a big amount of equity, sell a part, or all of it to a larger financial company. A full discussion on the challenges facing the firm is provided.

The article reports on the aftermath of the critique by David Einhorn, manager of hedge fund Greenlight Capital, against the stocks of Lehman Brothers Holdings, leading to its shares falling by 2.7%. Einhorn questioned the values Lehman has put on many of its financial assets that led investors to doubt the 2008 first quarter $489 million profit it announced. Einhorn also took issue with unrealized gains the company booked in the first quarter that marked up equity positions but did not trade in public markets.

The article focuses on Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. which is being viewed by some investors as a cheap way to bet on any eventual markets recovery after its shares recovered on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in April 2008. The stock of the company rose approximately 6 percent to close at $46.38. Lehman accumulated about $1.6 billion in pretax gains due to changes in hard-to-value equity assets and the value of its own debt. Chief financial officer (CFO) Erin Callan attributed low earnings to the challenging markets.

The article reports that Citigroup Inc. revealed that traders in its investment bank garnered daily losses of more than $100 million on 15 separate occasions in 2007. The said transactions fueled speculations that the bank's problems may be greater than those that resulted in the estimated $20 billion mortgage-related writedowns in 2007, the ouster of its chief executive, and falling stock prices. The firm also disclosed the disastrous transactions in its annual report filed on February 22, 2008.

The article reports that Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. is exploring the possibility of making a bid for London Stock Exchange PLC.

The article reports on the efforts of shareholders in European exchange operators Euronext NV and Deutsche Börse AG to urge the companies to restart talks aimed at a merger that would create a stock- and derivatives-trading powerhouse in 2006.

Reports on the increase in the shares of dairy company Parmalat SpA as of October 7, 2005.

Reports on the concerns of investors on the performance of the stocks of automobile companies as of August 2, 2005.

Provides information on foreign-based mutual funds that are pushing to scale back a U.S. rule restricting the purchase of shares in American initial public offerings.

Reports on the performance of the world stock markets as of June 6, 2005.

Presents an update on the performance of world stock markets, including the Nikkei Stock Average in Tokyo, Japan, as of May 16, 2005.

Reports the market performance of stocks worldwide as of May 10, 2005.

Reports on the performance of small and mid-capitalization stocks from around the world in October 2004.

Presents updates on global stock markets as of October 19, 2004, including the impact of an investigation into industry practices by New York State attorney general Eliot Spitzer on European insurers.

Reports on the performance of construction stocks and other stocks in Europe as of September 7, 2004.

Presents updates on stocks trading on stock exchanges around the world as of June 19, 2003, including the increased trading on European markets.

Presents an update on the stock markets around the world as of April 9, 2003.

Presents updates on stocks trading on stock exchanges around the world as of March 18, 2003.