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GBCI vs HFWA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Banks - Regional
GBCI vs HFWA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Banks - Regional |
| Market Cap | $6.35B | $932M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $1.43B | $336M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $239M | $68M |
| Gross Margin | 69.0% | 72.4% |
| Operating Margin | 22.9% | 23.2% |
| Forward P/E | 15.8x | 13.3x |
| Total Debt | $2.90B | $42M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $322M | $53M |
GBCI vs HFWA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Bancorp, In… (GBCI) | 100 | 118.5 | +18.5% |
| Heritage Financial … (HFWA) | 100 | 144.3 | +44.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: GBCI vs HFWA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
GBCI is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 14.5%, EPS growth 18.5%
- 145.4% 10Y total return vs HFWA's 109.7%
- 14.5% NII/revenue growth vs HFWA's 5.9%
HFWA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 5 yrs, beta 0.97, yield 3.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.97, Low D/E 4.6%, current ratio 1.18x
- Beta 0.97, yield 3.5%, current ratio 1.18x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 14.5% NII/revenue growth vs HFWA's 5.9% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (13.3x vs 15.8x) | |
| Quality / Margins | Efficiency ratio 0.5% vs HFWA's 0.5% (lower = leaner) | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.97 vs GBCI's 1.17, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 3.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs GBCI's 2.6% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +24.5% vs GBCI's +21.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | Efficiency ratio 0.5% vs HFWA's 0.5% |
GBCI vs HFWA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
GBCI vs HFWA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HFWA leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
GBCI is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.4B annually — 4.2x HFWA's $336M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 20.1% (HFWA) to 16.8% (GBCI).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.4B | $336M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $365M | $80M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $239M | $68M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $337M | $86M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +69.0% | +72.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +22.9% | +23.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.8% | +20.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +24.4% | +25.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.3% | +85.7% |
Valuation Metrics
HFWA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.0x trailing earnings, HFWA trades at a 43% valuation discount to GBCI's 24.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, HFWA's 11.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GBCI's 24.4x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $6.3B | $932M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $8.9B | $922M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 24.52x | 13.99x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 15.81x | 13.33x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.60x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 24.45x | 11.58x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.45x | 2.77x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.51x | 1.02x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 18.26x | 10.88x |
Profitability & Efficiency
HFWA leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
HFWA delivers a 7.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $8 in annual profit, vs $7 for GBCI. HFWA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.05x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GBCI's 0.69x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HFWA scores 9/9 vs GBCI's 7/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +6.5% | +7.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +0.8% | +1.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.5% | +5.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.7% | +4.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.69x | 0.05x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $2.6B | -$10M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $322M | $53M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2.9B | $42M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 0.80x | 0.87x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HFWA leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HFWA five years ago would be worth $11,042 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,074 for GBCI. Over the past 12 months, HFWA leads with a +24.5% total return vs GBCI's +21.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HFWA at 24.4% vs GBCI's 22.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +10.0% | +17.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +21.8% | +24.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +84.8% | +92.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -9.3% | +10.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +145.4% | +109.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +22.7% | +24.4% |
Risk & Volatility
HFWA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HFWA is the less volatile stock with a 0.97 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than GBCI's 1.17 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. HFWA currently trades 94.9% from its 52-week high vs GBCI's 90.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.17x | 0.97x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $53.99 | $28.90 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $39.90 | $21.32 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.4% | +94.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.6 | 54.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 872K | 289K |
Analyst Outlook
HFWA leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GBCI as "Buy" and HFWA as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 17.5% upside for GBCI (target: $57) vs 14.3% for HFWA (target: $31). For income investors, HFWA offers the higher dividend yield at 3.46% vs GBCI's 2.56%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $57.33 | $31.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 14 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.6% | +3.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 5 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.25 | $0.95 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.6% |
HFWA leads in 6 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics.
GBCI vs HFWA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GBCI or HFWA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
(GBCI) is the stronger pick with 14. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 9% for Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA). Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) offers the better valuation at 14. 0x trailing P/E (13. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI) a "Buy" — based on 14 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — GBCI or HFWA?
On trailing P/E, Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) is the cheapest at 14.
0x versus Glacier Bancorp, Inc. at 24. 5x. On forward P/E, Heritage Financial Corporation is actually cheaper at 13. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GBCI or HFWA?
Over the past 5 years, Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) delivered a total return of +10.
4%, compared to -9. 3% for Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GBCI returned +145. 4% versus HFWA's +109. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — GBCI or HFWA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
97β versus Glacier Bancorp, Inc. 's 1. 17β — meaning GBCI is approximately 20% more volatile than HFWA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 69% for Glacier Bancorp, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — GBCI or HFWA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
(GBCI) is pulling ahead at 14. 5% versus 5. 9% for Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Heritage Financial Corporation grew EPS 58. 1% year-over-year, compared to 18. 5% for Glacier Bancorp, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — GBCI or HFWA?
Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) is the more profitable company, earning 20.
1% net margin versus 16. 8% for Glacier Bancorp, Inc. — meaning it keeps 20. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HFWA leads at 23. 2% versus 22. 9% for GBCI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HFWA leads at 72. 4%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is GBCI or HFWA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) trades at 13.
3x forward P/E versus 15. 8x for Glacier Bancorp, Inc. — 2. 5x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for GBCI: 17. 5% to $57. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — GBCI or HFWA?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) offers the highest yield at 3. 5%, versus 2. 6% for Glacier Bancorp, Inc. (GBCI).
09Is GBCI or HFWA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Heritage Financial Corporation (HFWA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
97), 3. 5% yield, +109. 7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (HFWA: +109. 7%, GBCI: +145. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between GBCI and HFWA?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: GBCI is a small-cap quality compounder stock; HFWA is a small-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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