Today's Financial Stock Winners and Losers

Shares of American Capital Strategies (ACAS Quote) advanced after the Bethesda, Md., investment company was upgraded by AG Edwards to buy from hold. American Capital Strategies gained 90 cents, or 2.6%, to $35.57 in recent trading.

Morgan Stanley (MS Quote) rose slightly after the New York financial services company said it signed an agreement to sell its aircraft leasing business to Terra Firma, a private equity group with offices in London and Frankfurt, for $2.5 billion. Shares of Morgan Stanley added about 7 cents to $60.85 in recent trading.

Shares of Town & Country Trust (TCT Quote), a Baltimore real estate investment trust, were higher by nearly 7% on news that Oriole Partnership LLC, a joint venture investment vehicle, proposed a rival bid to acquire the company for $36 a share. Last month, the company agreed to be acquired for $1.3 billion by a joint venture that included affiliates of Morgan Stanley Real Estate and Onex Real Estate. Town & Country Trust gained about $2.25 to $36.47 in recent trading.

Capitol Bancorp (CBC Quote) rose after the Lansing, Mich., bank holding company was upgraded by Sandler O'Neill to buy from hold. Shares of Capital Bancorp advanced $1.21, or 2.9%, to $42.81 in recent trading.