CHICAGO, April 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include The Blackstone Group LP (NYSE:BX), Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (NYSE:KKR), Affiliated Managers Group Inc. (NYSE:AMG), AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE:AB) and Platinum Underwriters Holdings Limited (NYSE:PTP).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:
Market Hits All-Time Highs: Just a Mirage?
On Apr 10, 2013, the S&P 500 index reached its all-time high of 1589.07 breaking its previous record intra-day high of 1576.09 on Oct 11, 2007. Its market capitalization has also swelled from just $5.9 trillion in 2009 to nearly $14.0 trillion. Close on the heels of the S&P 500 ascendancy, almost all the major indices except the Nasdaq Composite have hit record highs.
Although the S&P 500 index is regarded as the more accurate measure of the U.S. stock market and the economy as a whole, the spurt in indices across the board apparently signifies that the recovery from recession is complete and the economy is on its way up. Is that so? Before going further with the argument of whether the economic recovery is a mirage, let us look into the possible factors that have propelled the indices.
Favorable Stress Test Results
The stress test results, as revealed by the Federal Reserve in early March, showed that 17 of the top 18 banks in the country had the requisite wherewithal to withstand a crisis, simulated by severe conditions such as an unemployment rate of 12.1%, housing price decline of 20%, share price fall of 50%, and an aggregate loss of $462 billion in the banking system. The results signified a marked improvement in the liquidity of banks and denoted that the economy was relatively stronger than it was four years back when it was plagued by recession.
As part of the study, the Fed analyzed loan- and account-level data of over two-thirds of the $4.2 trillion held in accrual loans and leases by these banks. These included data from 350 million domestic retail loans, including credit cards and mortgages, and more than 200,000 commercial loans.
Furthermore, the stress tests evaluated the banking system horizontally, rather than taking each bank in isolation. Consequently, it provided reliable information on the resilience of the banks, thereby signifying a relatively steady economy.
Rise in Home Prices
The latest data from the January report divulged that although home prices are yet to reach the pre-recession peaks, they have risen the fastest since 2006. The 10-city composite climbed 7.3% in the trailing 12-month period, while the 20-city index escalated 8.1% as all cities posted gains on a yearly basis.
Falling Unemployment
The U.S. job market was also supposedly improving as according to the latest U.S. job report, unemployment rate decreased to 7.6% in March from 7.7% in February with about 88,000 jobs added in the market. Although the job additions were significantly lesser than expected, the more talked-about point in the report was the drop in the unemployment rate, which apparently appears positive and augurs well for the economy that is limping back to normalcy from the wounds of a deep recession.
The Critical Analysis
However, a critical analysis would reveal that the dip in the unemployment was primarily attributable to 500,000 Americans dropping out of the labor force, which dragged the labor participation rate (the percentage of the population within the demographic age of 16 and over in the labor force) to a 34-year low of 63.3%.
Since reaching its zenith at 67.3% in 2000, the labor participation rate has declined over the years as discouraged and frustrated Americans left the job market only to return when conditions briefly improved. However, the gradual retirement of an aging Baby Boomer population and a recession in late 2007 has continuously pegged back the labor participation rate.
Although a smaller pool of workers looking for jobs are likely to get them easily, it restricts potential economic growth of a country and consequently is not a healthy sign for the U.S. economy.
A housing recovery would also do wonders for the U.S. economy that was plunged into one of the worst recessions ever witnessed by the country by a subprime crisis primarily led by a housing bubble. However, a deeper analysis would suggest that the surge in housing prices was the fallout of bulk buying by institutional buyers.
With a substantial amount of dry powder in their kitty, institutional buyers are making a beeline to mop-up assets in distressed sales. Listed investment and capital management firm such as The Blackstone Group LP (NYSE:BX) as well as hedge funds and private real estate investment firms like Colony Capital and GI Partners are amassing a huge portfolio of single-family homes. Blackstone has already spent over $3.5 billion for more than 16,000 single-family homes and is reportedly spending about $100 million a week to further increase the tally.
These institutional buyers typically have a profit-based approach and their investment model is based on piling a huge pool of real estate assets, which are then rented out to generate a fixed monthly income with the homes serving as collaterals.
The biggest question left to ask therefore is – Would this benefit the common man and the economy as a whole? Or is this just a ploy of the rich to be super-rich? What also remains to be seen are whether other asset management firms such as Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (NYSE:KKR), Affiliated Managers Group Inc. (NYSE:AMG), and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE:AB), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), jump on the bandwagon.
Furthermore, although stress test results were apparently positive, it had inherent drawbacks and was not entirely trustworthy. The full specification of the model used for evaluation of the stress tests is not disclosed to the banks, making industry experts skeptical of the authenticity of the tests.
Critics have alleged that fudged data were used to project a shadow economic recovery and the true picture was not revealed to continue receiving government bail-outs to avert a rerun of an asset bubble.
To add to the woes, the U.S. runs the risk of a debt default and a possible reduction in credit rating when it reaches its debt ceiling on May 19. The U.S. government voted on legislation in January this year to raise the debt ceiling for three months as a short-term fix to delay a debt default. Sovereign rating of the U.S. was earlier downgraded in Aug 2011 from AAA to AA+ due to a burgeoning debt burden and lack of concrete fiscal consolidation plan.
Ever since then, the government has periodically increased the debt ceiling to avert further downgrade. The government also avoided a fiscal cliff by staving off widespread tax increases and deep spending cuts by accepting a brokered Senate compromise, which otherwise would have plunged the economy into a double-dip recession with unemployment back in the 9% range.
The Epilogue
Platinum Underwriters Upped to Strong Buy
On Apr 9, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Platinum Underwriters Holdings Limited (NYSE:PTP) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Why the Upgrade?
Platinum Underwriters reported a net income of $327.2 million 2012, rebounding from a loss of $224.1 million in 2011. In addition, combined ratio also improved significantly in 2012. Results largely benefited from strong reserve releases and realized gains as well as moderate catastrophe losses.
The year-to-date return for the stock came in at 22.21%, way above the S&P 500 return of 11.33%.
Platinum Underwriters continues to increase shareholders' value through dividend payouts and share repurchases. In 2012, the company deployed $115.7 million to repurchase 3.1 million shares. It also paid quarterly cash dividends of 8 cents in 2012. Additionally, due to the absence of any significant catastrophe event in the first quarter, the company's underwriting performance is expected to deliver better results.
Platinum Underwriters is scheduled to release its first-quarter 2013 earnings results on Apr 17. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter is currently pegged at $1.16 increasing 17.5% over the last 60 days and reflecting a year-over-year improvement of 30.71%.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article