Zions (ZION) Q4 Earnings Beat Estimates, Revenues Improve Y/Y

Zions Bancorporation’s ZION fourth-quarter 2020 net earnings per share of $1.66 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.01. Moreover, the reported figure represents a rise of 71.1% from the year-ago quarter’s number.

Results for the quarter were aided by an increase in non-interest income and lower expenses. Moreover, the company recorded negative provision for credit losses, which was a major positive. However, a decline in net interest income (NII) was an undermining factor.

Net income attributable to common shareholders was $275 million, up from the prior-year quarter’s $174 million.

For 2020, net earnings per share of $3.02 surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.38. However, the figure declined 27.4% year over year. Net income attributable to common shareholders was $505 million, down from $782 million recorded a year ago.

Revenues Improve Marginally, Expenses Decline

Net revenues for the reported quarter (on a taxable-equivalent basis) were $723 million, up marginally year over year. Also, the top line surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $701 million.

For the year, net revenues of $2.82 billion declined 1.5% from the previous year. However, the figure outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.80 billion.

Quarterly NII (taxable equivalent) was $557 million, down 1.6% from the prior-year quarter. Net interest margin contracted 51 basis points (bps) year over year to 2.95%.

Non-interest income amounted to $166 million, up 9.2% from the year-ago quarter. The increase was driven by a rise in total customer-related fees, fair value and non-hedge derivative income, and net securities gains.

Adjusted non-interest expenses were $423 million, declining 2.8% from the prior-year quarter.

Efficiency ratio was 60.2%, down from 61.3% reported in the prior-year period. A fall in efficiency ratio indicates higher profitability.

Balance Sheet Strong

As of Dec 31, 2020, net loans held for investment were $52.7 billion, down from $53.9 billion recorded at the end of the prior quarter. Total deposits were $69.7 billion, up from $67.1 billion recorded at the end of third-quarter 2020.

Credit Quality: Mixed Bag

The ratio of non-performing assets to loans and leases as well as other real estate owned expanded 18 bps year over year to 0.69%.

However, net loan and lease charge-offs were $15 million at the end of the reported quarter compared with $22 million witnessed in the year-earlier quarter. Also, provision for credit losses was a negative $67 million against a positive $4 million reported in the year-earlier quarter.

Capital Ratios Mixed, Profitability Ratios Improve

Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.3% as of Dec 31, 2020, compared with 9.2% recorded at the end of the prior-year quarter. Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 11.8% increased from 11.2% recorded in the prior-year quarter end.

At the end of the December quarter, return on average assets was 1.41%, up from 1.04% as of Dec 31, 2019. Also, return on average tangible common equity was 17.8%, up from 11.8% witnessed in the year-ago quarter.

Our Viewpoint

Zions’ strong balance-sheet position along with its business simplifying efforts bode well for the future. However, given the near-zero interest rate environment, the company’s margins are expected to continue to remain under pressure.

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Zions Bancorporation, N.A. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Quote

Currently, Zions carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Earnings Schedule of Other Banks

KeyCorp KEY and SVB Financial Group SIVB are scheduled to release results tomorrow. East West Bancorp EWBC is scheduled to announce quarterly numbers on Jan 28.

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