MetaCap

Equity Bancshares (EQBK) vs Horizon Bancorp (HBNC)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

Horizon Bancorp (HBNC) has outperformed Equity Bancshares (EQBK) over the past year, gaining 20.7% versus a gain of 15.2%. Over five years, EQBK leads with a +37.7% price change compared with +7.4% for HBNC. Horizon Bancorp is the larger company by market cap ($1.00 billion vs $977.9 million), about 1.0 times the size.

On valuation, Equity Bancshares trades at a lower forward P/E (8.7x vs 8.7x for Horizon Bancorp). Horizon Bancorp offers the higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 1.52%).

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

Relative performance

EQBK+15.24%HBNC+20.67%
+30%+11%-9%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
EQBK+36.47%HBNC+5.52%
+54%-4%-62%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

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

Head-to-head

EQBK versus HBNC key metrics
MetricEQBKHBNC
Share price$47.49$19.50
Market cap$977.94M$1.00B
1-day change+1.04%+1.14%
YTD return+6.36%+14.98%
1-year return+15.24%+20.67%
5-year return+37.73%+7.44%
P/E ratio (TTM)27.94—
Forward P/E8.688.71
EPS (TTM)$1.70$-2.99
Dividend yield1.52%3.28%
Annual dividend$0.72$0.64
52-week high$52.27$21.04
52-week low$38.60$14.97
Distance from 52-week high-9.14%-7.32%
Analyst consensusbuystrong_buy
Avg. price target upside+16.42%+18.46%
Average volume111.97K592.48K
Shares outstanding20.59M51.34M
Employees909465
SectorFinanceFinance
IndustryMajor BanksMajor 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

  • Horizon Bancorp offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.28% vs 1.52%).

About Equity Bancshares

EQBK stock →

Equity Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Equity Bank that provides a range of banking, mortgage banking, and financial services to individual and corporate customers.

Finance · Major Banks · 909 employees

About Horizon Bancorp

HBNC stock →

Horizon Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Horizon Bank that provides commercial and retail banking services to individuals and corporate clients in Indiana and Michigan in the United States.

Finance · Major Banks · 465 employees

EQBK vs HBNC FAQ

Which is bigger, Equity Bancshares or Horizon Bancorp?

Horizon Bancorp (HBNC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.00B compared with $977.94M for Equity Bancshares (EQBK).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, EQBK or HBNC?

HBNC returned +20.67% over the past 12 months, compared with +15.24% for EQBK (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, Equity Bancshares or Horizon Bancorp?

Horizon Bancorp has the higher yield at 3.28%, compared with 1.52% for Equity Bancshares.

Are Equity Bancshares and Horizon Bancorp in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.

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