For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – January 7, 2020 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) , JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) , Citigroup (NYSE:C) , Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) and Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) .
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
China Regulator Lifts Ownership Limits for Foreign Companies
Moving ahead with the target to provide China with an improved banking and insurance system, the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission has removed the total asset requirement for foreign banks to set up institutions in the country, beginning 2020. The move came a year earlier than expected.
Specifically, foreign institutions will now be able to set up wholly owned branches in China without a local partner holding the majority stake. Foreign companies dealing in futures contracts received permission to set up business in the country with no limits on the amount of capital held from Jan 1, 2020.
The regulator also granted permission to foreign companies to hold controlling stakes in life insurers, securities and mutual fund management ventures. Notably, fund management firms will be able to put forth applications from Apr 1 while brokers will be able to do so from Dec 1, 2020.
Foreign Banks Aspiring for Majority Stake
Major brokerage and investment banking services providers such as BlackRock have indicated intentions to apply for 100% owned mutual fund licenses. JPMorgan, which already has a 49% stake in a mutual fund joint venture, reached an agreement to buy the remaining stake in August 2019.
Another major regional bank, Citigroup is planning to establish a majority-owned securities joint venture. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse (SIX:CSGN) have applied for 51% stake in local joint ventures in mid-2019.
Development in U.S.-China Trade War
The 17-month long, heightened trade negotiations between the President of the United States and his Chinese counterpart in an effort to sign a deal, have eased slightly. China is expected to sign the phase one deal on Jan 15.
The U.S.-China trade war-related tensions have been adversely impacting the economies of both countries for the past few months. However, further clarity on the U.S.-China trade deal will help provide ample boost to the financials.
Bottom Line
The removal of restriction on foreign banks from conducting business in China’s $45 trillion financial industry will boost their revenues considerably. Moreover, the banks will be able to explore opportunities in China as well taking advantage of the economy.
UBS Group, Goldman, Morgan Stanley and Citigroup currently carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), while JPMorgan, BlackRock and Schroders (LON:SDR) hold a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
It could become the mother of all technological revolutions. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) sold a mere 1 billion iPhones in 10 years but a new breakthrough is expected to generate more than 27 billion devices in just 3 years, creating a $1.7 trillion market.
Zacks has just released a Special Report that spotlights this fast-emerging phenomenon and 6 tickers for taking advantage of it. If you don't buy now, you may kick yourself in 2020.
Click here for the 6 trades >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report
Citigroup Inc. (C): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS): Free Stock Analysis Report
Morgan Stanley (MS): Free Stock Analysis Report
Original post
Zacks Investment Research