On its third quarter of 2026 earnings call, held on Oct. 20, 2026, East West Bancorp (EWBC +2.78%) announced higher full-year net interest income (NII) guidance following record revenue and loan growth. The bank continues to expand its core deposit base while keeping loan losses well below industry averages. This disciplined operational model delivers high returns on equity without taking on excessive risk. Three things management said stand out.
1. Direct Branch Outreach Drives Low-Cost Deposit GrowthBranch managers actively visit local businesses to secure zero-interest demand deposit accounts, which now represent over 20% of total deposits. This hands-on strategy lowers total funding costs so the bank doesn't have to rely on expensive wholesale funds.
And that outreach and calling and visiting our customers at their offices, at their shop, at their restaurant, has just resulted in a flow of activity that, thankfully, has helped us maintain and grow these balances over the last year and a half.
-- Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles, Chief Financial Officer2. Disciplined Underwriting Keeps Credit Losses Exceptionally LowConservative collateral requirements protect the loan portfolio from macroeconomic stress. Low net charge-offs, which represent bad loans written off as uncollectible, allowed leadership to lower its full-year loss expectations.
Given our performance through the first nine months of the year, our current visibility, we have narrowed our prior guidance for net charge offs and now expect full year charge offs to be 15 to 20 basis points.
-- Irene H. Oh, Chief Risk Officer3. Internal Business Expansion Takes Priority Over Acquisition RiskManagement prefers expanding its core commercial banking channels over acquiring rival institutions through mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The bank maintains a 10% tangible common equity ratio, which measures core capital against assets, so it doesn't need external deals to grow.
The reality is that because we spend so much time focusing on the organic business growth, and making sure we have better products, we have better capability and whatnot, and relatively speaking, it makes the M&A opportunity less likely because we continue to be able to find a way to grow organically.
-- Dominic Ng, Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerLooking AheadNet interest income is expanding across core lending channels, and leadership isn't hiding its satisfaction with current momentum. The bank focuses on pricing discipline and expense control while monitoring interest rate moves.
Given September's rate hike and our strong third quarter performance, we now expect full year NII growth of 9% to 10%. The guidance assumes that short term rates remain at current levels through the end of the year.
-- Christopher J. Del Moral-Niles, Chief Financial OfficerEast West Bancorp relies on deep customer relationships and specialized cross-border banking services to drive long-term shareholder value.
We claim championship in relationship banking, and cross border banking. That is what we wanted to continue to spend all of our effort to.
-- Dominic Ng, Chairman and Chief Executive OfficerThe Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--East West Bancorp, Inc. (“East West” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EWBC), parent company of East West Bank, reported third quarter 2026 net income of $382 million, or $2.76 per diluted share. Total loans and deposits reached new record levels of $59.7 billion and $71.5 billion, respectively, as of September 30, 2026. Return on average assets was 1.79%, return on average common equity was 16.3%, and return on average tangible common equity1 was 17.2%. “I am please.
East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.76 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.69 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.62 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +2.60%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank holding company would post earnings of $2.61 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.63, delivering a surprise of +0.77%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
East West Bancorp, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - West industry, posted revenues of $822.75 million for the quarter ended September 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.53%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $778.05 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
East West Bancorp shares have added about 11.7% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 12.4%.
What's Next for East West Bancorp?While East West Bancorp has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for East West Bancorp was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.75 on $823.09 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $10.64 on $3.2 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - West is currently in the top 24% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Columbia Banking (COLB - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended September 2026. The results are expected to be released on October 22.
This bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.77 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -9.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.4% higher over the last 30 days to the current level.
Columbia Banking's revenues are expected to be $687.95 million, up 18.2% from the year-ago quarter.
East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) reported $822.75 million in revenue for the quarter ended September 2026, representing a year-over-year increase of 5.8%. EPS of $2.76 for the same period compares to $2.62 a year ago.
