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☆ First Republic Bank shares drop as $30 bln rescue fails to reassure investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A person walks past a First Republic Bank branch in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mike SegarMarch 17 (Reuters) - Shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N) tumbled 13% in premarket trading on Friday as $30 billion in deposits injected by large U.S. banks failed to quell investor worries about the beleaguered lender. Shares of other U.S. mid-size banks including Western Alliance Bancorp shares (WAL.N) and PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) dropped 2% and 5%, respectively. First Republic was caught up in a widening banking crisis triggered by the collapse of two other mid-size U.S. lenders over the past week. The rescue package came less than a day after Swiss bank Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) clinched an emergency central bank loan of up to $54 billion to shore up its liquidity.

SummarySummary Companies First Republic Bank tumbles on suspending dividendFedEx jumps on full-year profit forecast raiseFutures mixed: Dow down 0.30%, S&P down 0.11%, Nasdaq up 0.10%March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were mixed on Friday as investors remained wary about a potential banking crisis despite the country's largest banks throwing troubled regional lender First Republic Bank a lifeline. Big U.S. banks were mixed, with JPMorgan and Citigroup (C.N) flat, while Wells Fargo (WFC.N) edged 0.1% higher. European Central Bank supervisors saw no contagion to euro zone banks from the recent market turmoil, a source said. Investors are now looking ahead to the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, due next week, to gauge how it will tame inflation amid a banking crisis. Money market participants now see an 83% chance of the Fed raising rates by 25 basis points on March 22.

☆ Futures waver as banking crisis worries persist
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Shares of First Republic Bank (FRC.N), however, fell 3.8% in premarket trading as the bank suspended its dividend payout. Concerns about a global banking crisis have dominated market sentiment this week after the collapse of SVB Financial (SIVB.O) and Signature Bank (SBNY.O). While the focus remains on the health of the banking sector, investors also looked ahead to U.S. central bank's policy meeting next week to gauge how it will tame inflation amid a banking crisis. Yield on the two-year Treasury note, which best reflects interest rate expectations, rose to 4.15% as some tensions about the banking sector abate. Shares of Fedex Corp (FDX.N) rose 11.1% premarket after the delivery giant raised full-year earnings forecast after cost cuts.

☆ Wall Street closes higher as First Republic helps lift banks
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( David Carnevali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies European Central Bank raises key policy rateFirst Republic Bank shares reverse course and turn higherMeta, Snap climb as U.S. threatens TikTok banNEW YORK, March 16 (Reuters) - A strong rebound by financials helped Wall Street's main indexes close firmly positive on Thursday, after some of the country's largest lenders came to the rescue of embattled First Republic Bank. "Banks are looking out for one another," said Huntington Private Bank chief investment officer, John Augustine. Shares of JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley were up 1.94% and 1.89% respectively, while the lifeline buoyed First Republic Bank (FRC.N), which gained 9.98%. The KBW regional banking index (.KRX) gained 3.26%, while the S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK) advanced 2.16%, as both sub-indexes reversed losses. Concerns about banks have rattled the stock market in recent days after the collapse of SVB Financial fueled contagion fears.

SummarySummary Companies Credit Suisse rebounds on lifeline from Swiss central bankHousing starts, jobless claims data due 8:30 am ETAdobe rises on upbeat profit forecastMeta, Snap climb as U.S. threatens TikTok banFutures mixed: Dow down 0.29%, S&P down 0.19%, Nasdaq up 0.16%March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures were mixed on Thursday as the Swiss central bank's lifeline for embattled Credit Suisse did little to boost investor sentiment as they awaited economic data for clues on the outlook for U.S. interest rates. U.S.-listed shares of Credit Suisse rose 8.8% in premarket trading after the bank secured a credit line of up to $54 billion from the Swiss National Bank to shore up liquidity and investor confidence, which had nosedived after the lender's shares slumped on Wednesday. Troubles at Credit Suisse, coming on the heels of the collapse of SVB Financial (SIVB.O) and peer Signature Bank (SBNY.O) have sparked fresh worries about stress in the banking sector, dwarfing relief on expectations of less aggressive moves by the Federal Reserve. "Central banks are in a bit of a bind because they need to make sure that inflation is brought back under control. Shares of Adobe Inc (ADBE.O) supported Nasdaq futures, rising 5.8% in premarket trade after the Photoshop maker raised its 2023 profit target.

