MS, BLK, and USB are among the stocks in the news today
Stock futures are trading above fair value amid the latest batch of corporate earnings reports. Among specific names in focus are financial firms
Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS),
BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), and
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB). Here's a quick roundup of the news that's moving shares of MS, BLK, and USB.
Morgan Stanley Stock Set to Jump After Earnings
MS stock seems set to buck its historically bearish post-earnings price performance, with the shares up 2.5% in electronic trading. The stock is reacting to
Morgan Stanley's first-quarter earnings report, which exceeded expectations on strong bond-trading revenue. The shares could certainly use a boost, considering they have shed 12.9% since hitting an eight-year high of $47.33 in early March, based on last night's close at $41.21. However, today's expected upside move could run out of steam near MS stock's year-to-date breakeven mark at $42.25. Analysts are split toward the bank stock, with eight maintaining a "strong buy," and eight issuing a "hold" or "strong sell" recommendation.
BlackRock Shares Point Lower After Revenue Miss
BLK earnings came in above the consensus estimate, though revenue fell just shy of the forecast. As such, BLK stock is trading down 0.1% ahead of the bell, after closing last night at $383.61. BlackRock, Inc. shares have been making a series of lower highs in recent weeks, paring their year-to-date advance to 0.8%. Nevertheless, Wall Street remains upbeat toward the financial stock. Seven of 11 analysts maintain a "buy" or better rating toward BLK stock -- with not a single "sell" on the books -- while a low 1% of its float is sold short.
U.S. Bancorp Stock Struggles for Direction Post-Earnings
USB reported better-than-expected first-quarter profit, though growth in the bank's loan portfolio slowed. While the stock had been trading up as much as 5% in electronic trading, it has since swung lower. A negative price move would mirror USB stock's recent technical trajectory, with the shares down 12% from their March 1 record high at $56.61 to trade at $49.80. USB options traders were optimistic ahead of earnings, though. At the International Securities Exchange (ISE), Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), and NASDAQ OMX PHLX (PHLX), U.S. Bancorp's 10-day call/put volume ratio of 1.61 ranks in the 86th annual percentile, meaning calls have been bought to open over puts at a quicker-than-usual clip.