Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015

Our human mind easily gets attracted to the information that gets popular among the crowd. The same happens with the way we raise our children. If the neighbour sends his child to a music class, without even thinking about the child�� interest or talent, most of the parents copycat.

Herd mentality is natural for a human being. What happens when we do the same while taking important investment decisions?

How herd mentality impacts in financial decision making?

Remember finance companies in India during 1990s who offered a huge interest on investments. Finally, these companies made people to become homeless. Strict measures were taken and people started being careful while investing. But again, people have fallen victim in the 2010-11 to finance schemes like Emu farms, etc.

Why do such catastrophic situations happen again and again?

The reason here is the herd mentality of people who just want to follow the crowd. Even while investing, people just follow what the majority is doing.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: CME Group Inc.(CME)

CME Group Inc. operates the CME, CBOT, NYMEX, and COMEX regulatory exchanges worldwide. The company provides a range of products available across various asset classes, including futures and options on interest rates, equity indexes, energy, agricultural commodities, metals, foreign exchange, weather, and real estate. It offers various products that provide a means of hedging, speculation, and asset allocation relating to the risks associated with interest rate sensitive instruments, equity ownership, changes in the value of foreign currency, credit risk, and changes in the prices of commodities. CME Group owns and operates clearing house, CME Clearing, which provides clearing and settlement services for exchange-traded contracts and counter derivatives transactions; and also engages in real estate operations. Its primary trade execution facilities consist of its CME Globex electronic trading platform and open outcry trading floors, as well as privately negotiated transact ions that are cleared and settled through its clearing house. In addition, the company offers market data services comprising live quotes, delayed quotes, market reports, and historical data services, as well as involves in index services business. CME Group?s customer base includes professional traders, financial institutions, institutional and individual investors, corporations, manufacturers, producers, and governments. It has strategic partnerships with BM&FBOVESPA S.A., Bursa Malaysia Derivatives, Singapore Exchange Limited, Green Exchange, Dubai Mercantile Exchange, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, S.A.B. de C.V., as well as joint venture agreement with Dow Jones & Company. The company was formerly known as Chicago Mercantile Exchange Holdings Inc. and changed its name to CME Group Inc. in July 2007. CME Group was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Options traders and commodity junkies should recognize CME Group (CME) as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a financial entity that operates a host of futures exchanges as well as providing its own exchange-traded products and derivatives.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Keefe Bruyette & Woods.

  Cypress Semiconductor Corp. (NASDAQ: CY) was maintained as Buy, but earnings estimates were cut and the price target was cut to $13 from $15, by Sterne Agee. Wedbush downgraded it to Neutral from Buy after the warning.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: The First Bancshares Inc.(FBMS)

The First Bancshares, Inc. operates as the banking holding company for The First, A National Banking Association that provides commercial and retail banking services to small to medium-sized businesses, professional concerns, and individuals in Mississippi. It accepts various deposit products, such as checking accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, savings accounts, and other time deposits, ranging from daily money market accounts to longer-term certificates of deposit, as well as retirement account services, such as individual retirement accounts. The company provides commercial loans, such as secured and unsecured loans for working capital, business expansion, and purchase of equipment and machinery; consumer loans, which include equity lines of credit and secured and unsecured loans for financing automobiles, home improvements, education, and personal investments; and real estate construction and acquisition loans. It also originates loans to purchase existi ng or construct new homes, and to refinance existing mortgages. In addition, the company offers Internet banking services, voice response telephone inquiry services, commercial sweep accounts, cash management services, safe deposit boxes, travelers? checks, direct deposit of payroll and social security checks, automatic drafts for various accounts, network of automated teller machines, and VISA and MasterCard credit card services. It operates 10 branch offices in Mississippi. The company was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Top Tech Companies To Buy For 2015: RECORD PLC ORD GBP0.00025 WHEN ISSUED(REC.L)

Record plc engages in the provision of currency management services for the institutional clients primarily in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Switzerland. It offers various services comprising currency for return and currency hedging services, as well as provides currency transaction analysis or currency audit services. The company also offers management services to other Group undertakings, as well as operates as a trust company. Record plc was founded in 1983 and is based in Windsor, the United Kingdom.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: VSB Bancorp Inc.(NY)