☆ These are the 3 essential questions nobody is asking after Silicon Valley Bank's implosion — and the 5 bank stocks you should be buying, according to UBS
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( James Faris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Regional banks remain under fire after the sudden undoing of Silicon Valley Bank. UBS answered three of the biggest questions bank investors should be asking right now. Here are five of the firm's favorite regional bank stocks to buy for upside. The shocking collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, the shutdown of Signature Bank, and "material weaknesses" reported at Credit Suisse led investors to panic-sell bank stocks — even those without financial issues. Below is a summary of those questions and the best answers based on UBS projections, along with the regional bank stocks that stand out in regards to each.

☆ First Republic Bank tumbles, drags down shares of other regional lenders
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 16 (Reuters) - First Republic Bank (FRC.N) fell about 30% on Thursday, leading shares of other regional lenders lower, as fears of a banking crisis loomed large. "Short sellers are attacking banks they think are weak, unfortunately First Republic has not done a very good job of pushing back. The regional banking sector has been reeling from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on worries that nervous customers may rush to withdraw their deposits, potentially triggering a liquidity crisis. Bloomberg reported on Wednesday that First Republic was weighing options to shore up its liquidity and that larger rivals might show interest in taking over the bank. "So when you're looking at regional banks, this net interest margin situation is much more damning."

☆ Bank fears escalate as Wall Street wonders: Who’s next?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Allison Morrow | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Credit Suisse has been flailing for years, hurt by risk-management missteps that tarnished its reputation with clients and investors, and cost several top executives their jobs. The question on everyone’s mind is: What will happen to Credit Suisse, and who will be the next to fall? Fitch Ratings and S&P on Wednesday both downgraded the bank’s credit rating over concerns that depositors could pull their cash despite federal intervention. PacWest Bank (PACW) was down 12%, and shares of other regional banks fell again, too. Bottom line: Credit Suisse will probably need to be taken over (the most likely outcome, according to JPMorgan) or bailed out.

☆ Wall Street down as Credit Suisse sparks fresh bank selloff
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( David Carnevali | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

I don’t think we are at 2008-2009 stages by any means when it comes to the contagion stuff," said Themis Trading co-manager of trading, Joe Saluzzi. Still, Credit Suisse troubles piled more pressure on U.S. banking sector after U.S. authorities relieved investors with emergency measures to prevent contagion after the collapse of SVB Financial (SIVB.O) and Signature Bank (SBNY.O). Some investors believe aggressive U.S. interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve caused cracks in the financial system. Shares of Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL.N) and bank and brokerage Charles Schwab Corp (SCHW.N) bucked the trend to close in the green. Big U.S. banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Citigroup (C.N) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) dropped, dragging on the S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK).

Two supervisory sources told Reuters that the European Central Bank (ECB) had contacted banks on its watch to quiz them about their exposures to Credit Suisse. The Swiss National Bank declined to comment on Switzerland's second-largest bank, after its largest investor said it could not provide Credit Suisse with more financial assistance because of regulatory constraints. Credit Suisse had appealed to the Swiss National Bank and Swiss financial watchdog FINMA for a public show of support, the Financial Times reported. The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in front of an office building in Zurich, Switzerland October 26, 2022. Ralph Hamers, CEO of Credit Suisse rival UBS (UBSG.S) said market turmoil has steered more money its way.

The drop in Credit Suisse shares led a 7% fall in the European banking index (.SX7P), while five-year credit default swaps (CDS) for the flagship Swiss bank hit a new record high, highlighting increasing investor concerns. We move from the problems of American banks to those of European banks, first of all Credit Suisse," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. The Swiss National Bank declined to comment on Switzerland's second-largest bank, after its largest investor said it could not provide Credit Suisse with more financial assistance because of regulatory constrains. The logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in front of an office building in Zurich, Switzerland October 26, 2022. Ralph Hamers, CEO of Credit Suisse rival UBS (UBSG.S) said it has benefited from market turmoil and seen money inflows.

U.S.-listed shares of Credit Suisse slid 24.3% to hit a record low, after the Swiss bank's largest investor said it could not provide more financial assistance to the lender. Big U.S. banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Citigroup (C.N) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) fell between 5% and 1%. The KBW regional banking index (.KRX) slid 3.8% while the S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK) dropped 4.2%%. "Given all the turmoil with Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, expectations have dramatically risen come that the Fed will keep rates unchanged, or maybe raise them (by) 25 basis points." Shares of Charles Schwab Corp (SCHW.N) fell 1.9%, a day after its chief executive said the firm has enough liquidity.

