Tuesday's Financial Winners & Losers

H&R Block (HRB Quote) rose 5.3% after the tax preparation firm said it might sell its mortgage business. An analyst with Soleil Securities raised his rating on the stock to a buy. Meanwhile, the company lowered its full-year earnings guidance to between $1.20 and $1.45 a share. The stock was trading up $1.27, or 5.8%, to $23.16.

Anthracite Capital (AHR Quote) plummeted after the real estate investment trust posted third-quarter results that missed Wall Street expectations. The REIT earned $12.6 million, or 22 cents a share, compared with $15.1 million, or 28 cents a share, a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were looking for earnings of 33 cents a share. Shares were down $2.25, or 16%, to $11.75.

Charter Financial (CHFN Quote) gained after posting a 16.6% gain in third-quarter profit. The bank earned $13.3 million, or 69 cents a share, up from $11.4 million, or 58 cents a share, a year ago. The lender's bottom line included a $1.8 million reduction in income tax expense. Shares were up $1.43, or 3%, to $48.74. ...