MetaCap

Popular (BPOP) vs East West Bancorp (EWBC)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.

Summary

Popular (BPOP) has outperformed East West Bancorp (EWBC) over the past year, gaining 24.1% versus a gain of 17.2%. Over five years, BPOP leads with a +96.4% price change compared with +51.3% for EWBC. East West Bancorp is the larger company by market cap ($17.16 billion vs $9.92 billion), about 1.7 times the size.

On valuation, Popular trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 10.9x for East West Bancorp). East West Bancorp offers the higher dividend yield (2.24% vs 1.93%). East West Bancorp converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 45.2% versus 26.0%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

BPOP+24.11%EWBC+17.22%
+45%+15%-16%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
BPOP+91.03%EWBC+55.56%
+127%+37%-53%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

BPOP versus EWBC key metrics
MetricBPOPEWBC
Share price$155.52$125.27
Market cap$9.92B$17.16B
1-day change-1.75%-1.46%
YTD return+24.90%+11.46%
1-year return+24.11%+17.22%
5-year return+96.39%+51.29%
P/E ratio (TTM)10.5212.03
Forward P/E9.0010.87
EPS (TTM)$14.79$10.41
Dividend yield1.93%2.24%
Annual dividend$3.00$2.80
Revenue (latest FY)$3.20B$2.93B
Revenue growth (YoY)+8.77%+12.16%
Net income (latest FY)$833.16M$1.33B
Net margin26.04%45.20%
52-week high$179.24$137.47
52-week low$108.74$92.67
Distance from 52-week high-13.23%-8.87%
Analyst consensusstrong_buybuy
Avg. price target upside+25.51%+19.14%
Average volume498.63K778.36K
Shares outstanding63.78M137.01M
Employees9,2033,500
SectorFinanceFinancial Services
IndustryMajor BanksBanks - Regional

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

  • East West Bancorp is more profitable, keeping 45.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.0 cents for Popular.
  • The two companies sit in different sectors: Popular in Finance and East West Bancorp in Financial Services.

About Popular

BPOP stock →

Popular, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various retail, mortgage, and commercial banking services for individuals and businesses in Puerto Rico, the United States, the British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The company offers savings, NOW, money market, and other interest-bearing demand accounts; non-interest bearing demand deposits; checking accounts; individual retirement accounts and educational contribution accounts; business accounts; investment accounts; private management accounts; and certificates of deposit.

Finance · Major Banks · 9,203 employees

About East West Bancorp

EWBC stock →

East West Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for East West Bank that provides a range of personal and commercial banking services to businesses and individuals in the United States.

Financial Services · Banks - Regional · 3,500 employees

BPOP vs EWBC FAQ

Which is bigger, Popular or East West Bancorp?

East West Bancorp (EWBC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $17.16B compared with $9.92B for Popular (BPOP).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, BPOP or EWBC?

BPOP returned +24.11% over the past 12 months, compared with +17.22% for EWBC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, BPOP or EWBC?

BPOP has the lower trailing P/E at 10.5, versus 12.0 for EWBC. 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, Popular or East West Bancorp?

East West Bancorp has the higher yield at 2.24%, compared with 1.93% for Popular.

Are Popular and East West Bancorp in the same industry?

No. Popular is in the Finance sector, while East West Bancorp is in Financial Services.

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