Latest Spending Reports, More Job Cuts, Registration Applications, Quarterly Dividends, and New Commercials - Research Report on Wells Fargo, MasterCard, CME Group, Equity Residential, and Aflac

NEW YORK, September 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC), MasterCard Incorporated (NYSE: MA), CME Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CME), Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR), and AFLAC Inc. (NYSE: AFL). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Wells Fargo & Company Research Report

On September 19, 2013, a Bloomberg report stated that Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo) is eliminating approximately, 1,800 more jobs in its home-loan production business as rising mortgage rates curtail borrowers' demand for refinancing. According to the report, Tom Goyda, a Wells Fargo spokesman, said that these reductions are in addition to the 3,000 cuts made earlier in the quarter. He also said that Wells Fargo was the biggest employer among US banks at midyear with about 274,000 people. Further, the report also mentioned that on September 9, 2013, Chief Financial Officer Timothy Sloan said that Well Fargo is cutting jobs as higher borrowing costs slow refinancings and new home purchases fail to compensate for the decline; and that the Company may originate about $80 billion in home loans in Q3 2013, reflecting a 29% QoQ decline. The Full Research Report on Wells Fargo & Company - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/d00c_WFC]

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MasterCard Incorporated Research Report

On September 16, 2013, MasterCard Incorporated (MasterCard) announced the release of the latest SpendingPulse^[TM]report by MasterCard Advisors. As per the report, total US retail sales for August 2013 went up by 3.9% YoY, with e-Commerce retaining its bright spot in retail sales. The report also showed that consumer spending continued to shift from bricks-and-mortar in the month, particularly in some of the key back-to-school shopping categories, such as Electronics, Department Stores and Total Apparel - all of which registered double-digit growth during the month. The only exception to this was Children's Apparel, which declined 0.2% YoY in online sales compared to an increase of 2.4% YoY for in-store Children's apparel in August 2013. Commenting on the latest findings, Sarah Quinlan, Senior Vice President, Market Insights for MasterCard Advisors said, "This month's SpendingPulse report clearly reflects that consumers are still cutting back on spend where they can and seeking the best value. In many cases, consumers found the best deals on the web. Online family apparel, for example, posted its best numbers since April, fueled by attractive promotions. But in the case of children's clothing e-tailers, which saw their first year-over-year loss since January 2012, consumers clearly chose to shop in-store, or not at all." The Full Research Report on MasterCard Incorporated - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/5205_MA]

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CME Group Inc. Research Report

On September 18, 2013, CME Group Inc. (CME Group) announced that it has filed an application to be registered as a Swap Execution Facility (SEF) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission CFTC. According to CME Group, the Company's SEF will be available over CME Direct, an online front-end trade management platform for accessing the Company's deeply liquid exchange listed and OTC energy and metals markets. The Full Research Report on CME Group Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/fc16_CME]

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Equity Residential Research Report

On September 12, 2013, Equity Residential's (Equity) Board of Trustees declared dividends on the Company's common and preferred shares. Equity reported that the common share dividend of $0.40 per share will be paid on October 11, 2013, to shareholders of record as of September 23, 2013. Additionally, Equity declared a quarterly dividend of $1.04 per share for its Series K Preferred Shares which will become payable on September 30, 2013, to shareholders of record as of September 20, 2013. The Full Research Report on Equity Residential - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/1c20_EQR]

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AFLAC Inc. Research Report

On September 16, 2013, AFLAC Inc. (Aflac) announced that it will debut its new Spanish language television commercial called, "Rehearsal" on Spanish television and radio stations in key Hispanic markets. According to the Company, the said commercial is Aflac's third Spanish language commercial in 2013 and is the final installment of the Company's "Out of Work Duck" campaign that has chronicled the Aflac Duck through an unexpected injury, recovery, and now his quest to get back to work as Aflac's famous spokesduck. Commenting on the new commercial, Aflac Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michael Zuna stated, "As the diverse Hispanic market continues to grow, we want to remind all Spanish speaking consumers about the peace of mind that Aflac policies can help provide. In Rehearsal, the Duck is trying hard to hit all the right notes, informing consumers that Aflac helps protect their finances when an unexpected accident or illness occurs." The Full Research Report on AFLAC Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/8042_AFL]

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