Cathay General Bancorp (CATY) vs First Financial Bankshares (FFIN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cathay General Bancorp (CATY) has outperformed First Financial Bankshares (FFIN) over the past year, gaining 20.9% versus a loss of 5.9%. Over five years, CATY leads with a +44.3% price change compared with -34.2% for FFIN. First Financial Bankshares is the larger company by market cap ($4.53 billion vs $3.97 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Cathay General Bancorp trades at a lower forward P/E (10.0x vs 14.6x for First Financial Bankshares). First Financial Bankshares offers the higher dividend yield (2.50% vs 2.49%). Cathay General Bancorp converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 585.8% versus 40.1%.
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 | CATY | FFIN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.54 | $31.59 |
| Market cap | $3.97B | $4.53B |
| 1-day change | +0.73% | +0.64% |
| YTD return | +22.15% | +5.09% |
| 1-year return | +20.90% | -5.93% |
| 5-year return | +44.28% | -34.19% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 11.63 | 16.89 |
| Forward P/E | 10.01 | 14.62 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.12 | $1.87 |
| Dividend yield | 2.49% | 2.50% |
| Annual dividend | $1.48 | $0.79 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $53.79M | $631.60M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.93% | +14.68% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $315.12M | $253.58M |
| Net margin | 585.81% | 40.15% |
| 52-week high | $65.26 | $36.52 |
| 52-week low | $44.57 | $28.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.76% | -13.50% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.17% | +14.88% |
| Average volume | 464.14K | 747.11K |
| Shares outstanding | 66.71M | 143.33M |
| Employees | 1,268 | 1,500 |
| 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
- CATY has outperformed FFIN by 26.8 percentage points over the past year.
- First Financial Bankshares trades at a higher earnings multiple (16.9x vs 11.6x trailing P/E).
- Cathay General Bancorp is more profitable, keeping 585.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 40.1 cents for First Financial Bankshares.
- First Financial Bankshares grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+14.68% vs +2.93%).
About Cathay General Bancorp
CATY stock →Cathay General Bancorp operates as the holding company for Cathay Bank that offers various commercial banking products and services to individuals, professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses in the United States. It offers savings accounts, checking accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificates of deposit, individual retirement accounts, and public funds deposits, and acceptance of checking, savings, demand deposits, time deposits, real estate, and consumer loans.
Finance · Major Banks · 1,268 employees
About First Financial Bankshares
FFIN stock →First Financial Bankshares, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides banking services in the United States. The company offers general commercial banking services, including checking, savings and time deposits, loans, automated teller machines, drive-in and night deposit services, safe deposit facilities, remote deposit capture, internet banking, mobile banking, payroll cards, funds transfer, and other customary commercial banking service, as well as securities brokerage services.
Finance · Major Banks · 1,500 employees
CATY vs FFIN FAQ
Which is bigger, Cathay General Bancorp or First Financial Bankshares?
First Financial Bankshares (FFIN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $4.53B compared with $3.97B for Cathay General Bancorp (CATY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CATY or FFIN?
CATY returned +20.90% over the past 12 months, compared with -5.93% for FFIN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CATY or FFIN?
CATY has the lower trailing P/E at 11.6, versus 16.9 for FFIN. 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, Cathay General Bancorp or First Financial Bankshares?
First Financial Bankshares has the higher yield at 2.50%, compared with 2.49% for Cathay General Bancorp.
Are Cathay General Bancorp and First Financial Bankshares in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.