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WaFd (WAFD) Competitors

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$34.72 +0.13 (+0.38%)
Closing price 05/14/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$34.82 +0.09 (+0.27%)
As of 08:05 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, FULT, and HWC

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), Fulton Financial (FULT), and Hancock Whitney (HWC). 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 stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, media sentiment, dividends, risk, profitability and institutional ownership.

Ameris Bancorp has a net margin of 21.46% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.25%. Ameris Bancorp's return on equity of 9.57% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
WaFd18.25% 8.94% 0.90%
Ameris Bancorp 21.46%9.57%1.32%

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$1.41B1.82$226.07M$3.0611.35
Ameris Bancorp$1.20B4.68$358.68M$6.3613.15

WaFd has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its share price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Ameris Bancorp has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its share price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Ameris Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $0.80 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.0%. WaFd pays out 35.3% 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.

WaFd presently has a consensus price target of $34.80, indicating a potential upside of 0.23%. Ameris Bancorp has a consensus price target of $90.17, indicating a potential upside of 7.84%. Given Ameris Bancorp's stronger consensus rating and higher possible 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)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Ameris Bancorp
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.67

In the previous week, WaFd had 6 more articles in the media than Ameris Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 1 mentions for Ameris Bancorp. Ameris Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.30 beat WaFd's score of 0.91 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)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Ameris Bancorp
1 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

83.7% of WaFd shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 91.6% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 5.7% of Ameris Bancorp shares are held 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.

Summary

Ameris Bancorp beats WaFd on 15 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to Cathay General Bancorp?

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) 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, profitability, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk and dividends.

Cathay General Bancorp has a net margin of 23.79% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.25%. 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
WaFd18.25% 8.94% 0.90%
Cathay General Bancorp 23.79%11.37%1.38%

Cathay General Bancorp has lower revenue, but higher earnings 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
WaFd$1.41B1.82$226.07M$3.0611.35
Cathay General Bancorp$1.38B2.72$315.12M$4.8511.60

WaFd has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Cathay General Bancorp has a beta of 0.87, suggesting that its stock price is 13% less volatile than the broader market.

WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Cathay General Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $1.52 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. WaFd pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cathay General Bancorp pays out 31.3% 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. WaFd is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

WaFd currently has a consensus price target of $34.80, suggesting a potential upside of 0.23%. Cathay General Bancorp has a consensus price target of $52.00, suggesting a potential downside of 7.59%. Given WaFd's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe WaFd is more favorable than Cathay General 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)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Cathay General Bancorp
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.17

In the previous week, WaFd had 5 more articles in the media than Cathay General Bancorp. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 2 mentions for Cathay General Bancorp. Cathay General Bancorp's average media sentiment score of 1.46 beat WaFd's 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
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Cathay General Bancorp
0 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 75.0% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of WaFd shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 4.9% of Cathay General Bancorp shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Cathay General Bancorp beats WaFd on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does WaFd compare to First Financial Bancorp.?

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

First Financial Bancorp. pays an annual dividend of $1.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.3%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. First Financial Bancorp. pays out 35.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd 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. First Financial Bancorp. has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years.

First Financial Bancorp. currently has a consensus price target of $33.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9.60%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $34.80, suggesting a potential upside of 0.23%. Given First Financial Bancorp.'s higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe First Financial Bancorp. is more favorable than WaFd.

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
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

First Financial Bancorp. has a beta of 0.94, suggesting that its stock price is 6% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.85, suggesting that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market.

First Financial Bancorp. has a net margin of 20.92% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.25%. 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
First Financial Bancorp.20.92% 11.09% 1.49%
WaFd 18.25%8.94%0.90%

First Financial Bancorp. has higher earnings, but lower revenue than WaFd. First Financial Bancorp. 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
First Financial Bancorp.$1.26B2.51$255.60M$2.8310.64
WaFd$1.41B1.82$226.07M$3.0611.35

77.2% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 83.7% of WaFd shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.1% of First Financial Bancorp. shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.5% of WaFd 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.

