Here’s Why Traders Are Watching These Stocks Today

Comerica Turns in Mixed Results

Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:CMA) earned $0.77 per share on revenue of $714 million for its second quarter, beating the average analyst profit estimate by $0.08 per share but missing the top-line consensus number by $1.37 million. Overall, revenue rose by 5.2% year-over-year, led by a $1.1 billion increase in average loans, and increases in fee-based non-interest income. In terms of guidance, management expects the efficiency ratio to decline to the low 60% range by the end of 2017 and to or below 60% by the end of 2018 even if interest rates remain low. Management remains committed to achieving double digit returns on equity by cutting expenses by around $160 million by year-end 2018. A total of 36 funds from our database owned shares of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE:CMA) at the end of March, down by one from the previous quarter.

Johnson & Johnson Reports an Excellent Quarter

Dividend aristocrat and medical giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) shares have inched up today after the company turned in excellent results for the second quarter. The company posted $1.74 per share, beating the average analyst estimate by $0.06 per share, while the company’s revenue came in at $18.48 billion, exceeding the top-line estimate by $500 million. Domestic sales rose by 7.4%, international sales inched up by 0.4% and there was a negative currency impact of 2.7%. The company experienced notable strength in its pharmaceuticals business, driven by the success of new products and the continued advancement of Johnson and Johnson’s drug pipeline candidates. For the full year, management expects adjusted EPS of $6.63 to $6.73 on revenue of $71.5 billion to $72.2 billion. Among the investors we track, 77 funds owned $5.25 billion worth of Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ)’s stock, which accounted for 1.80% of the float on March 31, versus 72 funds and $4.16 billion, respectively, on December 31.

Regions Results Mostly In-Line

Regions Financial Corp (NYSE:RF) reported mostly in-line second-quarter results for, which included EPS of $0.21 on revenue of $1.4 billion, versus estimates of earnings of $0.21 per share on sales of $1.37 billion. Average loans increased by 4% year-over-year, while net interest margin (NIM) inched lower by one basis point to 3.15%. Tangible book value was $9.22 per share, an increase from last year’s $8.37 per share. The number of funds followed by Insider Monkey with holdings in Regions Financial Corp (NYSE:RF) rose by five quarter-over-quarter to 41 at the end of March.

Disclosure: none