Valley National Bancorp (VLY) is higher today after reporting first-quarter 2026 results that came in ahead of expectations, prompting renewed buying interest in the regional bank group. The company reported net income of $163.9 million, equal to $0.28 per diluted common share (and $0.29 on an adjusted basis), reinforcing a narrative that earnings power is stabilizing as funding costs and pricing pressure are managed more tightly. (globenewswire.com)

Beyond the headline profit, the release highlighted disciplined deposit pricing and steady loan growth as major drivers of the quarter’s performance, which matters for banks in a rate-sensitive environment where funding costs can erode margins quickly. The year-over-year comparison in the release showed materially higher profit versus the first quarter of 2025, supporting the view that Valley’s earnings trajectory has improved. (globenewswire.com)

Investors will look for follow-through in margin and funding-cost trends, plus any incremental guidance updates tied to loan growth and credit performance as 2026 progresses. Separately, Valley has also approved a new share repurchase authorization for up to 25 million shares that becomes effective April 27, 2026, which can provide an additional technical tailwind if buybacks ramp after the prior program expires. (tradingview.com)