In the previous week, WaFd had 3 more articles in the media than First Financial Bancorp.. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 4 mentions for First Financial Bancorp.. First Financial Bancorp.'s average media sentiment score of 1.60 beat WaFd's 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.
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

First Financial Bancorp. beats WaFd 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 better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends and earnings.

Fulton Financial has a net margin of 20.85% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.25%. Fulton Financial's return on equity of 12.69% beat WaFd's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Fulton Financial20.85% 12.69% 1.28%
WaFd 18.25%8.94%0.90%

Fulton Financial has a beta of 0.81, meaning that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market.

Fulton Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.76 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.6%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Fulton Financial pays out 36.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd 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. Fulton Financial has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and WaFd has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Fulton Financial is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

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 company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, WaFd had 4 more articles in the media than Fulton Financial. MarketBeat recorded 7 mentions for WaFd and 3 mentions for Fulton Financial. Fulton Financial's average media sentiment score of 1.58 beat WaFd's 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
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
WaFd
2 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Fulton Financial has higher revenue and earnings than WaFd. Fulton Financial 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
Fulton Financial$1.89B2.12$391.61M$2.1010.00
WaFd$1.41B1.82$226.07M$3.0611.35

Fulton Financial presently has a consensus price target of $23.00, indicating a potential upside of 9.47%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $34.80, indicating a potential upside of 0.23%. Given Fulton Financial's higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Fulton Financial is more favorable than WaFd.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Fulton Financial
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Summary

Fulton Financial beats WaFd on 11 of the 20 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 stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, dividends and earnings.

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 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 will outperform the market over the long term.

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$2.02B2.64$486.07M$4.8713.51
WaFd$1.41B1.82$226.07M$3.0611.35

Hancock Whitney pays an annual dividend of $2.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. WaFd pays an annual dividend of $1.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.1%. Hancock Whitney pays out 41.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WaFd 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. 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 presently has a consensus price target of $76.86, indicating a potential upside of 16.82%. WaFd has a consensus price target of $34.80, indicating a potential upside of 0.23%. Given Hancock Whitney's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly 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)
5 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.78
WaFd
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Hancock Whitney has a net margin of 21.34% compared to WaFd's net margin of 18.25%. 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 18.25%8.94%0.90%

Hancock Whitney has a beta of 0.97, meaning that its stock price is 3% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WaFd has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Hancock Whitney had 3 more articles in the media than WaFd. MarketBeat recorded 10 mentions for Hancock Whitney and 7 mentions for WaFd. WaFd's average media sentiment score of 0.91 beat Hancock Whitney's score of 0.76 indicating that WaFd is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

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

Summary

Hancock Whitney beats WaFd on 14 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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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$2.56B$2.22B$13.45B$12.37B
Dividend Yield3.12%3.21%5.84%5.35%
P/E Ratio11.3511.9123.1825.63
Price / Sales1.822.58179.8276.59
Price / Cash11.2211.2920.4556.33
Price / Book0.961.272.156.97
Net Income$226.07M$187.34M$1.11B$333.62M
7 Day Performance-2.33%-1.91%-0.70%1.09%
1 Month Performance6.90%0.75%0.22%3.08%
1 Year Performance15.54%20.40%10.83%35.68%

WaFd Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
WAFD
WaFd
3.5163 of 5 stars
$34.72
+0.4%
$34.80
+0.2%
+17.4%$2.56B$1.41B11.352,037
ABCB
Ameris Bancorp
3.9197 of 5 stars
$83.57
-1.7%
$90.17
+7.9%
+32.0%$5.72B$1.20B16.082,850
CATY
Cathay General Bancorp
2.3727 of 5 stars
$56.15
-1.6%
$52.00
-7.4%
+27.0%$3.76B$1.38B11.581,268
FFBC
First Financial Bancorp.
3.97 of 5 stars
$29.70
-1.4%
$33.00
+11.1%
+20.3%$3.12B$1.26B10.502,199
FULT
Fulton Financial
4.0795 of 5 stars
$20.90
-0.9%
$23.00
+10.0%
+15.5%$3.77B$1.89B9.973,400

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This page (NASDAQ:WAFD) was last updated on 5/15/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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