Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now

There is little doubt that New York Community Bancorp (NYSE: NYCB  ) is one of the best-run banks in the country. However, it isn't perfect.

Earlier this month, shareholders in the high-yielding regional bank voted against its executive pay practices. According to a regulatory filing dated June 30, a total of 142.7 million shares rejected its executive compensation plan while only 122.5 million shares voted for it.

Why would shareholders reject NYCB?
At first glance, this seems odd. Led by longtime CEO Joseph Ficalora, New York Community Bancorp was one of the few lenders to emerge from the financial crisis unscathed.

Its financial strength was so undisputed, in fact, that it was able to reject bailout money from the government in 2009. The decision not only protected current shareholders from dilution, it also allowed the bank to continue distributing nearly all of its earnings to shareholders.

Best High Tech Companies To Buy Right Now: Powershares Golden Dragon (PGJ)

PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio is based on the Halter USX China Index. The Index is comprised of the United States listed securities of companies, which derive a majority of their revenue from the People's Republic of China. The fund was incepted on December 9, 2004.

The sectors covered by the investment include consumer discretionary, consumer staples, energy, financials, healthcare, industrials, information technology, materials, telecommunications and utilities. PowerShares Capital Management LLC provides investment management to the Fund.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Robert Martin]

  With that in mind, here are four of the best emerging market ETF picks: A China ETF, an India ETF, and two other ETFs that track broad indices like the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

  PowerShares Gold Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio (PGJ)

  Expense Ratio: 0.7%

• [By MONEYMORNING.COM]

  PowerShares Golden Dragon China Portfolio (NYSE: PGJ) has a position in more than 70 companies, and its holdings are all U.S.-listed companies that generate most of their revenue in China. For that reason, Alibaba is the perfect candidate to join PGJ's holdings once it starts trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: CSR PLC (CSRE)

CSR plc is an United Kingdom-based holding company. The Company is a provider of multifunction connectivity, audio, and location platforms. The Company is engaged in designing and supplying of integrated circuits (silicon chips) and multifunction platforms for a range of devices and applications that are used in a range of consumer electronics products. It operates in three segments: Automotive, Voice and Music and Consumer. Automotive segment includes automotive infotainment and portable navigation devices. Voice and Music segment representing all its audio products. Consumer segment includes gaming, home entertainment, personal computers (PCs), tablets, document imaging, health and fitness, and cameras. The Company�� subsidiaries include Cambridge Silicon Radio Holdings Limited and NordNav Technologies Aktiebolag. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By reports.droy]

  CSR (CSRE), which recently rejected a $2.5 billion takeover offer from Microchip Technology (MCHP), has just been bagged by Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) for $2.5 billion.

Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: Woolworths Ltd (WOW)

Woolworths Limited is an Australia-based company. The Company operates in five segments: Australian Food and Liquor, New Zealand Supermarkets, Petrol, BIG W and Hotels. Australian Food and Liquor segment is engaged in the procurement of food and liquor and products for resale to customers in Australia. New Zealand Supermarkets segment is engaged in the procurement of food and liquor and products for resale to customers in New Zealand. Petrol segment is engaged in the procurement of petroleum products for resale to customers in Australia. BIG W segment is engaged procurement of discount general merchandise products for resale to customers in Australia. Hotels segment is engaged in the provision of leisure and hospitality services, including food and alcohol, accommodation, entertainment and gaming. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jonathan Burgos]

  Woolworths Ltd. (WOW) dropped 1.6 percent to A$33.22 after Australia�� largest retailer said challenging economic condition were evident in the second quarter.

Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: Commercial Bancshares Inc (CMOH)

Commercial Bancshares, Inc. is a financial holding company. The Company�� banking subsidiary, The Commercial Savings Bank (the Bank), is engaged in the business of commercial and retail banking, with operations conducted through its main office and branches located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio and neighboring communities in Wyandot, Marion and Hancock counties. The Bank provides customary retail and commercial banking services to its customers, including acceptance of deposits for demand, savings and time accounts, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and servicing of such accounts; commercial, consumer and real estate lending, including installment loans, and safe deposit and night depository facilities. Commercial Financial and Insurance Agency, LTD is its wholly owned subsidiary. The Bank also owns a 49.9% interest in Beck Title Agency, Ltd.

