Regions Financial Corporation (RF): Today's Featured Banking Winner

Editor's Note: TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

Regions Financial Corporation (RF) pushed the Banking industry higher today making it today's featured banking winner. The industry as a whole closed the day down 0.1%. By the end of trading, Regions Financial Corporation rose 37 cents (5.1%) to $7.65 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 43.6 million shares of Regions Financial Corporation exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 17.4 million shares. The stock ranged in a price between $7.29-$7.70 after having opened the day at $7.30 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $7.28. Other companies within the Banking industry that increased today were: Porter Bancorp (PBIB), up 15.4%, VelocityShares 3x Inverse Crude ETN (DWTI), up 12.3%, Southern Connecticut Bancorp (SSE), up 11.3%, and Credit Suisse (DOIL), up 11.2%.

• ACTIVE STOCK TRADERS: Get full access to Jim Cramer's thoughts for less than $3/week - sometimes before he says them on TV! Start with a 14-Day Free Trial.

Regions Financial Corporation operates as the holding company for Regions Bank that provides a range of commercial, retail, and mortgage banking services in the United States. Regions Financial Corporation has a market cap of $10.44 billion and is part of the financial sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 24.6, above the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 69.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday. Currently there are seven analysts that rate Regions Financial Corporation a buy, two analysts rate it a sell, and 12 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Regions Financial Corporation as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, expanding profit margins, solid stock price performance and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow.

• You can view the full Regions Financial Ratings Report.

• Use our banking section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the banking industry could consider KBW Bank ETF (KBE) while those bearish on the banking industry could consider ProShares Short KBW Regional Bankng (KRS).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

FREE from Real Money's Jim Cramer: Winners and Losers Election 2012 - Steps to take NOW so you can profit no matter who is in charge! Free download now.

For more information on Regions Financial Corporation click any of the following:

• Regions Financial Corporation Stock Price

• Regions Financial Corporation Analyst Ratings

• Regions Financial Corporation Key Stats & Profile

• Regions Financial Corporation Earnings

• Regions Financial Corporation Ratio Comparison

• Regions Financial Corporation Growth Rates

• Regions Financial Corporation Balance Sheet

• Regions Financial Corporation Cash Flow

• Regions Financial Corporation Income Statement