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Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (ZION) Hits Fresh High: Is There Still Room to Run?

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Have you been paying attention to shares of Zions (ZION - Free Report) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 25.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $60.41 in the previous session. Zions has gained 37.6% since the start of the year compared to the 24.1% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 30.7% return for the Zacks Banks - West industry.

What's Driving the Outperformance?

The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 21, 2024, Zions reported EPS of $1.37 versus consensus estimate of $1.16.

For the current fiscal year, Zions is expected to post earnings of $4.82 per share on $3.12 billion in revenues. This represents a -0.82% change in EPS on a -1.2% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $4.88 per share on $3.24 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 1.16% and 3.84%, respectively.

Valuation Metrics

Zions may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.

On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.

Zions has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are D and B, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.

In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 12.5X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is not in-line with the peer industry average of 13.4X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 10X versus its peer group's average of 10.4X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 5.37. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.

Zacks Rank

We also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Zions currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.

Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Zions passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Zions shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.

How Does ZION Stack Up to the Competition?

Shares of ZION have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Coastal Financial Corporation (CCB - Free Report) . CCB has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of B, and a Momentum Score of D.

Earnings were strong last quarter. Coastal Financial Corporation beat our consensus estimate by 1.04%, and for the current fiscal year, CCB is expected to post earnings of $5.77 per share on revenue of $586 million.

Shares of Coastal Financial Corporation have gained 31.8% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 20.4X and a P/CF of 20.12X.

The Banks - West industry is in the top 37% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for ZION and CCB, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.


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