The financial sector companies were among the ones to benefit from the positive market reaction to the presidential election. The promises of reduced business regulation and economic growth contributed to the increase of stock values across the sectors. The talks of dismantling or revising the Dodd-Frank regulations by the President-elect got the banks excited. The effect of reduced regulation on banks would extend to other businesses and individuals, as borrowing money may become easier once again. But banks must be careful and smart in their lending practices, so we don’t see a repeat of the 2008 financial collapse.

The financial sector is relevant to investors, depositors, and everyone else in between. Everyone wants to know (and should know), how their financial institution is performing. We have the data and investment ratings to help you do just that.

We rate over 1,400 stocks in the financial sector. A quarter of them take a spot on the BUY list, which consists of 353 companies. The top ten largest BUY rated financial stocks with above average one, three, and five-year returns include:

• Regions Financial Corporation (RF)
• Endurance Specialty Holdings Ltd. (ENH)
• MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (MKTX)
• Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO)
• Webster Financial Corporation (WBS)
• First Horizon National Corporation (FHN)
• Chemical Financial Corporation (CHFC)
• Primerica, Inc. (PRI)
• Sterling Bancorp (STL)
• TowneBank (TOWN)

Six of the above companies are banks. They are looking to gain even more if the favorable market conditions continue and we see an interest rate hike, as their profit margins heavily depend on interest rates. So, the financial sector could improve even more in 2017, if the Fed finally goes through with a rate hike.