Regions Financial Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NYSE:RF)

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Wednesday. Traders acquired 3,512 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 68% compared to the typical volume of 2,087 call options.

Regions Financial Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE RF opened at $27.57 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Regions Financial has a 52 week low of $17.74 and a 52 week high of $27.98. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $25.41 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.33. The company has a market cap of $24.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 1.04.

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 27th. The bank reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The business had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter. Regions Financial had a net margin of 22.49% and a return on equity of 13.05%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Regions Financial will post 2.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Regions Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.265 per share. This represents a $1.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.8%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, December 1st. Regions Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 46.70%.

Regions Financial declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback plan on Wednesday, December 10th that allows the company to repurchase $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the bank to buy up to 12.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Evercore ISI upped their target price on Regions Financial from $28.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on Regions Financial in a research note on Wednesday, September 10th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut Regions Financial from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, December 13th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Regions Financial in a research report on Monday. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Regions Financial from $26.00 to $29.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $28.21.

Institutional Trading of Regions Financial

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. American National Bank & Trust grew its holdings in Regions Financial by 2,433.3% during the second quarter. American National Bank & Trust now owns 1,064 shares of the bank’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 1,022 shares in the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC lifted its stake in Regions Financial by 163.2% during the 2nd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 1,058 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 656 shares in the last quarter. Darwin Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Regions Financial during the 2nd quarter worth $25,000. Bayforest Capital Ltd grew its stake in shares of Regions Financial by 637.3% in the 1st quarter. Bayforest Capital Ltd now owns 1,224 shares of the bank’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,058 shares in the last quarter. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Regions Financial in the 2nd quarter worth $30,000. 79.39% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Regions Financial Company Profile

Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE: RF) is a U.S. bank holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, that provides a broad range of banking and financial services. Its primary banking subsidiary, Regions Bank, serves retail and commercial customers through a combination of branch and ATM networks, digital channels and relationship-based delivery. The company offers deposit accounts, consumer and commercial loans, mortgage origination and servicing, and payment and treasury services.

In addition to core banking, Regions offers wealth management, trust and brokerage services, insurance solutions, and capital markets capabilities to corporate and institutional clients.