Regions Financial Co. (NYSE:RF) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Regions Financial Co. (NYSE:RF – Get Rating) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totalling 22,150,000 shares, a growth of 26.4% from the April 15th total of 17,520,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 10,040,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.2 days. Currently, 2.4% of the shares of the company are short sold.

RF opened at $19.93 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $18.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.55 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 0.82 and a current ratio of 0.83. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $21.57 and its 200 day moving average is $22.75. Regions Financial has a fifty-two week low of $18.02 and a fifty-two week high of $25.57.

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF – Get Rating) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 22nd. The bank reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.47 by $0.08. Regions Financial had a return on equity of 14.96% and a net margin of 36.85%. The firm had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.63 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down .3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Regions Financial will post 2.22 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.17 per share. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.41%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 2nd. Regions Financial’s payout ratio is currently 28.33%.

Several research analysts have issued reports on RF shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised Regions Financial from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $24.00 to $26.00 in a research report on Monday, April 11th. Citigroup reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Regions Financial in a report on Thursday, March 24th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Regions Financial in a report on Thursday, March 31st. They set a “hold” rating for the company. Wolfe Research cut shares of Regions Financial from an “outperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating and dropped their price target for the stock from $29.00 to $24.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Regions Financial from $31.00 to $30.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, March 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Regions Financial currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $26.27.

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mystic Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Regions Financial during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Delos Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Regions Financial during the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. DeDora Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Regions Financial in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Riverview Trust Co purchased a new position in shares of Regions Financial in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Finally, Tcwp LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regions Financial in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.90% of the company’s stock.

Regions Financial Company Profile (Get Rating)

Regions Financial Corporation, a financial holding company, provides banking and bank-related services to individual and corporate customers. It operates through three segments: Corporate Bank, Consumer Bank, and Wealth Management. The Corporate Bank segment offers commercial banking services, such as commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and investor real estate lending; equipment lease financing; deposit products; and securities underwriting and placement, loan syndication and placement, foreign exchange, derivatives, merger and acquisition, and other advisory services.

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