Why Investors Are Buzzing About Janus Capital, Deutsche Bank, Freeport-McMoRan, and More

Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) is in the spotlight today after the company agreed to sell certain non-operated carbon dioxide and waterflood assets in New Mexico and West Texas for $235 million, excluding certain closing adjustments. Those assets produced around 4,000 BOE per day in the first half of 2016. With the agreement, Marathon Oil has announced or closed on non-core divestments of over $1.5 billion to further strengthen its balance sheet and improve its focus. The number of hedge funds in our database with holdings in Marathon Oil Corporation (NYSE:MRO) fell by seven during the second quarter to 26 at the end of June.

Many traders’ eyes are still glued on Deutsche Bank AG (USA) (NYSE:DB) today, as reports indicate that the bank hasn’t yet settled with the DOJ. Although the settlement talks have progressed, no deal has yet been presented to senior decision makers for approval according to the Wall Street Journal’s sources. That means Friday’s Agence France-Presse report that the two sides were closing in on a $5.4 billion settlement, which sent the investment bank’s shares sharply higher, could end up being way off. If the ultimate settlement amount is far larger than $5.4 billion, the markets could sell off hard due to worries over Deutsche Bank’s capital levels. If the settlement is reasonable, on the other hand, the stock could rally again. 15 funds that we track owned shares of Deutsche Bank AG (USA) (NYSE:DB) at the end of June, up by five funds from the end of March.

Watsco Inc (NYSE:WSO) shareholders are happy today after the company raised its quarterly dividend to $1.05 per share from the previous mark of $0.85. The 23.5% dividend payout bump gives the stock a forward yield of almost 3%, nearly two-times greater than the 10-year Treasury yield. Shares of Watsco are up by over 22% year-to-date. 20 of the hedge funds in our system were long Watsco Inc (NYSE:WSO) at the end of the second quarter, owning 2.60% of its float.

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