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WaFd (WAFD) Competitors

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$38.12 0.00 (0.00%)
Closing price 07/17/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$39.53 +1.41 (+3.71%)
As of 06:16 AM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

WAFD vs. ABCB, CATY, FFBC, HWC, and SFNC

Should you buy WaFd stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares WaFd with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with WaFd include Ameris Bancorp (ABCB), Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), Hancock Whitney (HWC), and Simmons First National (SFNC). These companies are all part of the "finance" sector.

How does WaFd compare to Ameris Bancorp?

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

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Ameris Bancorp's return on equity of 9.57% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.47% 8.98% 0.89%
Ameris Bancorp 21.46%9.57%1.32%

WaFd has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its share price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.91, meaning that its share price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

WaFd currently has a consensus target price of $34.80, indicating a potential downside of 8.71%. Ameris Bancorp has a consensus target price of $92.67, indicating a potential upside of 0.54%. Given Ameris Bancorp's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Ameris Bancorp is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17
Ameris Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WaFd$1.41B2.00$226.07M$3.1712.03
Ameris Bancorp$1.20B5.16$358.68M$6.3614.49

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Ameris Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ameris Bancorp pays out 12.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, WaFd had 2 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 5 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. Ameris Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.75 beat WaFd's score of 0.16 indicating that Ameris Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Ameris Bancorp
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Ameris Bancorp beats WaFd on 15 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

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

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 23.79% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.37% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cathay General Bancorp23.79% 11.37% 1.38%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

Cathay General Bancorp currently has a consensus price target of $51.75, suggesting a potential downside of 17.48%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $34.80, suggesting a potential downside of 8.71%. Given WaFd's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe WaFd is more favorable than Cathay General Bancorp.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cathay General Bancorp$1.38B3.04$315.12M$4.8512.93
WaFd$1.41B2.00$226.07M$3.1712.03

75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.5% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.86, suggesting that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, WaFd had 3 more articles in the media than Cathay General Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 4 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.40 beat WaFd's score of 0.16 indicating that Cathay General Bancorp is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 31.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. WaFd has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Cathay General Bancorp beats WaFd on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

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

83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.92% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.09% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.47% 8.98% 0.89%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.92%11.09%1.49%

WaFd presently has a consensus price target of $34.80, indicating a potential downside of 8.71%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus price target of $33.67, indicating a potential downside of 5.75%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
WaFd$1.41B2.00$226.07M$3.1712.03
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.98$255.60M$2.8312.62

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. WaFd has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years and First Financial Bancorp. has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

WaFd has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its share price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.92, meaning that its share price is 8% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, WaFd had 4 more articles in the media than First Financial Bancorp.. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 3 mentions for First Financial Bancorp.. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 0.16 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.04 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats WaFd on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Hancock Whitney?

Hancock Whitney (NASDAQ:HWC) and WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, media sentiment, profitability and earnings.

In the previous week, WaFd had 2 more articles in the media than Hancock Whitney. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 5 mentions for Hancock Whitney. Hancock Whitney's average media sentiment score of 0.72 beat WaFd's score of 0.16 indicating that Hancock Whitney is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Hancock Whitney
2 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Hancock Whitney presently has a consensus target price of $80.50, suggesting a potential upside of 2.60%. WaFd has a consensus target price of $34.80, suggesting a potential downside of 8.71%. Given Hancock Whitney's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Hancock Whitney is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Hancock Whitney
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
3 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17

Hancock Whitney has a net margin of 21.34% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Hancock Whitney's return on equity of 11.20% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Hancock Whitney21.34% 11.20% 1.40%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

Hancock Whitney pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Hancock Whitney pays out 41.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Hancock Whitney has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years and WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Hancock Whitney has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its share price is 5% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its share price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

Hancock Whitney has higher revenue and earnings than WaFd. WaFd is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Hancock Whitney, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Hancock Whitney$2.02B3.15$486.07M$4.8716.11
WaFd$1.41B2.00$226.07M$3.1712.03

81.2% of Hancock Whitney shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.9% of Hancock Whitney shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Hancock Whitney beats WaFd on 15 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Simmons First National?

Simmons First National (NASDAQ:SFNC) and WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) are both mid-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, media sentiment, earnings, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership and risk.

WaFd has a net margin of 18.47% compared to Simmons First National's net margin of -24.64%. WaFd's return on equity of 8.98% beat Simmons First National's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Simmons First National-24.64% 8.32% 1.16%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

WaFd has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Simmons First National. Simmons First National is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WaFd, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Simmons First National$1.43B2.33-$397.55M-$2.53N/A
WaFd$1.41B2.00$226.07M$3.1712.03

Simmons First National has a beta of 0.9, indicating that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.83, indicating that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

Simmons First National presently has a consensus target price of $23.67, indicating a potential upside of 3.12%. WaFd has a consensus target price of $34.80, indicating a potential downside of 8.71%. Given Simmons First National's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Simmons First National is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Simmons First National
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
2 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17

27.6% of Simmons First National shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Simmons First National shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Simmons First National pays an annual dividend of $0.86 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.7%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.8%. Simmons First National pays out -34.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Simmons First National has increased its dividend for 14 consecutive years and WaFd has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Simmons First National is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, Simmons First National had 13 more articles in the media than WaFd. MarketBeat recorded 20 mentions for Simmons First National and 7 mentions for WaFd. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 0.16 beat Simmons First National's score of 0.13 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Simmons First National
2 Very Positive mention(s)
5 Positive mention(s)
10 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Summary

Simmons First National beats WaFd on 12 of the 20 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 WAFD 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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WAFD vs. The Competition

MetricWaFdBANKS IndustryFinance SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$2.82B$2.54B$14.34B$12.27B
Dividend Yield2.83%2.94%5.67%9.36%
P/E Ratio12.0313.0320.6823.92
Price / Sales2.003.0943.96113.62
Price / Cash12.3612.5219.2348.09
Price / Book1.101.422.266.18
Net Income$226.07M$182.95M$1.14B$331.89M
7 Day Performance0.08%1.58%0.68%-1.28%
1 Month Performance4.50%5.03%1.79%-1.36%
1 Year Performance28.22%22.26%13.52%17.73%

WaFd Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAFD
WaFd
2.3286 of 5 stars
$38.12
flat
$34.80
-8.7%
+28.2%$2.82B$1.41B12.032,037
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
3.2164 of 5 stars
$90.07
+0.3%
$92.67
+2.9%
+36.9%$6.06B$1.20B17.292,850
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.8944 of 5 stars
$61.61
-0.1%
$51.75
-16.0%
+30.1%$4.13B$1.38B12.691,268
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
2.6539 of 5 stars
$34.31
-0.3%
$33.67
-1.9%
+43.7%$3.60B$1.26B12.122,199
HWC
Hancock Whitney
3.9818 of 5 stars
$76.05
+0.1%
$80.50
+5.9%
+30.3%$6.17B$2.02B15.623,627

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This page (NASDAQ:WAFD) was last updated on 7/20/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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