The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.53% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $810.36 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.69, the EPS surprise was +2.6%.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how East West Bancorp performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net interest margin: 3.5% versus the six-analyst average estimate of 3.4%.Efficiency ratio: 34.4% versus 35.2% estimated by six analysts on average.Annualized quarterly net charge-offs to average loans HFI: 0.2% compared to the 0.2% average estimate based on six analysts.Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets: $81.83 billion compared to the $82.06 billion average estimate based on four analysts.Total nonperforming assets: $256.14 million compared to the $250.96 million average estimate based on three analysts.Leverage ratio: 11.1% versus the three-analyst average estimate of 11.1%.Tier 1 capital ratio: 15.4% compared to the 15.5% average estimate based on three analysts.Total capital ratio: 16.7% compared to the 16.7% average estimate based on three analysts.Total nonaccrual loans: $174.36 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $215.02 million.Net Interest Income: $718.9 million versus $703.38 million estimated by six analysts on average.Total Noninterest Income: $103.85 million versus $106.24 million estimated by six analysts on average.Commercial and consumer deposit-related fees: $32.6 million versus $31.82 million estimated by five analysts on average.View all Key Company Metrics for East West Bancorp here>>>
Shares of East West Bancorp have returned -1.8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.7% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.
Banc of California Bets on Short-Term PainEast West Bancorp NASDAQ: EWBC reported record revenue, net interest income, pre-tax pre-provision income and diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2026, supported by deposit growth, expanding net interest margin and continued loan growth.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dominic Ng said the company generated more than $1.4 billion in net deposit growth during the quarter, with notable inflows into money market accounts. Deposits and loans both reached record levels, while the company’s average deposit cost declined by 2 basis points despite the growth in balances.
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MarketBeat Week in Review – 04/06 - 04/10 “Deposit growth continued to be a key driver of our performance,” Ng said. He added that asset quality remained within management’s expectations, with charge-offs, non-performing assets and criticized loans remaining controlled.
Higher NII Outlook and Stable Margin Expectations
Chief Financial Officer Chris Del Moral-Niles said net interest margin expanded 6 basis points from the second quarter, as positive asset repricing and flat liability costs lifted net interest income to a record level. Average total deposit costs and total funding costs each declined by 2 basis points sequentially.
East West Bancorp: Confronting the Risks With Record Results For the first nine months of 2026, net interest income increased 9.5% from a year earlier. Management raised its full-year outlook and now expects net interest income growth of 9% to 10%, assuming short-term interest rates remain at current levels through year-end.
Del Moral-Niles said a further 25-basis-point rate increase would be worth roughly $2.5 million per month to net interest income, with an estimated lag of about 45 days. The company remains asset-sensitive and expects higher rates to support net interest income growth, although additional rate hikes could eventually contribute to higher deposit costs.
Management expects fourth-quarter net interest margin to remain broadly stable, though Del Moral-Niles said it could expand depending on rate movements and deposit pricing. East West has approximately $15 billion in certificates of deposit scheduled to mature during the fourth quarter. The company said its current six-month, nine-month and 12-month CD specials were priced at 3.65%, 3.78% and 3.88%, respectively.
Loan Growth Led by Residential Mortgages and Multifamily Lending
Loans increased 7% from a year earlier, consistent with East West’s full-year loan growth guidance of 6% to 8%. Residential mortgage lending was the largest contributor during the quarter, producing nearly $400 million in net growth. Management said it expects residential mortgages to remain an important driver because of a strong pipeline.
Multifamily lending also posted strong growth, reflecting housing demand in the bank’s core markets. Commercial real estate growth was led by long-standing clients reentering the market, including purchases at discounted levels.
Commercial and industrial balances declined modestly from the second quarter, primarily due to lower non-depository financial institution borrowing in consumer credit, mortgage credit and other categories. Del Moral-Niles said core bilateral C&I lending nevertheless rose by more than $200 million and was broad-based across industries. Total commitments increased, though utilization declined slightly from the prior quarter, according to Chief Risk Officer Irene Oh.
