Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now

In the following video, Motley Fool financial analysts David Hanson and Matt Koppenheffer discuss the second-largest regional bank in the U.S., PNC Financial (NYSE: PNC  ) . As a shareholder, Matt discusses what he sees as enticing about PNC today, and talks about whether or not the spate of acquisitions the bank has made recently concerns him as an investor. Matt also highlights one area of PNC's business that investors should be watching today.

The big banks may be rushing to renew their focus on traditional banking, but well-run regional banks like PNC Financial are already there. PNC saw its share of hardships during the financial meltdown, but its management team thinks the bank is now back on track and ready to deliver for investors. Does this mean it's time to buy PNC? To help you figure that out, one of The Motley Fool's top banking analysts has authored a brand-new premium research report, delving into everything investors need to know about PNC today. To claim your copy, simply click here now for instant access.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: First Financial Corporation Indiana(THFF)

First Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services. Its deposit products include interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand deposits, savings accounts, time deposits, and certificates of deposit. The company?s loan portfolio comprises commercial, financial, and agricultural loans; residential loans; and consumer loans. It also provides mortgage lending; lease financing; trust account and depositor services; and insurance services, such as property and casualty insurance, surety bonds, employee benefit plans, life insurance, and annuities. The company operates 54 branches in west-central Indiana and east-central Illinois. First Financial Corporation was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By James E. Brumley]

  What do Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:PSEC), Astec Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTE), and First Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:THFF) have in common? Not much, on the surface. In fact, were it not for something very specific to one particular person (me), they'd have nothing in common at all. This week though, THFF, ASTE, and PSEC all have at least one thing in common, and that's the fact that they're all going into my mental/hypothetical portfolio.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Sogefi(SGFI.MI)

Sogefi S.p.A. manufactures and markets auto parts components for the automobile industry. The company offers filtration systems, such as oil, engine air, petrol and diesel fuel, and cabin air filters; and suspension components and precision springs, including coil springs for shock absorbers, stabilizer bars, torsion bars, stabilinks, leaf springs, precision springs, and track adjusters. It serves motor vehicle manufacturers in the OEM, OES, and IAM markets primarily in Europe and South America, as well as in the United States, China, and India. The company was founded in 1980 and is based in Milan, Italy. Sogefi S.p.A. is a subsidiary of CIR S.p.A.

Top 5 Construction Stocks To Own Right Now: Nevado Venture Cap Corp(VDO.V)

Nevado Resources Corporation engages in the exploration of mineral resource properties. The company was formerly known as Nevado Venture Capital Corporation and changed its name to Nevado Resources Corporation on August 27, 2010. Nevado Resources Corporation was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Laval, Canada.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Bevo Agro Inc. (BVO.V)

Bevo Agro Inc., through its subsidiary, Bevo Farms Ltd., engages in the propagation of vegetable plants to greenhouse growers, nurseries, and retailers in North America. The company operates 34 acres of propagation greenhouse facilities on 98 acres of land in Milner, British Columbia; and provides vegetable plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers, as well as offers other plants comprising bedding plants, flowers, trees, cranberries, grasses, and poinsettias. It also produces cucumbers, which are marketed and sold through a licensed marketing agency. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Milner, Canada.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd(A46.SI)

Asia Pacific Breweries Limited engages in the brewing, sale, export, and distribution of beer and stout. It offers a portfolio of approximately 40 beer brands and brand variants, including Tiger beer, Heineken, Anchor beer, ABC Extra Stout, Baron?s Strong Brew, and Bintang beer in 60 countries comprising Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, China, and Mongolia. The company was formerly known as Malayan Breweries Limited and changed its name to Asia Pacific Breweries Limited in 1990. Asia Pacific Breweries Limited was founded in 1931 and is based in Singapore. Asia Pacific Breweries Limited is a subsidiary of Asia Pacific Investment Pte Ltd.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Nuveen Insured New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio(NXN)

Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc. It is managed by Nuveen Asset Management. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of United States. It invests in the securities of companies that operate across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in municipal bonds with an average credit quality of Baa/BBB or better. It employs fundamental analysis to create its portfolio. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Barclays Capital New York Municipal Bond Index and S&P New York Municipal Bond Index. Nuveen New York Select Tax-Free Income Portfolio was formed on June 19, 1992 and is domiciled in the United States.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Deq Systems Corp. (DEQ.V)

DEQ Systems Corp. manufactures and sells auxiliary systems suitable for casino gaming tables worldwide. It offers table game bonusing technology, table games, table game results tracking, and jackpot connectivity solutions. The company�s products include table games comprising EZ Baccarat, EZ Pai Gow, and Caribbean Stud Poker; i3 technology side betting system; i3 progressive paytables, such as 5 Card Hand Bonus, Bad Beat Blackjack Progressive, and Progressive Pai Gow Poker tables; and Real Link, a secure wireless progressive jackpot management system, which links and manages various casino locations to a single shared table game progressive jackpot. Its patents and products also comprise multiple credit betting on the player�s and dealer�s hand, denomination betting flexibility, electronic credit bank, and electronic rake, as well as baccarat and blackjack hand tracking. In addition, the company offers G3 System side bet bonusing with progressive and random jackpot pri zes and slot machine style mystery bonusing; Dragon 7 and Panda 8 optional side wagers; EZ TRAK system, an LCD-based hand tracking system that provides players with valuable statistical data; and EZ Pai Gow, which accelerates the speed of Pai Gow poker. Further, it engages in the development of intellectual property related to table game bonusing; IP license management; lease and sale of table game bonusing technology; sale of patent rights; and collection of royalties. DEQ Systems Corp. is headquartered in L茅vis, Canada.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Dice Holdings Inc. (DHX)

