TFC

Truist Financial's Q3 2026 adjusted EPS rose 11.5% year-over-year to $1.16 but missed consensus estimates by one cent due to $1.4 billion in securities losses and higher non-interest expenses. The company benefited from record wealth management income and 3.6% deposit growth, but profitability metrics weakened significantly. Management projects Q4 revenues of $5.35B with NII of $3.65-$3.70B.

Truist Financial reported Q3 earnings of $1.16 per share, missing the consensus estimate of $1.17, and revenues of $5.19 billion, falling short of expectations by 2.19%. The stock has underperformed the S&P 500 by 18.5% year-to-date and carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating. The company's industry, Banks - Major Regional, ranks in the bottom 33% of Zacks industries.

Truist Financial (TFC) is expected to report Q3 2026 earnings of $1.17 per share, up 12.5% year-over-year, with revenues rising 2.4% to $5.31B. Net interest income is projected to increase 1% to $3.67B, supported by solid consumer loan demand and stabilizing funding costs. However, rising non-interest expenses, weakening asset quality with 16.6% growth in non-accrual loans, and modest mortgage banking income present headwinds. The company's exit from near-prime auto lending is expected to improve liquidity and funding profile.

Truist Financial (TFC) is expected to report Q3 2026 earnings of $1.17 per share, representing 12.5% year-over-year growth, with revenues projected at $5.31 billion. The company has a positive Earnings ESP of +2.67% combined with a Zacks Rank #3, suggesting a likely earnings beat. TFC has beaten consensus estimates in all four trailing quarters.

Truist Financial Corporation (TFC) has demonstrated a strong earnings-beat streak, with an average surprise of 11.99% over the last two quarters. The stock currently has a positive Earnings ESP of +0.01% combined with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggesting another potential earnings beat is likely when the company reports on October 16, 2026. Stocks with this combination historically beat consensus estimates nearly 70% of the time.

Truist Financial Corporation (TFC), formed from the 2019 merger of BB&T Corp and SunTrust Banks, is highlighted as a value stock pick with a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and VGM Score of B. The company benefits from attractive valuation metrics including a forward P/E ratio of 10.19, and three analysts revised earnings estimates upward in the last 60 days, with consensus estimates increasing to $4.62 per share for fiscal 2026.

The iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) is a passively managed fund offering diversified exposure to regional banks with a 0.37% expense ratio and 2.79% dividend yield. The ETF has gained 8.54% year-to-date and 21.64% over the past year, but carries higher risk with a beta of 0.92 and 24.97% standard deviation. It received a Zacks ETF Rank of 3 (Hold), with alternatives including FDIQ and KRE.

The article compares two banking ETFs: iShares U.S. Regional Banks ETF (IAT) and First Trust Nasdaq Bank ETF (FTXO). IAT focuses on regional banks with lower costs (0.37% expense ratio), higher dividend yield (2.9%), and better 1-year performance (17.4%), making it ideal for income-focused investors.

FTXO offers broader exposure to mega-cap banks with stronger 5-year cumulative returns (26% vs 5%) but higher costs (0.6% expense ratio). The choice depends on whether investors prioritize regional lending exposure and income or broader mega-cap bank exposure with stronger long-term growth.

Truist announced a strategic plan to exit non-core lending businesses and reallocate capital toward relationship banking. The bank agreed to sell $7.7 billion in LightStream unsecured loans and is repositioning its balance sheet by shifting from low-yielding mortgage-backed securities to U.S. Treasuries. Management is implementing spending discipline to fund growth investments in branch renovations, technology upgrades, and commercial banker hiring, with targets to achieve 15% return on tangible common equity in 2027 and 16%-18% long-term.

PNC Financial Services reported Q3 2026 adjusted EPS of $5.09, beating estimates of $4.97, with revenues of $6.56B up 10.9% YoY. The bank benefited from 15.3% NII growth, 16% loan growth, and improved efficiency ratio of 57%.

However, net loan charge-offs jumped 43.6% YoY, and the company raised 2026 guidance for loan growth and NII. The bank returned $1.4B to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

IYF and IAT offer different approaches to financial sector investing. IYF provides broad exposure to mega-cap banks, insurers, and asset managers with lower volatility and stronger 5-year returns (60% total return, 9.8% CAGR).

IAT focuses on regional banks with higher dividend yield (2.9% vs 1.5%) but greater volatility and weaker performance (5% total return, 1.1% CAGR). Both charge identical 0.37% expense ratios. IYF emerges as the better choice for most investors seeking stability and growth.

State Street reported Q3 2026 earnings of $3.69 per share, beating estimates of $3.65, with net income up 28.4% year-over-year. However, shares fell 9% pre-market due to net inflows plummeting to $7B from $114B, revenues missing estimates at $4B, and management raising 2026 expense growth guidance to 8-8.5%. The company did achieve record AUM of $6.31T and AUC/A of $59.17T.

KeyCorp is expected to report Q3 2026 earnings of $0.46 per share (up 12.2% YoY) with revenues of $2.03 billion (up 7.5% YoY) on October 20. The company has a positive Earnings ESP of +0.44% with a Zacks Rank #3, suggesting it will likely beat consensus estimates. KeyCorp has beaten EPS estimates in all four trailing quarters.