Bank Of America Q1 Results Tops Estimates

Bank of America Corp. (BAC) reported Friday that net income applicable to common shareholders for the fourth quarter plunged to $2.84 billion or $0.35 per share from $6.90 billion or $0.85 per share in the prior-year quarter. Excluding items, adjusted net income for the quarter was $0.70 per share.

Bank of America Corp. (BAC) reported Monday that net income applicable to common shareholders for the second quarter grew to $7.10 billion from last year's $5.93 billion, with earnings per share increasing to $0.88 from $0.73 in the prior year.

First Republic Bank, the latest casualty in the ongoing banking turmoil, said it has secured around $30 billion funding from America's 11 largest banks as a lifeline, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. Following the news, the bank's stock, which has been sinking since last week, gained around 10% on Thursday from the previous day's close.

Bank of America Corp. (BAC) reported Monday that net profit for the third quarter decreased 8 percent from last year, hurt by provision for credit losses as well as lower fees and service charges. However, both earnings and revenues for the quarter topped analysts' estimates.

Ambac Financial Group (AMBC), a financial services holding company whose subsidiaries include Ambac Assurance Corp or AAC, announced Friday that AAC entered into an agreement to settle all of its claims against Bank of America (BAC) and related entities for $1.84 billion.

Bank of America Corp. (BAC) reported Monday that net income applicable to common shareholders for the second quarter declined to $5.93 billion from last year's $8.96 billion, with earnings per share decreasing to $0.73 from $1.03 in the prior year.

The South Korea stock market bounced higher again on Monday, one session after ending the two-day winning streak in which it had advanced more than 25 points or 1 percent. The KOSPI now sits just above the 2,740-point plateau and it may tick higher again on Tuesday. The global forecast for the Asian markets is cautiously optimistic, with strength likely from the technology shares. The European markets were up and the U.S. bourses were mixed and the Asian markets are tipped to open to the upside. The KOSPI finished modestly higher on Monday following gains from the financial shares and industrials, while the technology stocks were mixed. For the day, the index added 17.52 points or 0.64 percent to finish at 2,742.14 after trading between 2,734.64 and 2,756.41. Volume was 572.2 million shares worth 12.1 trillion won. There were 474 decliners and 402 gainers. Among the actives, Shinhan Financial soared 2.73 percent, while KB Financial collected 1.87 percent, Hana Financial rallied 1.90 percent, Samsung Electronics jumped 1.94 percent, Samsung SDI retreated 1.62 percent, LG Electronics sank 0.41 percent, SK Hynix perked 0.11 percent, Naver slumped 1.76 percent, LG Chem tumbled 1.63 percent, Lotte Chemical strengthened 2.10 percent, S-Oil surged 2.91 percent, SK Innovation added 0.37 percent, POSCO improved 0.75 percent, SK Telecom rose 0.39 percent, KEPCO climbed 1.01 percent, Hyundai Mobis was up 0.22 percent, Hyundai Motor accelerated 2.66 percent and Kia Motors spiked 1.95 percent.

The Reserve Bank of Australia will on Tuesday release the minutes from its May 7 monetary policy meeting, highlighting a light day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.