U.S. TREASURIES: Prices Push Higher on Solid Auction -10-Year 2.723%

U.S. Treasury prices got a bounce on an impressive $21 billion reopened 10-year auction, which saw solid demand across all measures and sent the 10-year into the leader position to slip to the 2.717% yield. The high-yield came in at 2.729% when traders had been looking for a mid-range of 2.74%, indicating buyers were willing to take about one basis point less of a payout … Continue reading U.S. TREASURIES: Prices Push Higher on Solid Auction -10-Year 2.723%

Uncertain Times: Navigating the Wild World of Inflation

I always love to talk about personal finance with my friends and family. And as a wise man once told me 😉, “Personal finance is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get.” But recently, the same word keeps coming up repeatedly: “inflation”… A compelling fact is that my $100 bill from three years ago has now shrunk to more … Continue reading Uncertain Times: Navigating the Wild World of Inflation

Still-Weak European Paper Demand Weighed on UPM’s 1Q Results

Despite relatively steady performance from the energy and pulp segments, UPM’s quarterly EBITDA contracted 20% year over year; EBITDA from the paper business was nearly halved over the same period. As the world’s largest producer of graphic paper, UPM remains highly dependent on its paper business, where volume continues to decline–European magazine papers fell 6%, newsprint fell 3%, and fine papers fell 6%–and present significant … Continue reading Still-Weak European Paper Demand Weighed on UPM’s 1Q Results

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Crown Holdings Reports Concerning Quarterly Results

Crown Holdings reported third-quarter results that were broadly in line with our expectations, but we have increasing concerns about the profit potential of Crown’s operations in Asia-Pacific. For example, through the first nine months of the year, Asia-Pacific segment profit declined $2 million while sales increased $157 million compared with the first nine months of 2012. In recent years, the company has invested significant sums … Continue reading Crown Holdings Reports Concerning Quarterly Results

PNC Poised For Strong Third Quarter

PNC Financial Services Group reported net income of $1.1 billion, or $1.99 per diluted share, for second quarter 2013 compared with $1.0 billion or $1.76 per diluted share for first quarter 2013. There were some one-time items, including securities gains ($61 million), gains on sale of Visa V stock ($83 million), and lower loss provision due to the better than expected improvement in commercial credit … Continue reading PNC Poised For Strong Third Quarter

First-Quarter Earning Surge at Arch Capital

A benign quarter of weather-related catastrophe events as well as strong favorable reserve development provided a surge in first-quarter earnings at Arch Capital Group. Both primary and reinsurance lines reported favorable reserve development, but the reinsurance segment provided the bulk of it, reducing the combined ratio by 16 points to 79%. Favorable reserve development also helped the primary insurance combined ratio dip below 100%, resulting … Continue reading First-Quarter Earning Surge at Arch Capital