Stock Yards Bancorp (SYBT) vs WaFd (WAFD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Stock Yards Bancorp (SYBT) has outperformed WaFd (WAFD) over the past year, gaining 8.2% versus a gain of 2.0%. Over five years, SYBT leads with a +21.5% price change compared with -17.4% for WAFD. Stock Yards Bancorp is the larger company by market cap ($2.36 billion vs $2.20 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, WaFd trades at a lower forward P/E (8.5x vs 13.3x for Stock Yards Bancorp). WaFd offers the higher dividend yield (3.60% vs 1.69%). WaFd converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 762.5% versus 35.3%.
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 | SYBT | WAFD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $75.89 | $29.74 |
| Market cap | $2.36B | $2.20B |
| 1-day change | +0.30% | +0.92% |
| YTD return | +16.84% | -7.15% |
| 1-year return | +8.18% | +1.99% |
| 5-year return | +21.48% | -17.43% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.12 | 9.38 |
| Forward P/E | 13.34 | 8.47 |
| EPS (TTM) | $5.02 | $3.17 |
| Dividend yield | 1.69% | 3.60% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $1.07 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $397.26M | $29.65M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +12.77% | +7.79% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $140.15M | $226.07M |
| Net margin | 35.28% | 762.46% |
| 52-week high | $89.22 | $39.49 |
| 52-week low | $61.51 | $26.31 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.94% | -24.69% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.86% | +16.01% |
| Average volume | 163.88K | 896.77K |
| Shares outstanding | 31.07M | 74.01M |
| Employees | 1,270 | 2,055 |
| 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
- Stock Yards Bancorp trades at a higher earnings multiple (15.1x vs 9.4x trailing P/E).
- WaFd offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.60% vs 1.69%).
- WaFd is more profitable, keeping 762.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 35.3 cents for Stock Yards Bancorp.
About Stock Yards Bancorp
SYBT stock →Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc. operates as a holding company for Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company that provides various financial services for individuals, corporations, and others in the United States.
Finance · Major Banks · 1,270 employees
About WaFd
WAFD stock →WaFd, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for Washington Federal Bank that provides lending, depository, insurance, and other banking services in the United States.
Finance · Major Banks · 2,055 employees
SYBT vs WAFD FAQ
Which is bigger, Stock Yards Bancorp or WaFd?
Stock Yards Bancorp (SYBT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $2.36B compared with $2.20B for WaFd (WAFD).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SYBT or WAFD?
SYBT returned +8.18% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.99% for WAFD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SYBT or WAFD?
WAFD has the lower trailing P/E at 9.4, versus 15.1 for SYBT. 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, Stock Yards Bancorp or WaFd?
WaFd has the higher yield at 3.60%, compared with 1.69% for Stock Yards Bancorp.
Are Stock Yards Bancorp and WaFd in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Major Banks industry within the Finance sector.