March 15 (Reuters) - European bank stocks fell sharply on Wednesday, with embattled Credit Suisse (CSGN.S) tumbling to a new low, on renewed investor concerns about stresses within the sector triggered by Silicon Valley Bank's sudden collapse. A more than 20% drop in Credit Suisse shares led a 6% plus fall in the European banking index (.SX7P), while five-year credit default swaps (CDS) for the flagship Swiss bank hit a new record high, highlighting increasing investor concerns. We move from the problems of American banks to those of European banks, first of all Credit Suisse," said Carlo Franchini, head of institutional clients at Banca Ifigest in Milan. BlackRock (BLK.N) Chief Executive Laurence Fink warned on Wednesday that the U.S. regional banking sector remains at risk, and predicted further high inflation and rate increases. And in an attempt to avert a similar crisis down the line, the U.S. Federal Reserve is considering tougher rules and oversight for midsize banks similar in size to SVB.

However, regional banks pared early gains in premarket trading on Wednesday, with First Republic Bank (FRC.N) down 0.7%. Big U.S. banks such as JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Citigroup (C.N) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) fell between 1.2% and 2.3%. ET, which is expected to show a moderation in producer price growth in February both on a monthly and annual basis. ET, Dow e-minis were down 517 points, or 1.61%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 63 points, or 1.61%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 162 points, or 1.33%. Reporting by Amruta Khandekar and Shubham Batra in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Vinay DwivediOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Futures fall as caution about banks lingers, economic data awaited
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

After the recent collapse of SVB Financial (SIVB.O) and Signature Bank (SBNY.O), assurances and emergency measures by U.S. authorities allayed worries about the health of other banks to some extent. Regional banks extended gains to premarket trading on Wednesday after a strong rebound in the previous session. First Republic Bank (FRC.N) jumped nearly 13%, with peers Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL.N) and PacWest Bancorp (PACW.O) up 8.3% and 6.5%, respectively. Big U.S. banks such as JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Citigroup (C.N) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) edged lower between 0.2% and 0.8%. ET, Dow e-minis were down 171 points, or 0.53%, S&P 500 e-minis were down 19.25 points, or 0.49%, and Nasdaq 100 e-minis were down 51.75 points, or 0.42%.

☆ Premarket stocks: The forgotten rescue plan that could prevent another SVB-like collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Bank stocks rebounded significantly on Tuesday after logging record plunges Monday and the week prior. Those banks will coordinate to take Fed loans around the same time on the same day alongside smaller banks. ▸ US bank stocks rebounded on Tuesday, recovering some of their losses after the collapse of three banks tested markets on Monday. Regional bank stocks rallied: First Republic (FRC) Bank ended the day up 27% after a record drop on Monday. The question is whether bank stocks can hold on to their gains or if Tuesday was just a sector-wide dead cat bounce.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Charles Schwab, Meta, Nike, Netflix, Truist, FedEx & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Here are Wednesday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Oppenheimer reiterates Netflix as outperform Oppenheimer said investors should buy the dip in Netflix shares. Bank of America upgrades W.R. Berkley to buy from neutral Bank of America said buy the dip in shares of the insurance company. "A recent sell-off in financial and insurers more specifically gives an opportunity to upgrade shares of WRB." Deutsche Bank reiterates Nike as buy Deutsche said it's staying bullish on shares of Nike heading into earnings next week. Bank of America reiterates FedEx as buy Bank of America said it's standing by its buy rating on FedEx heading into earnings on Thursday.

☆ Investors tiptoe back into US bank stocks, regulators probe SVB collapse
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Chris Prentice | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

March 14 (Reuters) - Bruised U.S. bank stocks regained some ground on Tuesday, as a sell-off sparked by Silicon Valley Bank's collapse gave way to bargain-hunting by investors hopeful that efforts to shore up confidence would avert a wider financial crisis. The S&P 500 regional banks index (.SPLRCBNKS) rebounded 1.4%, leaving it with a 26% loss over the past five sessions. Investors worry about the health of smaller banks, the prospect of tighter regulation and authorities' preference for protecting depositors before shareholders. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsINVESTIGATIONSAs markets adjusted to the impact of SVB's collapse, regulars turned their focus to the circumstances around the bank's collapse. Officials are also examining stock sales by officers of SVB Financial Group, which owned the bank, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