Lending Activities

The Bank grants residential, installment and commercial loans to customers located primarily in the Ohio counties of Wyandot, Marion and Hancock and the surrounding area. Commercial loans are primarily variable rate and include operating lines of credit and term loans made to small businesses primarily based on the ability to repay the loan from the cash flow of the business. Commercial real estate loans are primarily secured by borrower-occupied business real estate, and are dependent on the ability of the related business to generate adequate cash flow to service the debt. Residential real estate loans are made with primarily variable rates and are secured by the borrower�� residence. As of December 31, 2011, approximately 75.5% of the Company�� loan and lease portfolio consisted of commercial, construction and commercial real estate loans.

Investment Activities

Securities are classified as available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value. The securities available for sale include obligations of the United Sates Government and federal agencies, obligations of ! state and political subdivisions, and mortgage-backed securities. As of December 31, 2011, total securities available for sale were approximately $24.5 million, which included approximately $4.06 million of obligations of the United Sates Government and federal agencies, approximately $14.3 million of obligations of state and political subdivisions, and approximately $6.4 million of mortgage-backed securities.

Sources of Funds

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $259.1 million of deposits, which included approximately $ 38.1 million of noninterest-bearing demand, approximately $103.7 million of interest-bearing demand, approximately $ 86.9 million of savings and approximately $ 30.2 million of time deposits $100,000 and greater. As of December 31, 2011 the Company had no borrowings with Federal Home Loan Banks (FHLB).

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Doug Hughes]

  Commercial Bancshares (CMOH) operates as the holding company for The Commercial Savings Bank, with just over $300,000 in assets and $259,000 million in loans. This small, but very strong bank had 5% loan growth last year and net charge-offs of just 0.23%.

Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: Bk Of Nova Scotia Com Npv (BNS.TO)

The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various personal, commercial, corporate, and investment banking services in Canada and internationally. It operates in four segments: Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Wealth & Insurance, and Global Banking & Markets. The Canadian Banking segment provides retail and small business banking products and services, including deposit accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, debit cards, credit cards, and related creditor insurance products to individuals and small businesses; and commercial banking solutions comprising deposit, lending, and cash management solutions to medium and large businesses. This segment offers its products through a network of 1,038 branches and 3,800 automated banking machines, and specialized sales teams, as well as through Internet, mobile, and telephone banking in Canada. The International Banking segment provides retail and commercial banking services to customers located in the Caribbean, Latin America , Central America, and Asia through a network of approximately 3,000 branches and offices, 7,500 automated banking machines, in-store banking kiosks, and specialized sales forces, as well as through mobile, Internet, and telephone banking. The Global Wealth & Insurance segment provides wealth management services, comprising asset management and client-facing services; and insurance products and services, such as creditor, life and health, home, and auto and travel insurance products. The Global Banking & Markets segment offers corporate lending, equity and debt underwriting, and mergers and acquisitions advisory services, as well as fixed income, derivatives, prime brokerage, securitization, foreign exchange, equity sales, trading and research, energy and agricultural commodities, and precious and base metals to corporate, government, and institutional investor clients. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Roadmap2Retire]

  Monthly Contributions: I add to my positions in the following stock and funds on a monthly basis:

  Claymore S&P US Dividend Growers ETF (CUD.TO) is an ETF of 83 dividend growers and provides me with exposure to excellent corporations across all sectors. The ETF has a 1.8% yield and pays distributions monthly. iShares Canadian Financial Monthly Income Fund (FIE.A.TO) is an ETF of 24 Canadian financial equities (70%) and bonds (30%). The fund yields 6.5% and pays distributions monthly. Scotia Canadian Balanced Fund (mutual fund) is an index fund tracking the Canadian S&P/TSX Composite Index and the DEX Universe Bond Index. The fund yields 0.52% and pays distributions quarterly. The Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS.TO) is the third largest of the Canadian banks by deposits and market cap. BNS is also the most international of the Canadian banks with exposure in 55 countries outside Canada. BNS saw a pause in its dividend growth during the financial crisis. However, BNS has started raising dividends after the crisis with a 5-yr DGR of 5.15%. I have a DRIP plan in BNS and invest monthly to this holding. My Watchlist

  I am also considering various stocks that are not currently in my portfolio, but the current high valuations do not provide many options.

Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: Telus Corporation(TU)

TELUS Corporation provides telecommunications products and services primarily in Canada. Its telecommunications products and services include wireless, data, Internet protocol (IP), voice, and television. The company operates through two segments, Wireless and Wireline. The Wireless segment provides digital personal communications, equipment sales, and wireless Internet services. The Wireline segment offers voice local and voice long distance services; data services, which include television, and managed and legacy data services, as well as Internet, enhanced data, and hosting services; and other telecommunications services. TELUS Corporation was founded in 1993 and is based in Burnaby, Canada.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Ben Levisohn]

  Abbvie (ABBV)
  Ameren Corp. (AEE)
  Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG)
  E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. (DD)
  ENSCO (ESV)
  Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD)
  General Mills (GIS)
  H&R Block (HRB)
  Hancock Holding (HBHC)
  Kraft Foods Group (KRFT)
  Lorillard (LO)
  Magellan Midstream Partners LP (MMP)
  MarkWest Energy Partners L P (MWE)
  McDonald’s (MCD)
  Microchip Technology (MCHP)
  NextEra Energy (NEE)
  Regency Centers (REG)
  TELUS Corp. (TU)
  West Corp. (WSTC)
  Williams Companies (WMB)

• [By Tom Taulli]

  Big competitors for BCE include Rogers Communications (RCI) and Telus (TU), though it also faces niche players such as Public Mobile, Wind Mobile and Mobilicity. Until recently, there was buzz that Verizon (VZ) might enter the market by buying up the latter two, though VZ apparently scrapped plans for Canadian expansion until 2014.

Hot Regional Bank Stocks To Watch Right Now: PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust(PMT)

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is based in the United States.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Marc Bastow]

  PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (PMT), a REIT involved in mortgages and mortgage-related assets, raised its quarterly dividend 4% to 59 cents per share, payable Jan. 28 to shareholders of record as of Jan. 14. At more than 10%, PMT is the highest yielder of this week’s list of dividend stocks.
  PMT Stock Dividend Yield: 10.15%

• [By Sally Jones] ng>Current Shares: 3,570,000

  Value: $80,968,000

  Weighting: 19.8%

  Down 9% over 12 months, PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust, a residential REIT, has a market cap of $1.61 billion; its shares were traded at around $22.94 with a P/E of 7.30. The dividend yield is 10%.

  PMT is not ranked for business predictability.

  Track historical data:

  Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, Kyle Bass made a new buy of 3,570,000 shares at an average price of $21.84 per share, for a gain of 4.3%.

  The GuruFocus analysis of PMT shows five warning signs.

  Vodafone Group PLC (VOD)

  Current Shares: 1,349,200

  Value: $47,465,000

  Weighting: 11.6%

  Up 55% over 12 months, Vodafone Group PLC has a market cap of $189.2 billion; its shares were traded at around $39.14 with a P/E of 273.80. The dividend yield is 4.00%.

  Vodafone Group PLC is a provider of mobile communications services and products in Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, Europe, India and Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific.

  GuruFocus ranked VOD with one out of five stars for business predictability.

  Track historical data:

  Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, Kyle Bass made a new buy of 1,349,200 shares at an average price of $31.01 per share, for a gain of 25.9%.

  The GuruFocus analysis of VOD shows nine warning signs.

  Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)

  Current Shares: 1,500,000

  Value: $49,920,000

  Weighting: 12.2%

  Up 38% over 12 months, Microsoft Corporation has a market cap of $309.54 billion; its shares were traded at around $37.45 with a P/E of 13.70. The dividend yield is 2.60%.

  GuruFocus ranked MSFT with three out of five stars for business predictability.

  Track historical data:

  Guru Action: As of Sept. 30, 2013, Kyle Bass made a new buy of 1,500,000 shares at an average price of $32.90 per share, for a gain of 12.7%.

  The GuruFocus analysis of MSFT shows two go