Best Regional Bank Companies To Invest In 2014

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB  ) has released its first-quarter earnings, and overall things look pretty good for the large regional bank. It earned $1.43 billion, or $0.73 per share, right in line with analysts' expectations. Nevertheless, shares have been down as much as 2.6% this morning, prompting a deeper look into that earnings release. Here are three reasons investors may not be that pleased with the big Minnesota-based bank.

1. Net revenue
While net income increased by 6.7% from the same quarter last year, the same cannot be said about the top line. For the quarter, U.S. Bancorp recorded total net revenue of $4.9 billion. This was a 4.7% decline from the fourth quarter and a 1.1% decline from the same quarter last year.�

Noninterest income, which we'll cover in depth shortly, was primarily to blame. It was down 7% from the fourth quarter, and 3.3% from the same quarter last year, primarily because of lower mortgage banking revenues, as well as seasonally lower payments-related revenue.

Best Regional Bank Companies To Invest In 2014: ZipRealty Inc.(ZIPR)

ZipRealty, Inc., a residential real estate brokerage company, provides brokerage services to buyers and sellers in the United States. The company, through its Website ziprealty.com, provides access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) home listings data, including pictures from the local MLSs; and allows consumers to receive an automatic email notification each time a property that meets their desired search criteria, is made available on the local MLSs. Its Website also offers neighborhood data, such as population, comparable home sales, average income, education level, occupation mix, cost of living, crime statistics, weather, school district information, maps, and driving directions; online images and virtual tours; schedule visits; and home offers. In addition, the company operates ZAP, a Web-based agent platform and customer relationship management system integrated to its Website. Its ZAP integrates and records consumer contact information and Website behavior, agent b ehavior, and transaction information into a common platform; and records relevant consumer behavior, such as logon frequency and times, specific homes viewed and printed, searches made by clients, requested visits to view homes, and online offers, as well as captures and stores agent activities, including agent email communications organized by clients. The company offers its services through its agents in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Washington, D.C. ZipRealty, Inc. was founded in 1999 and is based in Emeryville, California.

Best Regional Bank Companies To Invest In 2014: Landmark Bancorp Inc.(LARK)

Landmark Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Landmark National Bank that provides financial products and services to small and medium sized businesses and consumers. The company accepts various deposits, including non-interest bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, money market accounts, NOW accounts, time deposits, and certificates of deposits. Its loan portfolio comprises commercial loans for service, retail, wholesale, and light manufacturing businesses, including agricultural operations; commercial, residential, construction and multi-family real estate loans; and consumer loans that include automobile, boat, home improvement, and home equity loans. The company has main office in Manhattan, Kansas; and 20 branch offices in eastern, central, and southwestern Kansas. Landmark Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1920 and is headquartered in Manhattan, Kansas.

Best Casino Stocks To Own Right Now: Pulse Electronics Corporation(PULS)

Pulse Electronics Corporation produces precision-engineered electronic components and modules that are used to manage, transmit, and regulate electronic signals and power in various types of electronic products. The company operates in three segments: Network, Power, and Wireless. The Network segment produces various passive components, including connectors, filters, filtered connectors, transformers, inductors, splitters and diplexers, micro-filters, baluns, and chokes that manage and regulate electronic signals for use in various devices used in local area and wide area networks. The Power segment primarily manufactures products that adjust and ensure current and voltage, limit distortion of voltage, sense and report current and voltage, and cause mechanical movement or actuation. This segment?s products include power and signal transformers, chokes, current and voltage sensors, ignition coils, automotive ignition coils, military and aerospace products, and other power m agnetic products. The Wireless segment produces antennas, antenna modules, and antenna mounting components and cables that capture and transmit communication signals in handsets, other terminal and portable devices, automobiles, and wireless-to-wireline access points. The company sells its products and services to original equipment manufacturers, original design manufacturers, and contract equipment manufacturers who design, build, and market end-user products. Pulse Electronics Corporation markets its products primarily through direct sales forces worldwide. The company was formerly known as Technitrol, Inc. and changed its name to Pulse Electronics Corporation in November 2010. Pulse Electronics Corporation was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Quickel]

  Pulse Electronics Corporation, formerly Technitrol, Inc., is a producer of precision-engineered electronic components and modules. The company’s electronic components and modules are used to manage, transmit and regulate electronic signals and power in virtually all types of electronic products. Its EPS forecast for the current year is 0.28 and next year is 0.45. According to consensus estimates, its topline is expected to decline 1.53% current year and grow 6% next year. It is trading at a forward P/E of 13.53. Out of four analysts covering the company, two are positive and have buy recommendations and the other two have hold ratings.

Best Regional Bank Companies To Invest In 2014: Sulliden Explorati Com Npv(SUE.TO)

Sulliden Gold Corporation Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of precious metal properties in Peru and Canada. It principally holds a 100% interest in the Shahuindo gold and silver project that comprises 26 mineral claims covering an area of approximately 7,358 hectares in the Cajabamba Province in northern Peru. The company was formerly known as Sulliden Exploration Inc. and changed its name to Sulliden Gold Corporation Ltd. in October 2009. Sulliden Gold Corporation Ltd. is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.