Credit Performance Remains Solid, Charge-Off Guidance Reduced
Third-quarter net charge-offs fell to $22 million, or 15 basis points, from $27 million, or 19 basis points, in the second quarter. Year-to-date annualized net charge-offs were 14 basis points. In light of the year-to-date performance, management narrowed its full-year net charge-off forecast to 15 to 20 basis points.
Non-performing assets rose by 1 basis point from the prior quarter to 30 basis points as of Sept. 30. The company recorded a $45 million provision for credit losses, compared with $33 million in the second quarter. Its allowance for credit losses increased by $23 million to $865 million, equal to 1.45% of total loans.
Oh said increases in criticized C&I loans were not concentrated in a single industry or asset category. She attributed the movement partly to fewer upgrades offsetting downgrades during the quarter. The company also took possession of certain nonperforming properties through foreclosure and deeds in lieu, creating an increase in other real estate owned. Oh said the properties were geographically and by asset type dispersed, with some already subject to letters of intent.
Management acknowledged that interest rates remaining higher for longer could increase credit pressure across the banking industry, but Oh said East West’s underwriting discipline, low loan-to-value ratios and collateral positions have supported performance.
Fee Growth, Expense Discipline and Capital Flexibility
Fee income rose 11% year over year during the first nine months of 2026, driven by wealth management, deposit-related fees and foreign exchange income. East West continues to expect fee income growth of more than 10% for the full year.
The company’s Asia payments program is active for Hong Kong-based business, with increases in transaction counts, wire volumes and dollar volumes, Del Moral-Niles said. Its mainland China program is now live, although transaction volumes remain modest. Management expects activity there to build through the fourth quarter and the first quarter of 2027.
Wealth management fees declined by $4 million sequentially, reflecting lower structured-product sales. However, management said it continues to add personnel and formally launched a registered investment advisory entity during the third quarter as it builds its wealth-management capabilities.
Total operating non-interest expense declined during the quarter, aided by lower other operating costs and lower compensation and benefits expense. The efficiency ratio improved to 34.4%, while operating non-interest expense as a percentage of average assets declined 8 basis points to 1.21%.
Computer- and software-related costs increased 21% year over year as East West continued technology investment. Del Moral-Niles said the bank’s artificial intelligence pilot programs have focused on efficiency and faster evaluation processes rather than revenue generation. Ng described the bank as an “early follower” in AI, saying the company would adopt proven applications while maintaining its focus on relationship banking and cross-border services.
East West ended the quarter with a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 15.4% and a tangible common equity ratio of 10%. The company declared a fourth-quarter dividend of $0.80 per share and had $117 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization. Management said organic growth remains its primary capital priority, while retaining flexibility for repurchases and disciplined acquisition opportunities.
About East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC)East West Bancorp, Inc is the parent company of East West Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Pasadena, California. The bank serves businesses, professionals, consumers and institutions through a range of deposit, lending and financial services.
Its products and services include commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate financing, residential and consumer lending, checking and savings accounts, treasury management, international banking, wealth management and foreign-exchange services.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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In its upcoming report, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is predicted by Wall Street analysts to post quarterly earnings of $2.69 per share, reflecting an increase of 2.7% compared to the same period last year. Revenues are forecasted to be $810.36 million, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.2%.
The current level reflects an upward revision of 0.6% in the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter over the past 30 days. This demonstrates how the analysts covering the stock have collectively reappraised their initial projections over this period.
Prior to a company's earnings announcement, it is crucial to consider revisions to earnings estimates. This serves as a significant indicator for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock. Empirical research has consistently demonstrated a robust correlation between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.
With that in mind, let's delve into the average projections of some East West Bancorp metrics that are commonly tracked and projected by analysts on Wall Street.
