KeyCorp posts strong Q2 with 10% net interest income rise and $700M share buybacks boosting shares.

KeyCorp reported strong second-quarter results, with net interest income rising 10% and an improved preferred dividend coverage ratio of 7%. The bank's aggressive share buyback program, exceeding $700 million in the first half of the year, has reduced the share count and is expected to enhance per-share performance. The Series H preferred shares offer a 6.2% yield but trade at a premium due to market doubts about a 2027 call. The analyst rates Series H as a speculative buy near or below $25 par and finds the common shares increasingly attractive for investors looking for dividend and growth opportunities.