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CFG vs ZION
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Citizens Financial Group (CFG) vs. Zions Bancorporation (ZION) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both CFG and ZION delivered Q1 2026 earnings beats in recent weeks, supporting share gains amid regional banking sector recovery.
- CFG outperforms with 12% YTD return versus ZION's 8%, reflecting stronger momentum.
- ZION offers higher return on equity (ROE, a measure of profitability relative to shareholders' equity) at 14% compared to CFG's 8%.
- CFG's larger market cap of $28 billion dwarfs ZION's $9 billion, indicating greater scale.
- Recent six-month gains stand at 23% for CFG and 21% for ZION, with both showing monthly rises around 10-12%.
Introduction
CFG and ZION are prominent regional banks navigating a dynamic interest rate environment and economic shifts. This comparison highlights their business models, recent performance, and market positioning, aiding investors interested in sector exposure. Traders seeking momentum plays or value opportunities in financials may find insights here, particularly as both stocks have responded positively to earnings amid broader banking sector trends. With distinct footprints—CFG in the Northeast and ZION in the West—their relative performance offers a lens into regional dynamics and growth potential.
CFG Overview and Recent Performance
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (CFG) is a major regional bank offering retail and commercial banking services, primarily in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S., with roots dating back to 1828. Its business emphasizes consumer lending, deposits, and business solutions. In recent market activity, CFG shares have climbed, with YTD gains of 12% and a robust 80% over the past year, driven by a Q1 2026 EPS beat of $1.13 versus expectations. Sentiment has improved on steady revenue growth to $7.9 billion (trailing twelve months, or TTM) and a dividend yield near 2.8%, though analysts note caution amid slower growth metrics. Monthly performance shows an 11.65% rise, reflecting positive response to earnings and sector tailwinds.
ZION Overview and Recent Performance
Zions Bancorporation, N.A. (ZION) operates as a collection of community-focused banks across the Western and Southwestern U.S., providing commercial banking, small business services, and wealth management with about $89 billion in assets. Its decentralized model emphasizes local decision-making. Recent weeks have seen ZION shares advance, posting 8% YTD and 44% one-year returns, bolstered by a Q1 2026 EPS of $1.56 that exceeded forecasts by 9%. Key influences include strong profitability with 28% profit margins and ROE of 14%, alongside a 2.9% dividend yield. Shares rose about 10% over the recent month, supported by earnings momentum despite broader sector pressures.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CFG and ZION focus on regional banking with deposit and lending operations, but CFG's centralized model targets larger retail/commercial segments in the East, while ZION's federated structure prioritizes community banking in the West. Growth drivers differ: CFG benefits from scale and revenue expansion, versus ZION's efficiency edge shown in higher ROE and margins. Recent momentum favors CFG with superior YTD and weekly gains, though ZION trades at a lower P/E (9.7 vs. 15.4), suggesting value. Risk profiles reflect ZION's lower beta (0.8), indicating less volatility, amid shared exposure to interest rates and credit cycles. Market sentiment leans positive for both post-earnings, with analysts eyeing upside.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently favors CFG over ZION, based on stronger trend consistency, higher YTD relative performance, and greater analyst price targets implying more upside potential. While ZION excels in profitability metrics, CFG's momentum and scale position it better for near-term outperformance in the regional banking sector.
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 disclaimer.
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 ZION 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 whileZION’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- CFG’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- ZION’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 ZION’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CFG’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- ZION’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
CFG (@Regional Banks) experienced а +0.45% price change this week, while ZION (@Regional Banks) price change was -0.27% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was +1.44%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.98%, and the average quarterly price growth was +18.36%.
Reported Earning Dates
CFG is expected to report earnings on Jul 16, 2026.
ZION is expected to report earnings on Jul 20, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (+1.44% 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 | ZION | CFG / ZION | |
| Capitalization | 30B | 10.2B | 294% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 23.254 | 19.863 | 117% |
| P/E Ratio | 16.11 | 10.42 | 155% |
| Revenue | 8.48B | 3.44B | 247% |
| Total Cash | 12.7B | 683M | 1,859% |
| Total Debt | 12.3B | 1.96B | 627% |
CFG | ZION | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 55 Fair valued | 64 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 43 | 72 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 9 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 11 | 14 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 44 | |
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.
CFG's Valuation (55) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (64). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's Profit vs Risk Rating (43) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (72). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's SMR Rating (9) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (13). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's Price Growth Rating (11) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (14). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
CFG's P/E Growth Rating (34) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (44). This means that CFG’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
| CFG | ZION | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 58% | 4 days ago 69% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 71% | 4 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 70% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 61% | 4 days ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 64% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 64% | 4 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 11 days ago 65% | 13 days ago 67% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | N/A | 18 days ago 68% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 60% | 4 days ago 78% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 57% | 4 days ago 63% |
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ZION and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ZION has been closely correlated with FNB. These tickers have moved in lockstep 90% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ZION jumps, then FNB could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ZION | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZION | 100% | N/A | ||
| FNB - ZION | 90% Closely correlated | -2.06% | ||
| ONB - ZION | 88% Closely correlated | N/A | ||
| CFG - ZION | 87% Closely correlated | -1.17% | ||
| KEY - ZION | 87% Closely correlated | -0.99% | ||
| ASB - ZION | 86% Closely correlated | -1.86% | ||
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