☆ Charles Schwab shares bought by CEO, Baron Capital - CNBC
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 14 (Reuters) - Charles Schwab (SCHW.N) chief executive officer Walt Bettinger said he bought 50,000 shares of the company while billionaire investor Ron Baron said he "modestly increased" his position in the stock, CNBC reported on Tuesday, as investors aim to buy a dip in shares amid a meltdown in financial stocks. Shares of the broker jumped 12% to $58.1 in afternoon trading, recouping losses a day after falling 12% to their lowest since November 2020. A few investors are turning bargain-hunters to cash in on stocks trading at very attractive prices. Baron, the 79-year-old founder of Baron Capital, did not disclose how much stock of Charles Schwab he purchased, according to the report. Baron Capital declined to comment while Charles Schwab did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February from 0.5% in January as Americans faced persistently higher costs for rents and food. On a yearly basis, the CPI rose 6% in February, compared with 6.4% the previous month. The S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK) rose 2.9% after recording its biggest one-day percentage drop since June 2020 in the previous session. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 6.05-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 3.52-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded two new 52-week highs and five new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 18 new highs and 79 new lows.

☆ Citadel discloses 5% stake in Western Alliance amid sell-off
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 14 (Reuters) - Hedge fund Citadel on Tuesday said it bought a 5.3% stake in Western Alliance Bancorporation (WAL.N), sending a strong signal of confidence as the company was swept up in growing fears of a broader financial crisis after two other banks were seized. Western Alliance's share price, which had tumbled on Monday, shot higher on Tuesday, rising as much as 43% shortly after the opening of trading. Last year's returns made Citadel the most successful hedge fund ever. Western Alliance was one of a number of banks caught in a crippling sell-off since last week when regulators shut down startup-focused bank SVB Financial Group (SIVB.O) that triggered worries of a contagion and rippled across financial markets. Reporting by Svea Herbst-Bayliss in Boston, Mehnaz Yasmin in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh VenkateshwaranOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Shares of US regional banks attempt recovery after SVB-fueled rout
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Medha Singh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 14 (Reuters) - Shares of U.S. regional banks rose on Tuesday after suffering double-digit losses over the past few days following the biggest bank collapse since the 2008 global financial crisis. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB.O) and Signature Bank (SBNY.O) sent shockwaves through global markets, despite assurances from U.S. President Joe Biden and other policymakers that banks and deposits were safe. First Republic Bank (FRC.N) rose 57% before trading was halted for volatility, a day after hitting an intraday record low of $17.53. The S&P 1500 regional banks sub-industry index (.SPCOMBNKS) advanced 7.7% after shedding 20% in the past three sessions. Big banks rose with JPMorgan up 1.6%, Wells Fargo (WFC.N) 6.6% and Bank of America (BAC.N) 4.2%.

Data showed that U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in February versus 0.5% a month ago. Traders held on to bets of a 25-basis-point rate hike at the Fed's next meeting in March, with odds of a pause in hikes slipping a bit to 17%. The S&P 500 banking index (.SPXBK) rose 3.9% after recording its biggest one-day percentage drop since June 2020 in the previous session. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 7.92-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 4.87-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded no new 52-week highs and no new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 9 new highs and 36 new lows.

☆ Moody's downgrades Signature Bank to junk, places six U.S. banks under review
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 13 (Reuters) - Ratings agency Moody's on Monday downgraded the debt ratings of collapsed New York-based Signature Bank (SBNY.O) deep into junk territory and placed the ratings of six other U.S. banks under review for a downgrade. Moody's, which rated Signature Bank's subordinate debt 'C', said it was also withdrawing future ratings for the collapsed bank. The banks placed under review for downgrade are First Republic Bank (FRC.N), Zions Bancorporation (ZION.O), Western Alliance Bancorp (WAL.N), Comerica Inc (CMA.N), UMB Financial Corp and Intrust Financial Corporation, Moody's said. State regulators closed Signature Bank on Sunday, the third largest failure in U.S. banking history, two days after authorities shuttered Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB.O) in a collapse that stranded billions in deposits. Reporting by Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann ThoppilOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Japanese banks slide as SVB contagion fear rattles markets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Bank runs have started (and) interbank markets have become stressed," said Damien Boey, chief equity strategist at Sydney-based investment bank Barrenjoey. "Fear has started to feed on itself, and higher uncertainty by itself has triggered its own de-leveraging and de-risking dynamics." Overnight the VIX (.VIX) volatility index, nicknamed Wall Street's "fear gauge", shot higher and other indicators of market stress showed early signs of strain. In Tokyo, Resona Holdings (8308.T) led losses with a 9% slide, followed by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (8306.T), down 8%. U.S. inflation data due later in the day is likely to inject more volatility, even if investors see the Fed prioritising financial stability.

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