Hot Financial Companies To Buy For 2014

NEW YORK (AP) -- Many small business owners are still finding it hard to get loans and credit, and that's creating problems for their companies, according to a survey released Monday by the American Sustainable Business Council.

Forty-five percent of the 515 owners who took part in the advocacy group's survey said access to loans and credit at reasonable rates is a problem for their businesses. Access to loans was most difficult in the Northeast, where 53 percent of the owners said it was a problem. In the West, 49 percent called it a problem, followed by 44 percent in the South and 37 percent in the Midwest.

The survey's findings were in line with other surveys that have shown many small business owners finding it hard to get credit nearly five years after the banking crisis.

Most of the survey participants, 91 percent, said they support allowing community banks, cooperatives and credit unions to compete more actively with commercial banks to help meet the needs of small businesses. Changes in federal law would be required for small financial institutions to increase their small business lending.

Hot Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: PrivateBancorp Inc.(PVTB)

PrivateBancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for The PrivateBank and Trust Company that provides business and personal financial services to middle-market companies and business owners, executives, entrepreneurs, and families in the United States. The company?s deposit products include checking, savings, and money market accounts; interest and non-interest bearing demand deposits; and certificates of deposit. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial loans, including lines of credit to businesses for working capital needs, term loans, and letters of credit; commercial real estate loans; loans for the construction of single-family residential properties, multi-family properties, and commercial projects; mortgage loans; and residential, home equity, and personal loans. The company also provides private banking, investment management, trust, and investment agency services to high and ultra-high net-worth clients; custody, escrow, and tax-deferred exchange services; and investment management services to individuals, families, and foundations. In addition, it invests primarily in residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations. As of December 31, 2011, the company operated 18 branch locations in the Chicago market; and 10 branch locations in the Atlanta, Detroit, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and St. Louis metropolitan areas, as well as 29 automated teller machines located at its banking facilities. PrivateBancorp, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Zacks]

  Some better-ranked Midwest banks include First Interstate Bancsystem Inc. (NASDAQ: FIBK), Wintrust Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: WTFC) and PrivateBancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PVTB). All these stocks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Next week investors will be waiting for several key earnings reports including�General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG), Peabody Energy Corporation (NYSE: BTU), Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK), PrivateBancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: PVTB),Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO), Bank of America Corp (NYSE: BAC) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ).

• [By Holly LaFon]

  In the last several weeks, three hedge and mutual fund managers sold shares of their holdings where they own 5% or more of the company, according to GuruFocus Real Time Picks. Most of the managers made large gains on these sales, with one exception. John Paulson reduced his stake in Delphi (DLPH), Third Avenue reduced its stake in Skyline Corp. (SKY), and NWQ Managers reduced its stake in PrivateBancorp (PVTB) and Bob Evans Farms (BOBE). John Paulson and Delphi Auto Plc (DLPH)

Hot Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Harris & Harris Group Inc.(TINY)

Harris & Harris Group, Inc. is a venture capital and venture debt firm specializing in seed, start up, early stage, and mid venture investments. It primarily invests in tiny-technology-enabled companies with a focus on nanotechnology, microsystems, and microelectromechanical systems technology. Harris & Harris Group, Inc. was founded in 1981 and is based in New York, New York with additional offices in Palo Alto, California and Los Angeles, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Sally Jones]

  Highlight: Harris & Harris Group Inc. (TINY)

  The TINY share price is currently $3.07 or 22.1% off the 52-week high of $3.94. The company does not pay a dividend.

Hot Bank Stocks To Invest In 2014: Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund Inc (FLC)

Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund, Inc. is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated. It invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in a diversified portfolio of preferred securities and other income-producing securities consisting of various debt securities. It primarily invests in investment grade securities. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Index and the S&P 500 Index. Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund, Inc. was formed on July 18, 2003 and is domiciled in the United States.

Hot Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Cdl Hospitality Trusts (J85.SI)

CDL Hospitality Trusts, through its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel real estate investment trust (REIT). It invests in a portfolio of hospitality and hospitality related real estate assets. As of December 31, 2009, the company owned and operated 11 hotels comprising Orchard Hotel, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, M Hotel, Copthorne King�s Hotel, and Novotel Clarke Quay in Singapore; Rendezvous Hotel Auckland, a deluxe hotel located in Auckland, New Zealand; and Novotel Brisbane, Mercure Brisbane, Ibis Brisbane, Mercure Perth, and Ibis Perth located in Brisbane and Perth, Australia comprising a total of 3,942 hotel rooms. It also operated Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade, the shopping arcade adjoining Orchard Hotel in Singapore. The company has elected to be taxed as a REIT. As a REIT, it would not be subject to corporate income tax on 90% of its net income that is distributed to shareholders. CDL Hospitality Trusts was founded in 2006 and is based in Singapore, Singapore.

Hot Financial Companies To Buy For 2014: Pimco California Municipal Income Fund II(PCK)

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It primarily invests in municipal fixed-income securities. Its portfolio of investments include investments in california municipal bonds and notes, other municipal bonds and notes, call and put options written, california variable rate notes, other variable rate notes, corporate notes, california variable rate demand note, and U.S. treasury bills. PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II was formed in 2002 and is based in New York City.