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Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) Competitors

Northwest Bancshares logo
$15.42 +0.11 (+0.72%)
As of 08/21/2026 04:00 PM Eastern

NWBI vs. CATY, FFBC, FRME, FULT, and HOPE

Should you buy Northwest Bancshares stock or one of its competitors? Northwest Bancshares's main competitors and comparable companies include Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), First Merchants (FRME), Fulton Financial (FULT), and Hope Bancorp (HOPE). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

How does Northwest Bancshares compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) and Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ:CATY) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations and risk.

66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, indicating that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.86, indicating that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Cathay General Bancorp had 1 more articles in the media than Northwest Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp and 4 mentions for Northwest Bancshares. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.63 beat Northwest Bancshares' score of 0.91 indicating that Cathay General Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Northwest Bancshares
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Cathay General Bancorp
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive

Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 29.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend.

Northwest Bancshares presently has a consensus target price of $15.80, indicating a potential upside of 2.46%. Cathay General Bancorp has a consensus target price of $62.25, indicating a potential downside of 0.08%. Given Northwest Bancshares' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Northwest Bancshares is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00

Cathay General Bancorp has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Bancshares. Cathay General Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Northwest Bancshares$701.17M3.22$126.01M$1.0314.97
Cathay General Bancorp$1.38B3.00$315.12M$5.1212.17

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 24.66% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.71% beat Northwest Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Northwest Bancshares16.26% 10.25% 1.15%
Cathay General Bancorp 24.66%11.71%1.43%

Summary

Cathay General Bancorp beats Northwest Bancshares on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Bancshares compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

First Financial Bancorp. (NASDAQ:FFBC) and Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, media sentiment, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, analyst recommendations and earnings.

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.92, meaning that its stock price is 8% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, meaning that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

First Financial Bancorp. has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Bancshares. First Financial Bancorp. is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Financial Bancorp.$996.38M3.48$255.60M$2.8311.67
Northwest Bancshares$701.17M3.22$126.01M$1.0314.97

First Financial Bancorp. presently has a consensus price target of $33.67, indicating a potential upside of 1.93%. Northwest Bancshares has a consensus price target of $15.80, indicating a potential upside of 2.46%. Given Northwest Bancshares' higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Northwest Bancshares is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

In the previous week, Northwest Bancshares had 3 more articles in the media than First Financial Bancorp.. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Northwest Bancshares and 1 mentions for First Financial Bancorp.. First Financial Bancorp.'s average media sentiment score of 1.76 beat Northwest Bancshares' score of 0.91 indicating that First Financial Bancorp. is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Financial Bancorp.
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Northwest Bancshares
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat Northwest Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Financial Bancorp.20.77% 11.13% 1.49%
Northwest Bancshares 16.26%10.25%1.15%

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats Northwest Bancshares on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Bancshares compare to First Merchants?

First Merchants (NASDAQ:FRME) and Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, earnings, profitability, valuation, media sentiment, institutional ownership and analyst recommendations.

First Merchants has a net margin of 17.05% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. Northwest Bancshares' return on equity of 10.25% beat First Merchants' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
First Merchants17.05% 8.86% 1.12%
Northwest Bancshares 16.26%10.25%1.15%

First Merchants pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. First Merchants pays out 47.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. First Merchants has increased its dividend for 13 consecutive years.

First Merchants has a beta of 0.84, meaning that its stock price is 16% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, meaning that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

First Merchants currently has a consensus target price of $49.00, indicating a potential upside of 16.58%. Northwest Bancshares has a consensus target price of $15.80, indicating a potential upside of 2.46%. Given First Merchants' stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe First Merchants is more favorable than Northwest Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
First Merchants
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

First Merchants has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Bancshares. First Merchants is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
First Merchants$1.05B2.51$226M$3.1213.47
Northwest Bancshares$701.17M3.22$126.01M$1.0314.97

In the previous week, First Merchants had 3 more articles in the media than Northwest Bancshares. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for First Merchants and 4 mentions for Northwest Bancshares. First Merchants' average media sentiment score of 1.02 beat Northwest Bancshares' score of 0.91 indicating that First Merchants is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
First Merchants
4 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Northwest Bancshares
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

73.9% of First Merchants shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.8% of First Merchants shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

First Merchants beats Northwest Bancshares on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Bancshares compare to Fulton Financial?

Fulton Financial (NASDAQ:FULT) and Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, media sentiment, valuation, risk and earnings.

72.0% of Fulton Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Fulton Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Fulton Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. Fulton Financial pays out 36.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Fulton Financial has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years.