VSB Bancorp, Inc. operates as the holding company for Victory State Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services to individuals and businesses primarily in Staten Island, New York. It offers various deposit products, including non-interest bearing checking, money market, time deposit, statement savings, and negotiable order of withdrawal accounts. The company also provides various loan products, such as commercial business loans; commercial real estate loans; construction loans for one-to four-family residential properties, and multi-family residential and commercial use real estate properties; commercial mortgage loans; and unsecured commercial loans. The company serves its customers through its banking offices and its Web site, victorystatebank.com. As of December 31, 2010, it operated 5 banking offices in West Brighton, St. George, Dongan Hills, Rosebank, and Great Kills sections of Staten Island. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Staten Islan d, New York.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: Sterling Bancorp(STL)

Sterling Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for Sterling National Bank that provides a range of banking and financial products and services in the Untied States primarily in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It accepts various deposit products, including checking accounts, money market accounts, negotiable order of withdrawal accounts, savings accounts, rent security accounts, retirement accounts, and certificates of deposits; and deposit services comprising account management and information, disbursement, reconciliation, collection and concentration, ACH, and others. The company also provides business and consumer lending, asset-based financing, factoring/accounts receivable management services, equipment leasing, commercial and residential mortgage lending and brokerage, and trade financing services for commercial, industrial and financial companies, and government and non-profit entities. In addition, it offers financing and human resource business process outsourcing support services for the temporary staffing industry, which comprise full back-office, computer, tax, and accounting services, as well as financing to independently-owned staffing companies. The company operates 12 offices, including 9 offices in New York City, two branches in Nassau County, and 1 branch in Yonkers, New York. Sterling Bancorp was founded in 1929 and is based in New York, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Corinne Gretler]

  Statoil ASA (STL) rose 4.2 percent to 137.60 kroner. Norway�� biggest energy company made its third oil discovery off the coast of Canada in the Flemish Pass basin. Bank of America Corp. raised the stock to buy from neutral.

• [By Jon C. Ogg]

  The M&T Bank Corp. (NYSE: MTB) and Hudson City Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: HCBK) transaction is the only pending deal of 2012 vintage due to various regulatory concerns. MTB currently has 9% short interest outstanding and PACW 15%. Another merger covered is the deal between Provident New York Bancorp (NASDAQ: PBNY) and Sterling Bancorp (NYSE: STL), and the balance are simply too small for us to warrant effort.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ.AX)

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) provides a range of banking and financial products and services to retail, small business, corporate and institutional clients. The Company conducts its operations in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region. It also operates in a range of other countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company operates on a divisional structure with Australia, International and Institutional Banking (IIB), New Zealand, and Global Wealth and Private Banking. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had 1,337 branches and other points of representation worldwide, excluding automatic teller machines (ATMs). In September 2012, it sold its remaining shareholding in Visa Inc.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (the Bank) is engaged in the provision of a range of banking and financial products and services to retail, small business, corporate and institutional clients. The Bank is a provider of integrated financial services, including retail, business and institutional banking, superannuation, life insurance, general insurance, funds management, broking services and finance company activities. Its operating segments include Retail Banking Services, Business and Private Banking, Institutional Banking and Markets, Wealth Management, New Zealand, Bankwest and Other. Its retail banking services include home loans, consumer finance, retail deposits and distribution. Its business and private banking include corporate financial services, regional and agribusiness banking, local business banking, private bank and equities and margin lending. The Bank and its subsidiaries ceased to be a substantial holder in Ten Network Holdings Limited, as of September 12, 2012. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Michael Ugulini]

  Investors can take away that Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) is experiencing growth in all brands as noted by the company's President of Commercial Operations, Mr. Andy Thomas in an August Earning's Call, "For the first time in CBA's history, CBA's quarterly growth was propelled by growth in all brand families and across all CBA sales divisions. Our overall plus 12% STR growth came from a healthy blend of plus 23% growth for Kona, plus 14% growth for Redhook, and plus 1% growth for Widmer Brothers; all accompanied by the continued expansion of Omission in our international markets."

• [By Toshiro Hasegawa]

  Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) fell 1.1 percent to A$73.73. Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (ST) retreated 1.1 percent to S$3.78 today after posting earnings.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: Sun Bancorp Inc.(SNBC)

Sun Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Sun National Bank that provides various commercial and consumer banking services in New Jersey. The company offers various deposit instruments, including checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, term certificate accounts, and individual retirement accounts, as well as business checking accounts. Its loan portfolio includes residential real estate loans, residential mortgage loans, mortgage loans on commercial real estate, construction loans, home equity lines of credit, home equity loans, consumer loans, and small business loans, as well as short and long-term business loans. The company also provides cash management services, such as electronic banking, sweep accounts, lockbox services, Internet banking, remote deposits, and controlled disbursement services; investment services, including insurance, annuities, mutual funds, securities, and real estate investment trusts; and equipment leasing ser vices, as well as enters into financial derivative transactions primarily consisting of interest rate swaps. As of January 30, 2012, it operated through 65 locations in New Jersey. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Vineland, New Jersey.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: Capital Blf Inc (BLF.V)

