Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #5 Rank ("strong sell") List today:

American Water Works Co Inc (AWK) Amerigas Partners LP (APU) Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) Benchmark Electronics Inc (BHE) Benihana Inc (BNHNA) BMP Sunstone Corp (BJGP) Cape Bancorp Inc (CBNJ) China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd (NPD) Conmed Corp (CNMD) Crucell NV (CRXL) Duke Energy Corp (DUK) Empire District Electric Co (EDE) Emulex Corp (ELX) Encore Wire Corp (WIRE) Fair Isaac Corp (FICO) ...

KeyCorp’s (KEY) third quarter loss from continuing operations of 50 cents per share was substantially worse than the Zacks Consensus Estimated loss of 39 cents. This compares unfavorably to a net loss from continuing operations of 2 cents in the prior-year quarter. Results were primarily hurt by an increase in the provision for loan losses, write-downs of certain real estate-related investments, higher costs associated with other real estate-owned (OREO) assets and the write-off of certain intangibles. The downside also resulted from a 6.2% sequential increase in loan loss reserve to $2.5 billion, representing 4.00% of period-end loans and 108.5% of non-performing loans. Provisions for loan losses from continuing operations reached $733 million, compared to $336 million in the prior-year quarter. It exceeded net loan charge-offs by $146 million as KeyCorp continued to add to its reserves. Tax-equivalent net interest income increased 4.2% sequentially to $599 ...

Here are the stocks added to the Zacks #5 Rank ("strong sell") List today:

Anglo American PLC (AAUKY) Benihana Inc (BNHN) Benihana Inc-A (BNHNA) BlackRock Kelso Capital Corp (BKCC) BMP Sunstone Corp (BJGP) Cape Bancorp Inc (CBNJ) Capstone Turbine Corp (CPST) Celadon Group Inc (CLDN) China Nepstar Chain Drugstore Ltd (NPD) Conmed Corp (CNMD) Datalink Corp (DLTK) DemandTec Inc (DMAN) Emulex Corp (ELX) Encore Wire Corp (WIRE) Extreme Networks (EXTR) Fair Isaac Corp (FICO) General Maritime Corp (GMR) ...

After enduring extraordinary shocks in 2008, the U.S. banks entered an exceptional state of turmoil in 2009. Starting as a credit issue in the subprime segment of the mortgage market, the sticky situation spread to almost the entire financial services industry, and all corners of the globe. In other words, the financial crisis ultimately morphed into a massive economic crisis, which has had major ramifications across the whole world. Although the banking industry is dealing with liquidity and confidence challenges, it now has financial support from the U.S. government. The government has taken several steps, including programs offering capital injections and debt guarantees, to stabilize the financial system. We believe that the worst of the credit crisis is now probably behind us. After almost a year of initiating the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), a lot has improved with respect to the economic crisis, but ...

Keycorp’s (KEY) MACD indicator has moved into bearish territory with a reading of -0.0339. The Zacks #4 Rank (“Sell") stock fell more than 1.5% to $6.11 in morning trade. The full-year Zacks Consensus Estimate has worsened by 67 cents over the past 3 months and is pegged at a loss of $2.01 per share."KEY" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 27, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Medtronic (MDT) as the Bull of the Day and KeyCorp (KEY) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Boeing (BA), Textron (TXT) and Ford (F).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Medtronic’s (MDT) long-term story is intact - product approvals and launches will drive healthy top-line growth. This was witnessed in the first quarter when the company reported sales growth in all its operating segments.

Higher demand for pacemakers and ICDs has rejuvenated growth in the CRDM segment. This will bolster the company's strong position in the cardiac market against its closest rivals, Boston Scientific Corporation and St. Jude Medical.

First quarter earnings of 79

...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 26, 2009 – 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: Bank of America (BAC), Wells Fargo (WFC), KeyCorp (KEY), U.S. Bancorp (USB) and D.R. Horton (DHI).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Obama's Right Call on Bernanke

Though Bernanke's actions have at times been controversial (e.g. the Bank of America [BAC] takeover of Merrill Lynch), reappointing the Fed Chairman is the right move. Bernanke inherited a bad set of financial circumstances and moved boldly in his attempts to limit

...

President Obama is reappointing Ben Bernanke as Fed Chairman. Though there will be those in Congress who disapprove, it is highly probable that Bernanke will keep his job after January 31st. The move is part of a broader plan to keep the Obama economic team in place. A White House official told Politico.com, "The president wanted the team that has been working to rescue this economy together...This continuity is crucial." Though Bernanke's actions have at times been controversial (e.g. the Bank of America [BAC] takeover of Merrill Lynch), reappointing the Fed Chairman is the right move. Bernanke inherited a bad set of financial circumstances and moved boldly in his attempts to limit the damage. We may never know whether his actions prevented a depression from occurring, but in a crisis situation, action is always better than no action. The next challenge for Bernanke will be ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 21, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Expedia Inc. (EXPE) as the Bull of the Day and KeyCorp. (KEY) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Bank of America (BAC), Wells Fargo (WFC) and PNC Financial (PNC).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Expedia Inc. (EXPE) is one of the leading online travel companies in the world. The company reported strong results in the last quarter, beating the consensus estimate. Although bookings continue to be impacted by the recession, management has taken promotional measures to improve the conversion rate.

We are also positive about international initiatives, which we think will be the key to future growth. Cost management, a favorable online advertising

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Elavon, a part of U.S. Bancorp (USB) said on Tuesday that it has extended its joint venture agreement with KeyCorp (KEY) for the latter’s merchant referral business for another three years.   The leading global card acquirer, Elavon, markets its merchant processing services through KeyBank to business customers in 21 geographic districts straddling across a 13-state network of almost 1,000 commercial office and retail branch locations.   The extension of the agreement allows KeyBank to continue offering white-labeled merchant services supported by Elavon, which is solely dedicated to the payments industry. Elavon’s entire, robust solutions offerings are available to KeyBank merchants, from credit and debit processing to Dynamic Currency Conversion, Electronic Check, Gift Card, professional services and free online reporting.   As a strong leader in regional banking, KeyCorp provides exceptional value and innovation to Elavon’s customers, resulting in strong portfolio performance for the global card acquirer....