Tuesday's Financial Winners & Losers

JER Investors Trust(JRT) advanced after the McLean, Va.-based specialty finance company was upgraded by JMP Securities to market outperform from market perform. Shares were trading up 67 cents, or 3.9%, to $17.82.

Dollar Financial(DLLR), a Berwyn, Pa.-based check-cashing chain, said it had a commitment from two lenders to provide $475 million in financing.

Dollar says it plans to use the funding to refinance some outstanding debt and repurchase other notes. Shares were trading up 33 cents, or 1.55%, to $21.55.

Home Properties(HME) gained after the Rochester, N.Y.-based REIT was upgraded by Wachovia(WB) to outperform from market perform. Shares gained $1.44, or 2.5%, to $58.80.

Moody's(MCO) slid after President George Bush on Friday signed into law a measure that will allow more competition in the bond ratings business. Moody's is one of three companies that dominate the credit ratings market, along with McGraw Hill(MHP), Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings. Shares sank $2.44, or 3.8%, to $61.81.

T. Rowe Price Group(TROW) lost ground after the Baltimore-based investment management firm was downgraded by Wachovia(WB) to market perform from outperform. Shares dipped 53 cents, or 1.1%, to $47.06.

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