WABC
Westamerica Bancorporation
Banks - Regional
Market Cap$1.38B
5Y Perf.-7.0%
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Stock Comparison
WABC vs PFSI
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PFSI
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
Financial - Mortgages
Market Cap$4.62B
5Y Perf.+164.0%
WABC vs PFSI — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | WABC | PFSI |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Banks - Regional | Financial - Mortgages |
| Market Cap | $1.38B | $4.62B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $311M | $4.36B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $120M | $507M |
| Gross Margin | 94.3% | 91.4% |
| Operating Margin | 60.8% | 34.6% |
| Forward P/E | 12.3x | 7.2x |
| Total Debt | $138M | $23.06B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $601M | $302M |
WABC vs PFSI — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
WABC
PFSI
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westamerica Bancorp… (WABC) | 100 | 93.0 | -7.0% |
| PennyMac Financial … (PFSI) | 100 | 264.0 | +164.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WABC vs PFSI
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: WABC leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
WABC
Westamerica Bancorporation
The Banking Pick
WABC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 27 yrs, beta 0.63, yield 3.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.63, Low D/E 15.5%, current ratio 0.39x
- Beta 0.63, yield 3.2%, current ratio 0.39x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
PFSI
PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
The Banking Pick
PFSI is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 173.8%, EPS growth 59.2%
- 6.0% 10Y total return vs WABC's 54.8%
- 173.8% NII/revenue growth vs WABC's -5.0%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PFSI | 173.8% NII/revenue growth vs WABC's -5.0% |
| Value | PFSI | Lower P/E (7.2x vs 12.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | WABC | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs PFSI's 0.6% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | WABC | Beta 0.63 vs PFSI's 0.93, lower leverage |
| Dividends | WABC | 3.2% yield, 27-year raise streak, vs PFSI's 1.3% |
| Momentum (1Y) | WABC | +15.9% vs PFSI's -8.0% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | WABC | Efficiency ratio 0.3% vs PFSI's 0.6% |
WABC vs PFSI — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
WABC vs PFSI — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLWABCLAGGINGPFSI
PFSIPennyMac Financial Se…
1leads
WABCWestamerica Bancorpor…
5leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PFSIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
WABC4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PFSI4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
WABC8/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
WABC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
WABC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
WABC2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
WABC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PFSI is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.4B annually — 14.0x WABC's $311M. WABC is the more profitable business, keeping 44.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PFSI's 11.5%.
| Metric | WABCWestamerica Banco… | PFSIPennyMac Financia… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $311M | $4.4B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $171M | $1.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $120M | $507M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $123M | -$3.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +94.3% | +91.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +60.8% | +34.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +44.6% | +11.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +44.9% | -32.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -14.5% | +7.7% |
WABC leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PFSI leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.5x trailing earnings, PFSI trades at a 10% valuation discount to WABC's 10.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, WABC's 4.6x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PFSI's 18.1x.
| Metric | WABCWestamerica Banco… | PFSIPennyMac Financia… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.4B | $4.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $914M | $27.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.55x | 9.53x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.34x | 7.17x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.90x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 4.58x | 18.11x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.43x | 1.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.65x | 1.11x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9.85x | — |
PFSI leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WABC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
WABC delivers a 12.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $12 for PFSI. WABC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PFSI's 5.35x.
| Metric | WABCWestamerica Banco… | PFSIPennyMac Financia… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.9% | +12.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.0% | +1.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +15.1% | +4.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +21.3% | +10.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.16x | 5.35x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$463M | $22.8B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $601M | $302M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $138M | $23.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 11.87x | 1.35x |
WABC leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
WABC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PFSI five years ago would be worth $16,366 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $9,887 for WABC. Over the past 12 months, WABC leads with a +15.9% total return vs PFSI's -8.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors WABC at 16.8% vs PFSI's 16.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | WABCWestamerica Banco… | PFSIPennyMac Financia… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +16.7% | -32.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +15.9% | -8.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +59.4% | +59.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -1.1% | +63.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +54.8% | +603.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.8% | +16.8% |
WABC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WABC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
WABC is the less volatile stock with a 0.63 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PFSI's 0.93 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. WABC currently trades 97.6% from its 52-week high vs PFSI's 55.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | WABCWestamerica Banco… | PFSIPennyMac Financia… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.63x | 0.93x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $56.22 | $160.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $44.93 | $82.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.6% | +55.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.4 | 40.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 190K | 604K |
WABC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
WABC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WABC as "Hold" and PFSI as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 61.3% upside for PFSI (target: $143) vs 3.9% for WABC (target: $57). For income investors, WABC offers the higher dividend yield at 3.21% vs PFSI's 1.31%.
| Metric | WABCWestamerica Banco… | PFSIPennyMac Financia… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $57.00 | $143.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.2% | +1.3% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 27 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.76 | $1.16 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +0.1% |
WABC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
WABC leads in 5 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PFSI leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallWestamerica Bancorporation (WABC)Leads 5 of 6 categories
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WABC vs PFSI: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WABC or PFSI a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is the stronger pick with 173. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 0% for Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC). PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI) offers the better valuation at 9. 5x trailing P/E (7. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI) a "Buy" — based on 20 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 — WABC or PFSI?
On trailing P/E, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is the cheapest at 9. 5x versus Westamerica Bancorporation at 10. 6x. On forward P/E, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — WABC or PFSI?
Over the past 5 years, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) delivered a total return of +63. 7%, compared to -1. 1% for Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PFSI returned +603. 4% versus WABC's +54. 8%. 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 — WABC or PFSI?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
63β versus PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. 's 0. 93β — meaning PFSI is approximately 48% more volatile than WABC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 5% for PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — WABC or PFSI?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is pulling ahead at 173. 8% versus -5. 0% for Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. grew EPS 59. 2% year-over-year, compared to -14. 2% for Westamerica Bancorporation. 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 — WABC or PFSI?
Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) is the more profitable company, earning 44.
6% net margin versus 11. 5% for PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. — meaning it keeps 44. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: WABC leads at 60. 8% versus 34. 6% for PFSI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — WABC leads at 94. 3%, 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 WABC or PFSI more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) trades at 7. 2x forward P/E versus 12. 3x for Westamerica Bancorporation — 5. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PFSI: 61. 3% to $143. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — WABC or PFSI?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Westamerica Bancorporation (WABC) offers the highest yield at 3. 2%, versus 1. 3% for PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (PFSI).
09Is WABC or PFSI better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.
(PFSI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 93), 1. 3% yield, +603. 4% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PFSI: +603. 4%, WABC: +54. 8%), 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 WABC and PFSI?
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: WABC is a small-cap deep-value stock; PFSI is a small-cap high-growth 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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Revenue Growth>
%
(WABC: -5.0% · PFSI: 173.8%)Net Margin>
%
(WABC: 44.6% · PFSI: 11.5%)P/E Ratio<
x
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