Thursday's Financials Winners & Losers

Investment Technology Group (ITG Quote) rose 4.5% after the online broker posted fourth-quarter pro-forma operating income of $22.7 million, or 51 cents a share. On a per-share basis, this is a penny higher than last year and bests Thomson Financial's analysts' consensus by 2 cents. Shares were gaining $1.95 to $45.55.

Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME Quote) was higher after it saw a 16% jump from last year in daily January contracts volume to an average of 5.5 million. Total contracts for the month came to 116 million. The derivatives exchange was rising $11.52, or 2.1%, to $574.82.

Nuveen Investments (JNC Quote) was higher after an analyst with Merrill Lynch said the asset management firm is now trading at a discount to its peers while remaining "a quality name with above-average organic growth." The analyst upped the firm's rating to buy from neutral. Shares were trading up $1.42, or 2.9%, to $50.92.

Lehmen Brothers (LEH Quote) gained after the New York-based broker upped its annual dividend by 25% to 60 cents a share. The firm will also buy back up to 100 million of its shares in a continuation of its existing repurchase program. Shares were climbing $2.28, or 2.8%, to $84.52.

St. Paul Travelers (STA Quote) fourth-quarter profit soared to $1.19 billion, or $1.68 a share, compared with $179 million, or 26 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts were looking for $1.42 a share. The Minnesota-based insurer was up $1.12, or 2.2%, to $51.97.

WP Stewart (WPL Quote) tanked after the Bermuda-based asset-management firm said former Chief Executive William Stewart will resume his prior role in the company. John Russell, who has served as interim CEO since last April, is retiring but will stay on the company board. Shares were plunging $3.28, or 21%, to $12.37.

Greenhill (GHL Quote) fourth-quarter revenue declined 11% from last year to $72.7 million, and earnings dipped a penny a share to $20 million, or 68 cents a share. Both figures squeak by analysts' targets of $72.3 million in revenue and 67 cents per share in profits, but the New York-based broker was losing $1.65, or 2.2%, to $73.28.