Divided Fed Likely To Cut Rates, Keep Door Open To More Easing

The Federal Reserve is poised to lower interest rates again Sept. 18 and keep the door open to additional policy easing should trade tensions escalate further. The Fed's expected 25-basis-point rate cut would be its second of the year, but the decision will likely highlight a divide among Fed officials over how worried they should be about a potential U.S. economic slowdown, an...

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May 2018

Research

Fifth Third-MB Financial Deal Boosts Values Of Other Chicago-Area Banks

MB Financial Inc. is not the only Chicago bank to see its stock pop on news of its pricey sale. Fifth Third Bancorp announced May 21 that it reached a deal to buy MB Financial for 2.76x tangible book value with a crossover earnback period of 6.8 years. The market appeared to find the $4.7 billion price tag expensive, sending MB Financial's stock up 12.9% and Fifth Third's share...

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Banking

May 2018

Research

Fifth Third Adds Another Deal To Test Investor Interest In Big-Bank M&A

Fifth Third Bancorp drew investors' skepticism in announcing that it would pay up for a premium Chicago franchise, adding another data point that tests investors' reaction to large-bank M&A. Superregional banks across the country have announced deals in recent years that seem to inspire price drops that can last several quarters. Executives, including at Fifth Third, have pitch...

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