Analysts predict that the 'Net interest margin' will reach 3.4%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 3.5% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts expect 'Efficiency ratio' to come in at 35.2%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 35.6% in the same quarter last year.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets' reaching $82.06 billion. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $76.21 billion in the same quarter last year.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Total nonperforming assets' will reach $250.96 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $200.74 million.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Leverage ratio' should arrive at 11.1%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 10.7% in the same quarter last year.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Tier 1 capital ratio' will reach 15.5%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 14.8% in the same quarter of the previous year.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Total capital ratio' at 16.7%. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of 16.2%.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Total nonaccrual loans' of $215.02 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $156.93 million in the same quarter last year.
Analysts forecast 'Net Interest Income' to reach $703.38 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $677.53 million in the same quarter last year.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Total Noninterest Income' will likely reach $106.24 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $100.52 million.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Commercial and consumer deposit-related fees' should come in at $31.82 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $28.41 million in the same quarter last year.
The consensus estimate for 'Foreign exchange income' stands at $15.00 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $14.49 million.
View all Key Company Metrics for East West Bancorp here>>>
Shares of East West Bancorp have experienced a change of -1.3% in the past month compared to the +1.4% move of the Zacks S&P 500 composite. With a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), EWBC is expected to outperform the overall market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
The market expects East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended September 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on October 20. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.69 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +2.7%.
Revenues are expected to be $810.89 million, up 4.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.94% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for East West Bancorp?For East West Bancorp, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.26%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that East West Bancorp will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that East West Bancorp would post earnings of $2.61 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.63, delivering a surprise of +0.77%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
East West Bancorp doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Expected Results of an Industry PlayerAmong the stocks in the Zacks Banks - West industry, Zions (ZION - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.64 per share for the quarter ended September 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +6.5%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $894.32 million, up 2.6% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for Zions has been revised 0.9% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a higher Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +1.18%.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), suggests that Zions will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
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What are the Zacks Style Scores? Developed alongside the Zacks Rank, the Zacks Style Scores are a group of complementary indicators that help investors pick stocks with the best chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFinding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value, are what value investors like to focus on. So, the Value Style Score takes into account ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to highlight the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreGrowth investors, on the other hand, are more concerned with a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score examines things like projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks that will experience sustainable growth over time.
Momentum ScoreMomentum investors, who live by the saying "the trend is your friend," are most interested in taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Utilizing one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, among other factors, the Momentum Style Score can help determine favorable times to buy high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank The Zacks Rank, which is a proprietary stock-rating model, employs earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to make building a winning portfolio easier.
#1 (Strong Buy) stocks have produced an unmatched +23.86% average annual return since 1988, which is more than double the S&P 500's performance over the same time frame. However, the Zacks Rank examines a ton of stocks, and there can be more than 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, and another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
This totals more than 800 top-rated stocks, and it can be overwhelming to try and pick the best stocks for you and your portfolio.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
To have the best chance of big returns, you'll want to always consider stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B, which will give you the highest probability of success. If you're looking at stocks with a #3 (Hold) rank, it's important they have Scores of A or B as well to ensure as much upside potential as possible.
As mentioned above, the Scores are designed to work with the Zacks Rank, so any change to a company's earnings outlook should be a deciding factor when picking which stocks to buy.
For instance, a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one that boasts Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings forecast, and a much greater likelihood its share price will decline as well.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) Headquartered in Pasadena, CA, East West Bancorp is the bank holding company for East West Bank. Incorporated in 1998, the company serves as a financial bridge between the United States and China by providing various consumer as well as commercial banking services to the Asian-American community.
EWBC is a #2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B.
It also boasts a Value Style Score of B thanks to attractive valuation metrics like a forward P/E ratio of 11.8; value investors should take notice.
Five analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.05 to $10.64 per share. EWBC boasts an average earnings surprise of +4.6%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, EWBC should be on investors' short list.
Investors with an interest in Banks - West stocks have likely encountered both Bank of Hawaii (BOH - Free Report) and East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) . But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.
We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The proven Zacks Rank emphasizes companies with positive estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highlight stocks with specific traits.
Bank of Hawaii has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while East West Bancorp has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now. Investors should feel comfortable knowing that BOH likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than EWBC has recently. But this is just one piece of the puzzle for value investors.
Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.
Our Value category grades stocks based on a number of key metrics, including the tried-and-true P/E ratio, the P/S ratio, earnings yield, and cash flow per share, as well as a variety of other fundamentals that value investors frequently use.
BOH currently has a forward P/E ratio of 11.27, while EWBC has a forward P/E of 11.78. We also note that BOH has a PEG ratio of 0.76. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. EWBC currently has a PEG ratio of 1.40.
Another notable valuation metric for BOH is its P/B ratio of 1.71. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, EWBC has a P/B of 1.86.
Based on these metrics and many more, BOH holds a Value grade of B, while EWBC has a Value grade of C.
BOH has seen stronger estimate revision activity and sports more attractive valuation metrics than EWBC, so it seems like value investors will conclude that BOH is the superior option right now.
Key Takeaways EWBC's CET1 ratio reached 15.44%, supporting growth while leaving room for higher capital returns.East West Bancorp raised its quarterly dividend 33.3% to 80 cents per share in January 2026.EWBC had $117M left for buybacks as of June 30, 2026, while prioritizing disciplined organic growth. East West Bancorp’s (EWBC - Free Report) strong balance sheet is giving it room to pursue growth while returning more capital to shareholders. As of June 30, 2026, the company had $5.09 billion in cash and cash equivalents against $3.04 billion in total debt. East West Bancorp’s common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratio stood at 15.44% and the tangible common equity ratio was at 10.41%, both rising year over year and comfortably above regulatory requirements.
The bank has increasingly used this flexibility to enhance shareholder returns. In January 2026, EWBC raised its quarterly dividend 33.3% to 80 cents per share. The company has increased its dividend five times over the past five years, resulting in annualized dividend growth of 17.5%. The pace of these increases suggests that management remains confident in the bank’s earnings capacity and capital position.
Buybacks provide another avenue for capital distribution. East West Bancorp added $300 million to its repurchase authorization in 2025, with $117 million still available as of June 30, 2026. At the same time, management continues to prioritize organic growth and disciplined M&A, alongside dividends and repurchases. This diversified approach helps the bank return excess capital without relying heavily on any one method of distribution.
EWBC’s capital return strategy also stands out when compared with peers such as Zions Bancorporation (ZION - Free Report) and Wintrust Financial (WTFC - Free Report) . Zions continues to emphasize dividends and buybacks, with its board authorizing up to $225 million of additional share repurchases for the remainder of 2026. ZION also maintained a quarterly common dividend of 45 cents per share. Wintrust, meanwhile, has leaned more toward gradually increasing its dividend as earnings expand. WTFC raised its quarterly dividend 10% to 55 cents per share in January 2026 and maintained that payout through the second quarter.
Against these peers, EWBC’s 33.3% dividend increase is notably stronger and points to management’s confidence in its capital-generation capacity. The key question is whether East West Bancorp can sustain growth while raising capital distributions. So far, its strong capital ratios, liquidity and earnings base suggest that higher distributions are not materially constraining growth. If profitability remains resilient and credit trends stay stable, EWBC appears well-positioned to continue funding expansion while maintaining competitive dividends and opportunistic buybacks.
EWBC’s Price Performance & Zacks RankOver the past six months, EWBC shares have gained 22.6% compared with the industry’s 10.3% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, East West Bancorp carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
The trick to finding great dividend companies is to actually just find great companies.
Companies can pay strong dividends and raise them every year when they have strong operating businesses that generate strong free cash flow or earnings to fund those dividends.
Often, a high dividend yield will draw investors in, but it could signal that a company is experiencing underlying issues that have sent its share price down and its dividend yield higher. That's why understanding a company's financials is key.
Banks are often a great sector to look for strong dividend stocks. In fact, one bank stock increased its dividend by 33% this year, and it's well-positioned to keep raising it for years to come.
Image source: Getty Images.
A strong regional bank generating strong returns East West Bancorp (EWBC +1.28%) is a large regional bank based in Pasadena, California. The bank ended the second quarter with nearly $85 billion in total assets.
