Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF) Shares Bought by KBC Group NV

KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF - Free Report) by 10.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 439,654 shares of the bank's stock after purchasing an additional 41,758 shares during the quarter. KBC Group NV's holdings in Regions Financial were worth $9,554,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of RF. Convergence Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Regions Financial in the 1st quarter worth approximately $283,000. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Regions Financial by 0.9% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 2,428,091 shares of the bank's stock valued at $52,762,000 after purchasing an additional 21,169 shares during the period. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Regions Financial by 7.7% during the 1st quarter. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. now owns 58,277 shares of the bank's stock worth $1,167,000 after buying an additional 4,144 shares in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in Regions Financial by 11.7% during the 1st quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 851,206 shares of the bank's stock worth $18,233,000 after acquiring an additional 89,106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Achmea Investment Management B.V. increased its holdings in Regions Financial by 47.4% during the first quarter. Achmea Investment Management B.V. now owns 112,657 shares of the bank's stock valued at $2,448,000 after buying an additional 36,232 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.39% of the company's stock.

Regions Financial Trading Up 1.0%

Shares of NYSE:RF traded up $0.25 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $24.80. 2,009,914 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 8,352,989. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $21.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $22.36. The stock has a market cap of $22.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 0.98. Regions Financial Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $17.74 and a fifty-two week high of $27.96. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.83.

Regions Financial (NYSE:RF - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 17th. The bank reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.51 by $0.03. Regions Financial had a net margin of 21.43% and a return on equity of 13.04%. The business had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.37 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Regions Financial Corporation will post 2.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Regions Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Investors of record on Friday, May 2nd were issued a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.03%. Regions Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.08%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on RF shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Regions Financial from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Morgan Stanley cut their price target on shares of Regions Financial from $29.00 to $22.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 7th. Cowen began coverage on Regions Financial in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company. Stephens reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $24.00 price target on shares of Regions Financial in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Regions Financial from $28.00 to $26.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $25.90.

Regions Financial Profile

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.