FHN vs ZION

For growth investors, Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION) is the stronger pick with 8.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 1. 0% for First Horizon Corporation (FHN). Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION) offers the better valuation at 12. 8x trailing P/E (9. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate First Horizon Corporation (FHN) a "Hold" — based on 35 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION) is the cheapest at 12.

8x versus First Horizon Corporation at 13. 2x. On forward P/E, Zions Bancorporation, National Association is actually cheaper at 9. 8x.

Over the past 5 years, First Horizon Corporation (FHN) delivered a total return of +48.

6%, compared to +22. 5% for Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ZION returned +193. 7% versus FHN's +121. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), First Horizon Corporation (FHN) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

10β versus Zions Bancorporation, National Association's 1. 37β — meaning ZION is approximately 25% more volatile than FHN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, First Horizon Corporation (FHN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 50% versus 71% for Zions Bancorporation, National Association — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION) is pulling ahead at 8.

0% versus 1. 0% for First Horizon Corporation (FHN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: First Horizon Corporation grew EPS 38. 2% year-over-year, compared to 13. 8% for Zions Bancorporation, National Association. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

First Horizon Corporation (FHN) is the more profitable company, earning 19.

7% net margin versus 15. 7% for Zions Bancorporation, National Association — meaning it keeps 19. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FHN leads at 25. 7% versus 20. 3% for ZION. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FHN leads at 67. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION) trades at 9.

8x forward P/E versus 11. 6x for First Horizon Corporation — 1. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for FHN: 13. 0% to $28. 00.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Zions Bancorporation, National Association (ZION) offers the highest yield at 2. 7%, versus 2. 6% for First Horizon Corporation (FHN).

For long-horizon retirement investors, First Horizon Corporation (FHN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

10), 2. 6% yield, +121. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FHN: +121. 4%, ZION: +193. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.