Dice Holdings, Inc. provides specialized career Websites and career fairs for professional communities. Its career Websites serve as online marketplaces where employers and recruiters find and recruit prospective employees, and where professionals find relevant job opportunities and information. The company's Tech and Clearance segment operates Dice.com, a recruiting and career development Website for technology and engineering professionals in the United States; and ClearanceJobs.com, an Internet-based career network to matching security-cleared professionals with hiring companies searching for employees. This segment also includes Slashdot Media, which comprises Websites, such as Slashdot, a user-generated news, analysis, peer question, and professional insight community; SourceForge, an online destination for technology professionals and enthusiasts to develop, download, review, and publish Open Source software; and Freecode that indexes downloadable Linux, Unix, and cr oss-platform software for a worldwide technology audience. Its Finance segment operates eFinancialCareers.com, a recruiting and career development Website for financial market professionals and financial services industry worldwide. The company's Energy segment operates Rigzone.com, a career Website that delivers online content, data, advertising, and career services for the oil and gas industry. Its Other segment includes Targeted Job Fairs, which produce and host career fairs and open houses focused primarily on technology, energy, and security-cleared candidates; Health Callings, a recruiting and career development Website for healthcare professionals; and WorkDigital, a technology company focused on the recruitment industry. The company serves staffing companies, recruiting agencies, consulting firms, and marketing departments of companies, as well as small, mid-sized, and large direct employers. Dice Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in New York, N ew York.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Jeff Reeves]

  Dice Holdings (DHX) is a $500 million company that provides job-seekers with employment opportunities within their industry.

  Unlike blanket sites like HotJobs from Yahoo (YHOO) or Monster Worldwide (MWW), Dice is compartmentalized with properties that includes tech portal Slashdot, oil and gas site Rigzone and finance site eFinancial Careers and medical career site Health Callings.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Affirmative Insurance Holdings Inc.(AFFM)

Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a distributor and producer of non-standard personal automobile insurance policies and related products and services for individual consumers in the United States. It offers liability-only policies that comprise bodily injury liability coverage, property damage liability coverage, and personal injury protection coverage and/or medical payment coverage. The company also provides full coverage policies, which include collision coverage for damage to the insured vehicle as a result of a collision with another vehicle or object; comprehensive coverage for damages to the insured vehicle as a result of theft, hail, and vandalism; and optional coverages, such as towing, rental reimbursement, and special equipment. In addition, Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. sells third-party non-standard personal automobile insurance policies; and complementary insurance products underwritten by third-party insurance companies, including homeowners and renters insurance, motorcycle and recreational vehicle coverage, vehicle protection, and travel protection; and non-insurance products and services, which comprise towing, motor club memberships, hospital indemnity insurance, and bond cards. Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. distributes its products through independent agencies, unaffiliated underwriting agencies, and retail agencies, as well as through premium finance companies. The company was formerly known as Instant Insurance Holdings, Inc. Affirmative Insurance Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is based in Addison, Texas.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: UMH Properties Inc.(UMH)

UMH Properties, Inc. (UMH) is a real estate investment trust. The firm engages in the ownership and operation of manufactured home communities. It leases manufactured home spaces to private manufactured home owners, as well as leases homes to residents. The firm invests in the real estate markets of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Tennessee. In addition, it invests in debt and equity securities of REITs. United Mobile Homes was incorporated in 1968. The company was formerly known as United Mobile Homes, Inc. UMH Properties is based in Freehold, New Jersey.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Halmont Properties Corporation (HHC.V)

Halmont Properties Corporation invests in commercial real estate properties and securities of companies with real estate interests in Canada. It holds a 75% equity interest in a commercial office building located in the central financial district of Toronto, Ontario; and interests in a forest reserve. The company is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: U.S. Silica Holdings Inc (SLCA)

US Silica Holdings, Inc. is a silica sand supplier company. The Company is a producer of industrial minerals, including sand proppants, whole grain silica, ground silica, fine ground silica, calcined kaolin clay and aplite clay. The Company operates in two segments: oil and gas, and industrial and specialty products. The Company�� shipping capabilities include five of the class-one railroads, barge, full truckload, partial truckload and intermodal. The Company�� products include proppants, whole grain silica, ground silica, fine ground silica, testing silica, recreational silica, aplite, kaolin, hydrous kaolin and FLORISIL. It also operates as a research and development specialist for customized products and solutions. The Company serves a range of industries and applications, which includes oil and gas, glass, chemicals, foundry, building products, fillers and extenders, recreation, industrial filtration and treatment, and testing and analysis.

