August's 5 Worst-Performing Big Bank Stocks

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- After a recovery in July for most stocks of large bank holding companies, August was dismal, as 49 of the 50 largest public U.S. bank and thrift holding companies saw their share prices decline.

Here are the worst stock performers among the group during August:

Company Profile

Zions Bancorporation (ZION) is based in Salt Lake City and operates over 490 branches throughout the Western U.S. and in Texas. The company's shares declined 17% in August to close-out the month at $18.42.

Income Statement

The company reported a second-quarter loss to common shareholders of $135.2 million or 84 cents a share, following a first-quarter loss of $86.5 million, or 57 cents a share, and a net loss to common shareholders of $23.8 million, or 21 cents a share, for the second quarter of 2009.

The decline in earnings from the first quarter reflected an increase in interest expense tied a security swap with Deutsche Bank (DB), meant to lower Zions credit risk and increase its regulatory capital ratios.

Balance Sheet

Zions Bancorporation had $52 billion in total assets as of June 30. Nonperforming assets -- loans past due 90 days or more or in nonaccrual status (less government-guaranteed balances) and repossessed real estate -- comprised 5.19% of assets as of June 30. In comparison, the U.S. banking industry's aggregate "noncurrent assets" ratio was 3.31% according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Zions reported a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 11.80% and a total risk-based capital ratio of 15.25% as of June 30, well above the 5% and 10% required for most banks to be considered well capitalized by regulators.

The company owes the government $1.4 billion for bailout funds received through the Troubled Assets Relief Program, or TARP.

Stock Ratios

Zions Bancorporation's shares are trading at 0.9 times book value. Among analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, the consensus is for the company to return to profitability in 2011, earning 50 cents a share, followed by earnings of $2.00 a share in 2012. The price-to-earnings ratio based on the 2011 is 38, but the shares trade at just 9 times the 2012 estimate.

Analyst Ratings

Out of 22 analysts covering Zions Bancorporation, 18 recommend holding the shares and four have buy ratings.

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