Capital BLF Inc. engages in the ownership and rental of nine multi-residential buildings located in the province of Quebec, Canada. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Dorval, Canada.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: The First of Long Island Corporation(FLIC)

The First of Long Island Corporation operates as a bank holding company for The First National Bank of Long Island that provides various financial services. It offers various deposit products, including checking, money market, savings, escrow service and interest on lawyer, time deposit, NOW, rent security, holiday club, and individual retirement accounts. The company?s loan portfolio consists of commercial and industrial loans; residential and commercial mortgage loans; home equity loans and lines; multifamily loans; construction loans; consumer loans, such as auto and home improvement loans, personal loans, overdraft checking lines, and credit cards; commercial loans, which include short-term business loans, term and installment loans, revolving credit term loans, and loans secured by marketable securities, general business assets, deposits, and surrender value of life insurance policies; and commercial and standby letters of credit. In addition, it provides account rec onciliation, ATM banking, bank by mail, bill payment, cash management, collection, drive-through banking, personal money orders, Internet and telephone banking, merchant credit card depository, lock box, night depository, payroll, remote deposit, securities transactions, signature guarantee, trust and investment management, wire transfers and foreign cables, and withholding tax depository services, as well as offers controlled disbursement accounts, travelers and counter checks, mutual funds, annuities, life insurance and securities, safe deposit boxes, and the U.S. savings bonds. Further, the company provides pension trust, personal trust, estate, and custody services; and insurance agency services, as well as owns a real estate investment trust. It offers its services to privately owned businesses, professionals, consumers, public bodies, and other organizations through its 34 branches primarily in Long Island and Manhattan. The company was founded in 1927 and is based in Glen Head, New York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Dividends4Life]

  The First of Long Island Corporation (FLIC) operates as a bank holding company for The First National Bank of Long Island that provides financial services. Sept. 19, the company increased its quarterly dividend 4% to $0.26 per share. The dividend is payable Oct. 11, 2013 to shareholders of record on October 3, 2013. The yield based on the new payout is 2.7%.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: New York Community Bancorp Inc.(NYB)

New York Community Bancorp, Inc. operates as a multi-bank holding company for New York Community Bank and New York Commercial Bank, which offer banking products and services in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, and Arizona. It primarily engages in generating deposits and originating loans. The company?s deposit products include checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, NOW and money market accounts, and non-interest-bearing demand deposit accounts. Its lending portfolio comprises one- to four-family loans; multi-family loans; commercial real estate loans; acquisition, development, and construction loans; home equity lines of credit; commercial and industrial loans; and consumer loans. New York Community Bancorp also provides installment loans, revolving lines of credit, cash management, online banking, automated teller machine, and phone banking services. The company serves small and mid-size businesses, professional associ ations, government agencies, consumers, and school districts. As of June 30, 2011, it operated 242 community bank branches, 34 commercial bank branches, and 286 ATM locations. The company was formerly known as Queens County Bancorp, Inc. and changed its name to New York Community Bancorp, Inc. in November 2000. New York Community Bancorp, Inc. was founded in 1859 and is based in Westbury, New York.

Top Financial Stocks To Own For 2015: Federal Resources Investment Group Inc (FED)

Federal Resources Investment Group Inc.( FED) is a Philippines-based holding company engaged. The Company�� primary activities were to invest in, purchase, or otherwise dispose of real and personal property of every kind and description, including shares of stock, bonds, debentures, notes, evidences of indebtedness, and other securities or obligations of any corporation or corporations, association and associations, domestic or foreign. Prior to its change in primary purpose, the Company was previously engaged in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of various adhesives and sealants, contact cement, wood glues, epoxies, coating, and other specialty products, and other chemicals for hardware, construction, do-it-yourself and other applications. The Company�� operating segments include PVC Resins and Sealants, Coatings and adhesives. The Company is still in the process of winding up its manufacturing and trading operations and selling its remaining inventories. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Canadian Value]

  Nearly all emerging markets took a hit this summer amid speculation the US Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) would soon begin ��apering��its prolonged asset purchase plan, which had pumped large amounts of liquidity into the markets globally. When you hear about this ��apering��of the Fed�� $85 billion monthly bond purchases, it�� important to understand the facts. Tapering isn�� the same as tightening. The Fed-fueled liquidity already pumped in is still working through the system. Additionally, Japan and other global central banks are printing money, adding to the pot.