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WaFd (WAFD) Competitors

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$32.39 0.00 (0.00%)
Closing price 09/18/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$32.46 +0.07 (+0.20%)
As of 06:05 AM Eastern
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WAFD vs. CATY, FFBC, FULT, HWC, and SFNC

Should you buy WaFd stock or one of its competitors? WaFd's main competitors and comparable companies include Cathay General Bancorp (CATY), First Financial Bancorp. (FFBC), Fulton Financial (FULT), Hancock Whitney (HWC), and Simmons First National (SFNC). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "regional banks" industry.

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 superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, media sentiment, risk, valuation, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations and profitability.

Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its stock price is 15% 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.

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

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 24.66% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Cathay General Bancorp's return on equity of 11.71% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cathay General Bancorp24.66% 11.71% 1.43%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

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$1.38B3.00$315.12M$5.1212.16
WaFd$1.41B1.70$226.07M$3.1710.22

In the previous week, WaFd had 3 more articles in the media than Cathay General Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for WaFd and 2 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 0.67 beat WaFd's score of 0.50 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)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WaFd
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 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 3.3%. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 29.7% 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.

Cathay General Bancorp presently has a consensus price target of $62.25, suggesting a potential upside of 0.00%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $36.25, suggesting a potential upside of 11.92%. Given WaFd's stronger consensus rating and 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)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.00
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

Summary

Cathay General Bancorp beats WaFd on 11 of the 18 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 better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their media sentiment, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends, risk and institutional ownership.

WaFd has a beta of 0.83, indicating that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.91, indicating that its stock price is 9% less volatile than the broader market.

WaFd presently has a consensus target price of $36.25, indicating a potential upside of 11.92%. First Financial Bancorp. has a consensus target price of $33.67, indicating a potential upside of 4.91%. Given WaFd's higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe WaFd is more favorable than First Financial Bancorp..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20
First Financial Bancorp.
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. WaFd pays out 34.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 36.7% 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.

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$1.41B1.70$226.07M$3.1710.22
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.67$255.60M$2.8311.34

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.77% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. First Financial Bancorp.'s return on equity of 11.13% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.47% 8.98% 0.89%
First Financial Bancorp. 20.77%11.13%1.49%

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

In the previous week, WaFd had 1 more articles in the media than First Financial Bancorp.. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for WaFd and 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp.. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 0.50 beat First Financial Bancorp.'s score of 0.13 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the media.

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

Summary

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

How does WaFd compare to Fulton Financial?

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

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

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Fulton Financial$1.89B2.36$391.61M$2.0911.20
WaFd$1.41B1.70$226.07M$3.1710.22

Fulton Financial has a beta of 0.78, meaning that its stock price is 22% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

Fulton Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Fulton Financial pays out 36.4% 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. Fulton Financial has increased its dividend for 4 consecutive years and WaFd has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Fulton Financial currently has a consensus price target of $24.75, indicating a potential upside of 5.77%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $36.25, indicating a potential upside of 11.92%. Given WaFd's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe WaFd is more favorable than Fulton Financial.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Fulton Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.40
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

72.0% of Fulton Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Fulton Financial 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 stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Fulton Financial has a net margin of 20.63% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Fulton Financial's return on equity of 12.68% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Fulton Financial20.63% 12.68% 1.30%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

In the previous week, Fulton Financial and Fulton Financial both had 5 articles in the media. Fulton Financial's average media sentiment score of 0.73 beat WaFd's score of 0.50 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)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WaFd
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Summary

Fulton Financial beats WaFd on 11 of the 18 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 superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

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 hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Hancock Whitney has a net margin of 21.81% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.47%. Hancock Whitney's return on equity of 11.36% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Hancock Whitney21.81% 11.36% 1.41%
WaFd 18.47%8.98%0.89%

In the previous week, WaFd had 2 more articles in the media than Hancock Whitney. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for WaFd and 3 mentions for Hancock Whitney. Hancock Whitney's average media sentiment score of 1.26 beat WaFd's score of 0.50 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
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
WaFd
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

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$1.46B4.11$486.07M$5.1014.70
WaFd$1.41B1.70$226.07M$3.1710.22

Hancock Whitney currently has a consensus target price of $83.78, suggesting a potential upside of 11.78%. WaFd has a consensus target price of $36.25, suggesting a potential upside of 11.92%. Given WaFd's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe WaFd is more favorable than Hancock Whitney.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Hancock Whitney
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.82
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

Hancock Whitney has a beta of 0.94, suggesting that its share price is 6% 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 pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. Hancock Whitney pays out 39.2% 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.

Summary

Hancock Whitney beats WaFd on 14 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 superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, media sentiment, dividends, valuation, earnings, profitability and analyst recommendations.

In the previous week, WaFd had 5 more articles in the media than Simmons First National. MarketBeat recorded 5 mentions for WaFd and 0 mentions for Simmons First National. Simmons First National's average media sentiment score of 1.67 beat WaFd's score of 0.50 indicating that Simmons First National is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Simmons First National Very Positive
WaFd Neutral

Simmons First National has a beta of 0.89, suggesting that its stock price is 11% 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.

Simmons First National currently has a consensus target price of $25.50, suggesting a potential upside of 11.40%. WaFd has a consensus target price of $36.25, suggesting a potential upside of 11.92%. Given WaFd's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe WaFd is more favorable than Simmons First National.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Simmons First National
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.56
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.20

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$1.43B2.32-$397.55M-$2.53N/A
WaFd$1.41B1.70$226.07M$3.1710.22

Simmons First National pays an annual dividend of $0.86 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. 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 raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years and WaFd has raised 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.

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 insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

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%

Summary

Simmons First National beats WaFd on 11 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$2.40B$23.54B$13.78B$12.94B
Dividend Yield3.33%3.07%5.94%12.80%
P/E Ratio10.2227.0325.3225.40
Price / Sales1.709.59522.6782.07
Price / Cash10.5015.5530.0734.74
Price / Book0.931.372.736.32
Net Income$226.07M$2.58B$1.31B$358.20M
7 Day Performance-3.63%-0.70%-0.19%0.42%
1 Month Performance-10.97%0.20%-0.25%-3.30%
1 Year Performance3.05%22.27%7.89%5.33%

WaFd Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAFD
WaFd
3.6624 of 5 stars
$32.39
flat
$36.25
+11.9%
+3.1%$2.40B$1.41B10.222,037
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.6447 of 5 stars
$62.42
0.0%
$62.25
-0.3%
+26.4%$4.16B$1.38B12.191,268
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
2.7792 of 5 stars
$32.74
0.0%
$33.67
+2.8%
+21.7%$3.44B$1.26B11.562,199
FULT
Fulton Financial
3.183 of 5 stars
$23.76
+0.0%
$24.75
+4.2%
+20.7%$4.54B$1.89B11.373,400
HWC
Hancock Whitney
4.2 of 5 stars
$75.77
+0.1%
$83.78
+10.6%
+17.7%$6.08B$1.46B14.863,627

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This page (NASDAQ:WAFD) was last updated on 9/21/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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