In the previous week, Northwest Bancshares had 3 more articles in the media than Fulton Financial. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Northwest Bancshares and 1 mentions for Fulton Financial. Fulton Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.82 beat Northwest Bancshares' score of 0.91 indicating that Fulton Financial is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Fulton Financial
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Northwest Bancshares
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Fulton Financial has a beta of 0.79, suggesting that its share price is 21% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its share price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

Fulton Financial has a net margin of 20.63% compared to Northwest Bancshares' net margin of 16.26%. Fulton Financial's return on equity of 12.68% beat Northwest Bancshares' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Fulton Financial20.63% 12.68% 1.30%
Northwest Bancshares 16.26%10.25%1.15%

Fulton Financial has higher revenue and earnings than Northwest Bancshares. Fulton Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Fulton Financial$1.89B2.38$391.61M$2.0911.31
Northwest Bancshares$701.17M3.22$126.01M$1.0314.97

Fulton Financial currently has a consensus target price of $24.75, suggesting a potential upside of 4.70%. Northwest Bancshares has a consensus target price of $15.80, suggesting a potential upside of 2.46%. Given Fulton Financial's higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Fulton Financial is more favorable than Northwest Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Fulton Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

Summary

Fulton Financial beats Northwest Bancshares on 12 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Northwest Bancshares compare to Hope Bancorp?

Hope Bancorp (NASDAQ:HOPE) and Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ:NWBI) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, media sentiment, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Hope Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $15.50, indicating a potential upside of 10.95%. Northwest Bancshares has a consensus price target of $15.80, indicating a potential upside of 2.46%. Given Hope Bancorp's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Hope Bancorp is more favorable than Northwest Bancshares.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Hope Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.60
Northwest Bancshares
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

Northwest Bancshares has a net margin of 16.26% compared to Hope Bancorp's net margin of 12.53%. Northwest Bancshares' return on equity of 10.25% beat Hope Bancorp's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Hope Bancorp12.53% 5.71% 0.70%
Northwest Bancshares 16.26%10.25%1.15%

Northwest Bancshares has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Hope Bancorp. Hope Bancorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Northwest Bancshares, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Hope Bancorp$967.63M1.85$61.59M$1.0013.97
Northwest Bancshares$701.17M3.22$126.01M$1.0314.97

Hope Bancorp has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Northwest Bancshares has a beta of 0.68, suggesting that its stock price is 32% less volatile than the broader market.

Hope Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.0%. Northwest Bancshares pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. Hope Bancorp pays out 56.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Northwest Bancshares pays out 77.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

84.0% of Hope Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 66.3% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by institutional investors. 2.3% of Hope Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of Northwest Bancshares shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

In the previous week, Northwest Bancshares had 3 more articles in the media than Hope Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 4 mentions for Northwest Bancshares and 1 mentions for Hope Bancorp. Northwest Bancshares' average media sentiment score of 0.91 beat Hope Bancorp's score of 0.00 indicating that Northwest Bancshares is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Hope Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Northwest Bancshares
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Northwest Bancshares beats Hope Bancorp on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding NWBI and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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NWBI vs. The Competition

MetricNorthwest BancsharesBanks IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$2.26B$22.36B$13.63B$12.85B
Dividend Yield5.23%3.18%5.89%11.08%
P/E Ratio14.9727.5729.6124.25
Price / Sales3.229.32521.62101.75
Price / Cash13.1516.0638.1953.99
Price / Book1.171.362.186.20
Net Income$126.01M$2.58B$1.31B$348.59M
7 Day Performance-2.10%-1.08%-0.30%0.08%
1 Month Performance0.85%2.22%2.37%3.88%
1 Year Performance21.99%22.90%9.68%16.98%

Northwest Bancshares Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
NWBI
Northwest Bancshares
3.0972 of 5 stars
$15.42
+0.7%
$15.80
+2.5%
+22.0%$2.26B$701.17M14.972,233
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
3.8243 of 5 stars
$63.70
+0.5%
$62.25
-2.3%
+24.2%$4.27B$1.38B12.441,268
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
3.16 of 5 stars
$34.00
+1.2%
$33.67
-1.0%
+24.4%$3.57B$996.38M12.012,199
FRME
First Merchants
4.8558 of 5 stars
$42.77
+0.8%
$49.00
+14.6%
+0.7%$2.69B$1.05B13.712,086
FULT
Fulton Financial
3.6535 of 5 stars
$24.27
+1.1%
$24.75
+2.0%
+20.4%$4.64B$1.37B11.613,400

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This page (NASDAQ:NWBI) was last updated on 8/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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