More than half of regional banks missed third-quarter profit forecasts as the recession and tight credit conditions continued to weigh on these lenders, according to an earnings wrap.

With the U.S. markets' recent downdraft, bull/bear battle lines are being drawn at major support. The latest chart for the S&P 500 suggests the uptrend is at least losing momentum, if a new downtrend hasn't already been signaled. But by the same token, considerable support remains in place to keep the benchmark buoyed. Specifically, significant support still holds at the 1,020 for the S&P.

Financial stocks rise in early activity, clawing back some Friday losses as regional bank stocks lead broad gains.

Regions Financial had a tough quarter, as it continued to struggle with losses on home construction loans.

It was a big day for the bulls as investors cheered earnings reports from Dow companies 3M (MMM) McDonald's (MCD) and Travelers (TRV). The S&P 500 finished green for the day closing higher by 1.04% to 1092 closing right at the high of the day. It wasn’t all roses for the bulls today; the market opened lower and then found a bottom at 1074. Professor Jeff Macke has been a McDonald's shareholder for quite some time and today on the Buzz and Banter he told readers what he's doing with his shares.  “So there I was all surly and ...

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Ridgewater Equity (RWE).