Wednesday's Financial Winners & Losers

Knight Capital (NITE Quote) jumped 5% after a Bank of America analyst began coverage on the Nasdaq trade-execution firm with a buy recommendation. The analyst cited Knight's technological strength, which he says makes it particularly suited to benefit from the New York Stock Exchange's transition to more electronic stock trading. Shares were up 92 cents to $19.

Prudential Financial (PRU Quote) continued to rise a day after it issued a bullish outlook for 2007, predicting earnings would range between $6.60 and $6.80 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for full-year earnings of $6.65 a share. The insurer also forecast a 15%-17% return on equity over the next three years, up from this year's 14.5%. Shares were up $1.84, or 2.9%, to $86.12.

Keefe Bruyette & Woods (KBW Quote) rose after reporting that third-quarter earnings more than doubled. The firm earned $9.3 million, or 35 cents a share, compared with $4 million, or 14 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 19.5% to $93.2 million. Keefe went public in an IPO on Nov. 9, which raised $143 million. Shares were up 62 cents, or 2.2%, to $29.21. Financial Federal (FIF Quote) gained on widening profits for the quarter ended Oct. 31. The New York-based lender earned $12.2 million, or 46 cents a share, compared with $10.2 million, or 39 cents a share, a year ago. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 50% to 15 cents a share. Shares were up 31 cents, or 1.1%, to $28.17.

Commerce Group (CGI Quote) dropped on a downgrade by Credit Suisse to underperform from neutral. Shares were down 37 cents, or 1.2%, to $30.01.