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KEY vs ZION
Which Stock Would AI Choose? KeyCorp (KEY) vs. Zions Bancorporation (ZION) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both KEY and ZION are regional banks that have delivered solid year-to-date gains amid a favorable interest-rate environment and improving credit conditions.
- ZION has outperformed KEY on a percentage basis in 2026, with stronger price appreciation and robust earnings beats in recent quarters.
- KEY reports a larger market capitalization and broader geographic footprint, supporting diversified revenue streams through commercial banking and wealth management.
- Upcoming second-quarter earnings for both companies (July 20–21, 2026) represent near-term catalysts that could influence relative momentum and sector sentiment.
- Risk factors for the pair remain similar, centered on interest-rate sensitivity, loan growth, and regulatory capital requirements such as the Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio.
- Market positioning favors banks with strong deposit franchises and low net charge-off (NCO) ratios, areas where both institutions have shown recent stability.
Introduction
Regional banks KeyCorp (KEY) and Zions Bancorporation (ZION) operate in overlapping segments of the U.S. banking industry, making them useful benchmarks for investors tracking financial-sector performance. Traders and portfolio managers often compare these names when evaluating relative value, momentum, and earnings quality within the regional-bank space. The following analysis examines recent price behavior, fundamental trends, and market positioning to help market participants understand how the two stocks have fared in the current environment.
KEY Overview and Recent Performance
KeyCorp is a Cleveland-based regional bank holding company offering commercial and retail banking, wealth management, and capital markets services across multiple states. In recent weeks, KEY shares have traded near multi-month highs, supported by a dividend declaration and new commercial partnerships. The stock rose from approximately $20.64 at the start of 2026 to around $23.55 by mid-July, reflecting an approximate 14% year-to-date gain. First-quarter results showed net income of $486 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.44, representing a 31% year-over-year increase. Analysts project second-quarter revenue of roughly $1.98 billion, an 8% increase, ahead of the July 21 earnings release. Sentiment has been bolstered by strategic initiatives in fraud protection and community engagement, though the shares remain sensitive to broader rate expectations and loan-demand trends.
ZION Overview and Recent Performance
Zions Bancorporation, headquartered in Salt Lake City, provides commercial, retail, and wealth-management services primarily across 11 western states. In recent market activity, ZION shares have posted stronger percentage gains than many peers, advancing from about $58.54 at the beginning of 2026 to approximately $72.27 by mid-July, for a year-to-date increase near 23.5%. First-quarter earnings delivered an EPS beat of $1.56 versus the $1.43 estimate, with net interest income reaching $662 million. The company is scheduled to report second-quarter results after the close on July 20. Recent recognition through multiple Coalition Greenwich awards underscores customer-service strengths in middle-market and small-business segments. Price momentum has benefited from solid deposit growth and low credit losses, though the stock, like others in the sector, remains exposed to fluctuations in net interest margins.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
KeyCorp maintains a larger balance sheet and wider national footprint compared with Zions Bancorporation’s more concentrated western-state presence, offering KEY greater diversification but also potentially higher operational complexity. Both institutions generate the majority of revenue from net interest income, yet ZION has recorded stronger year-to-date price appreciation and slightly higher recent earnings growth rates. Momentum indicators favor ZION on a relative basis, while KEY offers a larger market capitalization that may appeal to liquidity-focused investors. Risk profiles are closely aligned around interest-rate sensitivity and credit quality, with both reporting stable net charge-off ratios in recent periods. Sector exposure remains identical—regional banking—yet geographic and scale differences create distinct trade-offs for investors seeking either broader reach or concentrated regional strength.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including stronger year-to-date price momentum, consistent earnings beats, and favorable deposit trends, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probabilistic preference to ZION over KEY in the near term. Trend consistency and relative outperformance in recent market activity support this positioning, although upcoming earnings releases could alter the assessment depending on actual results versus expectations.
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 KEY is a Hold and ZION is a Hold.
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).
KEY’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileZION’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- KEY’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.
KEY’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ZION’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KEY’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
- ZION’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
KEY (@Regional Banks) experienced а -3.82% price change this week, while ZION (@Regional Banks) price change was -4.12% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was -0.57%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.43%, and the average quarterly price growth was +14.08%.
Reported Earning Dates
KEY is expected to report earnings on Oct 20, 2026.
ZION is expected to report earnings on Oct 19, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (-0.57% 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.
| KEY | ZION | KEY / ZION | |
| Capitalization | 24.3B | 10.1B | 241% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 11.923 | 20.123 | 59% |
| P/E Ratio | 13.25 | 8.83 | 150% |
| Revenue | 7.47B | 3.44B | 217% |
| Total Cash | N/A | 683M | - |
| Total Debt | 17B | 1.96B | 866% |
KEY | ZION | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 69 | 67 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 33 Fair valued | 62 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 74 | 71 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 10 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 47 | 22 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 87 | 63 | |
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.
KEY's Valuation (33) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (62) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that KEY’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
ZION's Profit vs Risk Rating (71) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as KEY (74) in the Major Banks industry. This means that ZION’s stock grew similarly to KEY’s over the last 12 months.
KEY's SMR Rating (10) in the Major Banks industry is in the same range as ZION (13) in the Regional Banks industry. This means that KEY’s stock grew similarly to ZION’s over the last 12 months.
ZION's Price Growth Rating (22) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as KEY (47) in the Major Banks industry. This means that ZION’s stock grew similarly to KEY’s over the last 12 months.
ZION's P/E Growth Rating (63) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as KEY (87) in the Major Banks industry. This means that ZION’s stock grew similarly to KEY’s over the last 12 months.
| KEY | ZION | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 74% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 70% | 2 days ago 74% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 65% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 64% | 10 days ago 69% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 5 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 62% |
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