While high levels of executive compensation spark outrage in the U.S., Asia’s banks paid out far less to their top officers over the last fiscal year than was seen in the West, and even reined in total executive pay, according to a new survey.

Among the shares expected to see active trade in Wednesday’s session are those of Boeing, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo.

U.S. financial stocks drift higher in early trade in light action, drawing some confidence from continuing merger and acquisition news and a respite from recent weaker-than expected financial data.

BOSTON (MarketWatch) -- Morgan Stanley analysts in a research note Tuesday advised investors to go long on bank stocks as the economy shows signs of recovery, but to avoid those with heavy commercial real estate exposure.

Shares of smaller and regional U.S. banks gain Monday as a Morgan Stanley analyst says the time is right to boost exposure to the sector.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by WallStSense.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by AnalystChoice.com (AC).