Stockchase Opinions

Francis Gannon Merrill Lynch & Co (US) MER-N TOP PICK Nov 12, 2004

Trading at about 1.8 X book. Growth story from a retail standpoint is just starting to kick in.
$56.950

Stock price when the opinion was issued

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TOP PICK
He has a model price of $86.44, a 60.5% positive differential. They finally have a CEO, which is good news. Financial CEO’s are being replaced by Risk Managers, so going forward they will be building their balance sheets.
BUY
A great financial at a discounted price. Made some mistakes. Got into the mortgage related businesses to deeply and are now paying the penalty. Cheap at 1.5X Book.
PARTIAL BUY
Got rid of their CEO who they replaced with a man that used to run the NYSE. You'll have to wait till these things bottom out. You can start buying them slowly.
DON'T BUY
On a price to book basis got down to the level that it bottomed to in 1998. The big question that is overhanging everybody's mind is, what is the integrity of their balance sheet like. Thinks there is going to be a bloody battle on legal grounds.
PARTIAL SELL
This whole sector is dangerous. Its saviour is eventual U.S commercial bank transition to Canadian form (Citigroup owns big brokerage firm) There is further downside.
TOP PICK
Has a new CEO who should be a catalyst for a turnaround.
DON'T BUY
His model price is $35.94. That is a -26% differential. Fundamentals have deteriorated.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Sept 20/07. Down 73%.) Sold his holdings on January 31st at $56.22. Not sure if this one will make it. His model price is $7.00.
COMMENT
Being acquired by Bank of America (BAC-N) through shares. If you own, take the shares. In a couple of years, it will be higher and in the meantime you'll get a decent yield.
SELL
(Market Call Minute.) You don't want to touch any US financial.