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CFG vs RF
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Citizens Financial Group (CFG) vs. Regions Financial (RF) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Citizens Financial Group (CFG) delivered Q1 2026 EPS (earnings per share) growth of 47% year-over-year (YoY), outpacing Regions Financial (RF)'s more modest results.
- CFG shares have risen about 12% year-to-date (YTD), compared to roughly 5.5% for RF, reflecting stronger recent momentum.
- Both regional banks benefited from net interest margin (NIM) stability amid recent market activity, but CFG expanded NIM to 3.14%.
- CFG showed 12% revenue growth in Q1, surpassing RF's 5% increase.
- Over the past six months, CFG gained 23%, outperforming the S&P 500, while RF trailed in relative performance.
Introduction
Citizens Financial Group (CFG) and Regions Financial (RF) are prominent regional banks navigating a dynamic interest rate environment and economic shifts. This stock comparison evaluates their recent performance, earnings results, and market positioning, offering insights for investors focused on financial sector exposure. Traders seeking relative strength in banking stocks or those diversifying portfolios amid sector volatility may find value in contrasting their growth drivers, risk profiles, and momentum. With both companies reporting solid Q1 2026 results, understanding these dynamics aids informed decision-making in today's market.
CFG Overview and Recent Performance
Citizens Financial Group (CFG), a major regional bank with a strong Northeast presence and growing national consumer lending platform, has demonstrated robust performance in recent market activity. In Q1 2026, the company reported net income of $517 million, up 39% YoY, with EPS of $1.13, reflecting 47% growth. Revenue rose 12% YoY, supported by net interest income (NII) expansion and a NIM increase to 3.14%, up 7 basis points from the prior quarter. Shares have climbed around 12% YTD and 23% over the past six months, outperforming broader indices amid positive operating leverage and fee income gains. Sentiment has improved on strategic initiatives and earnings beats, though analysts note caution on slower long-term growth metrics.
RF Overview and Recent Performance
Regions Financial (RF), a Southeast-focused regional bank emphasizing commercial and consumer lending, posted steady results in recent quarters. Q1 2026 earnings reached $539 million, with diluted EPS of $0.62, alongside 5% total revenue growth and NII of $1.25 billion. Despite a slight revenue miss versus expectations, loan growth and improved credit metrics bolstered performance. The stock has advanced approximately 5.5% YTD and 10-12% over the past month, driven by digital initiatives and stable deposit betas. Market sentiment reflects optimism on organic growth but tempered by competitive pressures and NIM compression risks in recent weeks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CFG and RF operate as regional banks with core businesses in lending and deposits, but CFG emphasizes national consumer platforms while RF focuses on Southeast commercial growth. Growth drivers differ: CFG benefits from superior fee income and NIM expansion, contrasting RF's loan momentum amid deposit stability. Recent momentum favors CFG with higher YTD and six-month gains, though RF shows lower volatility (6.44% vs. 7.10%). Risk factors include interest rate sensitivity and credit quality for both, with sector exposure tied to regional economies. Market sentiment leans positive for CFG post-earnings, while RF trades at a relative discount on valuation metrics.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models currently lean toward CFG in this matchup, citing consistent trend strength, superior Q1 earnings growth, and outperformance in recent market activity. Factors like NIM expansion and positive operating leverage enhance its relative positioning, potentially offering higher probability of continued momentum versus RF's steadier but less dynamic profile. This assessment reflects observable data trends rather than guarantees.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CFG is a StrongBuy and RF is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CFG’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileRF’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- CFG’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- RF’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CFG’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RF’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CFG’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- RF’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CFG (@Regional Banks) experienced а +2.01% price change this week, while RF (@Regional Banks) price change was +0.52% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was +0.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +4.37%, and the average quarterly price growth was +12.10%.
Reported Earning Dates
CFG is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
RF is expected to report earnings on Jul 17, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (+0.31% weekly)Regional banks have a smaller reach than major banks, and cater mostly to one region of a country, such as a state or within a group of states. They offer services often similar – albeit with some limitations/smaller scale – compared to major banks. Taking deposits, making loans, mortgages, leases, credit cards , fund management, insurance and investment banking. SunTrust Banks, State Street Corp., M&T Bank Corp. are some examples of U.S. regional banks.
| CFG | RF | CFG / RF | |
| Capitalization | 28.8B | 24.5B | 118% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 18.062 | 8.132 | 222% |
| P/E Ratio | 16.11 | 11.93 | 135% |
| Revenue | 8.48B | 7.62B | 111% |
| Total Cash | 12.7B | 3.45B | 369% |
| Total Debt | 12.3B | 5.14B | 239% |
CFG | RF | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 20 | 19 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 55 Fair valued | 33 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 46 | 42 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 9 | 9 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 16 | 25 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 43 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
RF's Valuation (33) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as CFG (55) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that RF’s stock grew similarly to CFG’s over the last 12 months.
RF's Profit vs Risk Rating (42) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as CFG (46) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that RF’s stock grew similarly to CFG’s over the last 12 months.
RF's SMR Rating (9) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as CFG (9) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that RF’s stock grew similarly to CFG’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's Price Growth Rating (16) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as RF (25) in the Major Banks industry. This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to RF’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's P/E Growth Rating (34) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as RF (43) in the Major Banks industry. This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to RF’s over the last 12 months.
| CFG | RF | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 63% | 1 day ago 67% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 69% | 1 day ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 67% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 67% | 1 day ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 1 day ago 58% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 64% | 11 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 22 days ago 61% | 5 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 52% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 57% | 1 day ago 54% |
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RF and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RF has been closely correlated with KEY. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RF jumps, then KEY could also see price increases.