Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) vs Hancock Whitney (HWC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Hancock Whitney (HWC) has outperformed Ameris Bancorp (ABCB) over the past year, gaining 13.6% versus a gain of 6.2%. Over five years, ABCB leads with a +52.0% price change compared with +48.2% for HWC. Hancock Whitney is the larger company by market cap ($5.75 billion vs $5.29 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Ameris Bancorp is growing revenue faster (+5.7% vs +4.8%).
On valuation, Hancock Whitney trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 11.2x for Ameris Bancorp). Hancock Whitney offers the higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 1.01%). Ameris Bancorp converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 34.1% versus 32.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ABCB | HWC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $78.87 | $71.64 |
| Market cap | $5.29B | $5.75B |
| 1-day change | -1.35% | -1.49% |
| YTD return | +6.19% | +12.50% |
| 1-year return | +6.18% | +13.62% |
| 5-year return | +52.02% | +48.17% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 14.26 | 14.02 |
| Forward P/E | 11.24 | 9.78 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.53 | $5.11 |
| Dividend yield | 1.01% | 2.65% |
| Annual dividend | $0.80 | $1.90 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.21B | $1.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.73% | +4.78% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $412.15M | $486.07M |
| Net margin | 34.12% | 32.08% |
| 52-week high | $93.22 | $80.13 |
| 52-week low | $68.80 | $54.05 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.39% | -10.60% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.40% | +17.99% |
| Average volume | 434.53K | 824.35K |
| Shares outstanding | 67.11M | 80.22M |
| Employees | 2,650 | 3,674 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Major Banks | Major Banks |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Hancock Whitney offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.65% vs 1.01%).
About Ameris Bancorp
ABCB stock →Ameris Bancorp operates as the bank holding company for Ameris Bank that provides various banking services to retail and commercial customers. It operates through four segments: Banking Division, Retail Mortgage Division, Warehouse Lending Division, and Premium Finance Division.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,650 employees
About Hancock Whitney
HWC stock →Hancock Whitney Corporation operates as the financial holding company for Hancock Whitney Bank that provides traditional and online banking services to commercial, small business, and retail customers in the United States. The company offers various transaction and savings deposit products, such as brokered deposits, time deposits, and money market accounts; treasury management services; secured and unsecured loan products, including revolving credit facilities; letters of credit and similar financial guarantees; trust and investment management services to retirement plans, corporations, and individuals; and investment advisory and brokerage products.
Finance · Major Banks · 3,674 employees
ABCB vs HWC FAQ
Which is bigger, Ameris Bancorp or Hancock Whitney?
Hancock Whitney (HWC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.75B compared with $5.29B for Ameris Bancorp (ABCB).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABCB or HWC?
HWC returned +13.62% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.18% for ABCB (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABCB or HWC?
HWC has the lower trailing P/E at 14.0, versus 14.3 for ABCB. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Ameris Bancorp or Hancock Whitney?
Hancock Whitney has the higher yield at 2.65%, compared with 1.01% for Ameris Bancorp.
Are Ameris Bancorp and Hancock Whitney in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.