Oil & Gas

The Company�� oil and gas segment include OTTAWA WHITE and SHALE FRAC product lines. The Company has a selection of offerings from number of mining and transload locations. Its products consist of unconventional reservoirs, including tight gas, coal bed methane, shale gas, and liquids.

Industrial & Specialty Products

The Company�� industrial and specialty products include glass, chemical, foundry, building products, fillers and extenders, recreation, industry filtration and treatment, and testing and analysis. The Company produces a range of whole grain silica, ground silica and kaolin clays.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Matt DiLallo]

  Risks
  An investment in Hi-Crush is not without risks. It's not as diversified as rival�U.S. Silica Holdings� (NYSE: SLCA  ) ,�which has pursued a strategy that has it boasting over 200 products and 1,400 customers. Hi-Crush has just a handful of customers and one main product. Meanwhile, U.S. Silica is much more geographically diverse with 15 facilities compared to just two for Hi-Crush. I like the fact Hi-Crush is a pure play; however, being concentrated is a big risk, which is one reason why I'm writing puts to buy units much cheaper.�

• [By John Udovich]

  Yesterday, small cap fracking stock CARBO Ceramics Inc (NYSE: CRR) surged 28.32% after reporting earnings while fracking peer U.S. Silica Holdings Inc (NYSE: SLCA) jumped 9.50% and Hi-Crush Partners LP (NYSE: HCLP) rose 3.20%���no doubt on positive sentiment. However, are investors missing anything with CARBO Ceramics and�is it too late to get in on the action there?

• [By Maxx Chatsko]

  2. U.S. Silica (NYSE: SLCA  )
  Shares of monocrystalline sand producer U.S. silica have soared this year along with the prospects for the country's energy production. The company's sand has become increasingly popular as a proppant, which are pumped into wells to keep fractures open and hydrocarbons flowing, for use in the oil and gas industry. Using proppants can significantly improve a well's profitability and productivity. Aside from its booming oil and gas business, U.S. Silica provides raw materials for various industrial purposes.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Straco Corporation Limited (S85.SI)

Straco Corporation Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the development and operation of tourism-related facilities in the People�s Republic of China. The company develops and operates cable car facilities, aquatic related facilities, dolphin and sea lion performance aquariums, and a restaurant, as well as engages in the supplementary retail of souvenir; provides management and consulting services, and project management services; and is involved in the production and management of shows, as well as provides creative and artistic content. In addition, it engages in investment holding, leisure, travel, and tour businesses. The company was incorporated in 2002 and is based in Singapore.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Urban Outfitters Inc.(URBN)

Urban Outfitters Inc. operates lifestyle specialty retail stores under the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN brand names in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Its Urban Outfitters stores sell women?s and men?s fashion apparel, footwear, accessories, and gifts, as well as apartment wares, such as rugs, pillows, shower curtains, books, candles, and novelties to young adults aged 18 to 28; and Anthropologie stores provide women?s casual apparel and accessories, shoes, gifts, and decorative items, as well as home furnishings, including furniture, rugs, lighting, antiques, table top items, and bedding to women aged 28 to 45. The company?s Free People stores primarily offer Free People branded merchandise mix of casual women?s apparel, intimates, shoes, accessories, and gifts to young contemporary women aged 25 to 30; Terrain store provides lifestyle home and garden products, antiques, live plants, flowers, wellness products, and accessori es, as well as landscape and design service solutions; and BHLDN store offers a range of weeding collections consisting of wedding gowns, bridesmaid frocks, party dresses, assorted jewelry, headpieces, footwear, lingerie, and decorations. As of January 31, 2012, it operated 197 Urban Outfitters stores, 168 Anthropologie stores, 62 Free People stores, 1 Terrain garden center, and 1 BHLDN store. The company also operates a wholesale business under the Free People brand name that distributes apparel to other retailers and department stores in the United States. In addition, it markets its brands directly to consumers through its e-commerce Websites, including urbanoutfitters.com, anthropologie.com, freepeople.com, urbanoutfitters.co.uk, urbanoutfitters.de, urbanoutfitters.fr, anthropologie.eu, shopterrain.com, and bhldn.com, as well as through its Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People catalogs. The company was founded in 1970 and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvani a.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Lauren Pollock]

  Urban Outfitters Inc.'s(URBN) fiscal third-quarter profit grew 18% as the clothing retailer reported overall sales growth across all three store formats it operates, while fewer markdowns boosted gross margins.

Best Regional Bank Stocks To Own Right Now: Washington Real Estate Investment Trust(WRE)

Washington Real Estate Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust (REIT). The company engages in the ownership, operation, and development of real properties. The firm invests in real estate markets of the greater Washington D.C. metro region. It focuses on office, medical office, industrial/flex space, retail, and multifamily real estate investments. Washington Real Estate Investment Trust was founded in 1960 and is based in Rockville, Maryland.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Rich Duprey]

  Commercial and residential income-producing property REIT�Washington Real Estate Investment Trust (NYSE: WRE  ) announced yesterday its third-quarter dividend of $0.30 per share, the same rate it's paid for the past four quarters.