Our rating on the Financial sector is Over-Weight. The Fed's rate-hike campaign is expanding net interest margins for banks. We also look for recovery in fee-based businesses, bond issuance, and M&A as the rate cycle winds down. Still, with inflation running hot, companies may cut back on hiring and investments, and thus on business loans. As of the end of April, the sector accounted for 13% of the S&P 500. The sector was outperforming the market with a gain of 12.0%. It underperformed the market in 2023, with a gain of 7% compared to a gain of 24% for the S&P 500. The sector includes money center banks, regional banks, investment banks and brokerages, exchanges, insurers, and financial data companies. Here are the Financial companies that either are on our Focus List or are used in our model portfolios.

In this edition, we assess exposure of some consumer finance banks; Compass Minerals puts its dividend on ice; Humana's stock pitch shows a rare opportunity; and Enel SpA, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Puma.

American Express is a global financial institution, operating in about 130 countries, that provides consumers and businesses charge and credit card payment products. The company also operates a highly profitable merchant payment network. Since 2018, it has operated in three segments: global consumer services, global commercial services, and global merchant and network services. In addition to payment products, the company's commercial business offers expense management tools, consulting services, and business loans.

The Vickers Top Buyers & Sellers is a daily report that identifies the five companies the largest insider purchase transactions based on the dollar value of the transactions as well as the five companies the largest insider sales transactions based on the dollar value of the transactions.