Back to top

Image: Bigstock

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: SunTrust Banks, Capital One, Fifth Third Bancorp and Regions Financial

Read MoreHide Full Article

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Jan 30, 2018 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include SunTrust Banks (STI - Free Report) , Capital One (COF - Free Report) , Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB - Free Report) and Regions Financial (RF - Free Report) .

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Bank Stock Roundup: Sweeping Up Q4 Earnings

Most banks that reported fourth-quarter 2017 results last week managed to record bottom-line improvement on top-line strength. This also led to positive price movement for most bank stocks over the last six trading days.

In addition to the benefits from higher interest rates, the results mirrored a marginal upswing in loans driven primarily by consumer loans. Moreover, eased margin pressure acted favorably. Further, the rise in deposit balances helped steer the banks’ organic growth.

However, mortgage banking business remained weak. Also, though banks recorded significant one-time charge related to the tax overhaul, legal expenses remained under control. Additionally, expected future benefits of the tax reform kept investors optimistic.

(Read: Bank Stock Roundup for the week ending Jan 19, 2018)

Important Earnings of the Week

1. SunTrust Banks' fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $1.09 per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.05. Also, the figure was up 21% year over year. Results were primarily driven by a rise in revenues (supported by higher interest rates), stable adjusted expenses and lower provision for credit losses. In addition, improving asset quality was a tailwind.

Nevertheless, a decline in loan and deposit balances was the undermining factor. After considering one-time discrete gains, including tax reform-related benefit, net income available to common shareholders was $710 million, up 58% from the prior-year quarter. (Read more: SunTrust Beats on Q4 Earnings as Revenues Improve)

2. Capital One’s fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.62 per share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.83. However, the figure compared favorably with the year-ago quarter’s earnings of $1.58. Results benefited from a rise in revenues and easing margin pressure. Also, the quarter witnessed a rise in loan and deposit balances.

An increase in provisions and expenses were the undermining factors. After taking into consideration charges related to the tax act and other non-recurring items, net loss for the quarter was $971 million or $2.17 per share. (Read more: Capital One Q4 Earnings Miss, Costs Up)

3. Fifth Third Bancorp reported fourth-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings per share of 52 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents. The adjusted figure excludes the impact of tax legislation, gain on the sale of Vantiv shares and charge related to the valuation of the Visa total return swap. Results reflect increase in net interest income with strong capital position as a tailwind.

However, lower non-interest income and increase in provisions for loan losses were the undermining factors. After considering the impact of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and non-recurring items, net income available to common shareholders came in at $486 million or 67 cents per share. (Read more: Fifth Third Beats on Q4 Earnings, Fee Income Declines)

4. Driven by top-line strength, Regions Financial recorded an impressive earnings surprise of 3.8% in fourth-quarter 2017. Reported earnings of 27 cents per share outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents. Furthermore, results compared favorably with the year-earlier quarter’s earnings of 23 cents. Results included certain one-time items of 7 cents per share. Easing margin pressure and higher revenues were the positive factors. Moreover, credit quality recorded significant improvement.

Nevertheless, lower loans and deposits balance were the undermining factors. In addition, expenses escalated. (Read more: Regions Financial's Q4 Earnings Beat on High Revenues)

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1 Stock of the Day pick for free.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com/

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.