Top 10 Most Searched Stocks on TheStreet.com: Citi

Financials were dominating the headlines in the latest edition of the top 10 most searched stocks on TheStreet.com.

First up is Citigroup(C), which reported a $3.8 billion fourth-quarter loss -- much worse than expected. Citi also announced that it will be splitting up into two businesses, Citicorp and Citi Holdings.

Next up is Bank of America(BAC). The big bank came out with earnings ahead of schedule, reporting a dismal $2.39 billion loss. BofA is also getting another $20 billion from the government in TARP funds, a backstop of $118 billion for its assets and slashing its dividend.

Those two were followed by JPMorgan Chase(JPM). The bank beat Wall Street's dismal fourth-quarter expectations, announcing that earnings declined 76% from a year earlier. Moody's Investors Services speculated that the bank may be forced to cut its dividend.

David Peltier, portfolio manager of the Dividend Stock Advisor, says to stay away from risky bank dividends. His portfolio helps you invest for the long term without the perils of day to day trading. Email us for a special offer.

The slew of rough bank earnings put the spotlight on Wells Fargo(WFC), which reports earnings Jan. 28. After BofA reported major losses for Merrill Lynch, investors will want to see how Wells will do with its own recent acquisition, Wachovia.

Jim Cramer owns Wells for his Action Alerts PLUS portfolio, and he says that earnings will be messy, but that the core company is solid. For more of what Cramer is trading, email us for a free trial to Action Alerts PLUS.