MetaCap

First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) vs Northwest Bancshares (NWBI)

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

Summary

Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) has outperformed First Commonwealth Financial (FCF) over the past year, gaining 18.1% versus a gain of 18.0%. Over five years, FCF leads with a +41.0% price change compared with +5.8% for NWBI. Northwest Bancshares is the larger company by market cap ($2.15 billion vs $2.01 billion), about 1.1 times the size.

On valuation, Northwest Bancshares trades at a lower forward P/E (10.1x vs 10.2x for First Commonwealth Financial). Northwest Bancshares offers the higher dividend yield (5.43% vs 2.77%).

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

Relative performance

FCF+18.00%NWBI+18.14%
+32%+11%-11%
Oct 7, 20251 yearOct 7, 2026
FCF+38.40%NWBI+5.90%
+55%+11%-33%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

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

Head-to-head

FCF versus NWBI key metrics
MetricFCFNWBI
Share price$19.86$14.72
Market cap$2.01B$2.15B
1-day change-1.00%-1.41%
YTD return+17.79%+22.67%
1-year return+18.00%+18.14%
5-year return+40.95%+5.82%
P/E ratio (TTM)12.1814.15
Forward P/E10.1810.14
EPS (TTM)$1.63$1.04
Dividend yield2.77%5.43%
Annual dividend$0.55$0.80
52-week high$22.34$16.16
52-week low$15.00$11.25
Distance from 52-week high-11.10%-8.91%
Analyst consensusbuyhold
Avg. price target upside+21.20%+10.67%
Average volume891.35K1.02M
Shares outstanding101.06M146.40M
Employees1,5892,183
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

  • Northwest Bancshares offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.43% vs 2.77%).

About First Commonwealth Financial

FCF stock →

First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, a financial holding company, provides various consumer and commercial banking products and services in the United States. The company's consumer services include internet, mobile, and telephone banking; an automated teller machine network; personal checking accounts, interest-earning checking accounts, savings and health savings accounts, insured money market accounts, debit cards, investment certificates, fixed and variable rate certificates of deposit, mortgage loans, secured and unsecured installment loans, construction and real estate loans, safe deposit facilities, credit cards, credit lines with overdraft checking protection, and IRA accounts.

Finance · Major Banks · 1,589 employees

About Northwest Bancshares

NWBI stock →

Northwest Bancshares, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Northwest Bank, a state-chartered savings bank that provides personal and commercial banking solutions in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana in the United States.

Finance · Major Banks · 2,183 employees

FCF vs NWBI FAQ

Which is bigger, First Commonwealth Financial or Northwest Bancshares?

Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.15B compared with $2.01B for First Commonwealth Financial (FCF).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, FCF or NWBI?

NWBI returned +18.14% over the past 12 months, compared with +18.00% for FCF (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which has the lower P/E ratio, FCF or NWBI?

FCF has the lower trailing P/E at 12.2, versus 14.2 for NWBI. 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, First Commonwealth Financial or Northwest Bancshares?

Northwest Bancshares has the higher yield at 5.43%, compared with 2.77% for First Commonwealth Financial.

Are First Commonwealth Financial and Northwest Bancshares in the same industry?

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

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