That makes it much smaller than a large, money-center bank like Bank of America, but still fairly large compared to most banks in the country. Most of the bank's loans are commercial real estate and commercial and industrial, but East West also has a large mortgage portfolio.
East West has largely succeeded by finding a niche within the Asian-American community. Interestingly, the bank also holds a banking license in China, which is unique among U.S.-based regional banks.
The company's strategy has worked well, with the bank generating strong returns.
At the end of the second quarter, the bank generated a 1.75% return on average assets and a 16.88% return on average tangible common equity (ROTCE), both of which were quite strong by industry standards, while credit trends remained largely stable.
As such, the bank has been rewarded with a premium valuation, about 75% more than the average for regional banks.
EWBC Price to Tangible Book Value data by YCharts
Assessing the dividend East West raised its quarterly dividend from $0.60 per share to $0.80 per share earlier this year, due to strong financial performance. Diluted earnings per share rose 14% year over year in 2025. In the second quarter of 2026, they rose 18%.
The annualized yield is now almost 2.6%, which is solid and more than double the average for the S&P 500. Banks are also known for maintaining fairly modest payout ratios, which measure how much of a company's earnings are paid out in dividends.
EWBC Payout Ratio (TTM) data by YCharts
The payout ratio is more relevant for banks than free cash flow because bank balance sheets differ from those of most other companies, and there are really minimal capital expenditures at most banks. Banks also must maintain regulatory capital to be prepared for unexpected loan losses.
East West is well capitalized from a regulatory perspective. At the end of the second quarter, the bank had a 15.44% common equity tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio, which looks at a bank's core capital as a percentage of its risk-weighted assets, most of which are loans.
East West has a minimum regulatory CET1 requirement of 7%, meaning it has more than double the required amount.
When assessing bank dividends, the difference between a bank's CET1 ratio and its required minimum ultimately determines how much excess capital banks have to return to shareholders and use to increase lending.
So, I suspect East West will be able to continue raising its dividend for many years to come if it chooses to. The bank is generating strong earnings, maintains a low payout ratio, and has ample excess capital. Dividend investors should check this one out.
Key Takeaways EWBC gained 17.7% in six months, outpacing its industry, the broader market and close peers.East West Bancorp expects 2026 NII growth of 7-9% and loan growth of 6-8%.EWBC faces rising expenses and weaker asset quality, even as earnings estimates move higher. Shares of East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) have gained 17.7% in the past six months, outperforming the industry’s 5.7% growth and the S&P 500 Index’s 16.6% rally.
If we compare the company’s price performance with its close peers like Zions Bancorporation (ZION - Free Report) and Old National Bancorp (ONB - Free Report) , it appears that the EWBC stock has outperformed both. In the past six months, ZION and ONB shares have rallied 9.7% and 15.3%, respectively.
6-Month Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Does the EWBC stock have more upside left despite recent strength in price? Let us find out by looking at its fundamentals and growth prospects.
Key Positives of East West BancorpSolid Net Interest Income (NII) Growth: East West Bancorp’s NII, which is the primary revenue source, declined in 2020 and 2024 (due to a challenging operating backdrop), but the metric has witnessed a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7% in the last six years (2019-2025), supported by higher loan balances. The upward trend continued in the first half of 2026.
Supported by continued loan growth and deposit repricing, the company’s NII is expected to keep improving. Down-rate protection hedge programs, rising interest-earning assets and a continued focus on acquiring low-cost deposits are expected to offer additional support.
Management expects NII in 2026 to grow 7-9% and loans to rise 6-8%. We project NII to grow 8.4%, 6.5% and 6.8% in 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Expanding Net Interest Margin (NIM): Supported by higher rates, EWBC’s NIM rose to 3.41% in 2025 from 3.27% in 2024. The upward trend continued in the first six months of 2026 as period-end cost of deposits fell.
The company’s non-interest-bearing deposits increased 19% year over year and represented 26% of total deposits as of June 30, 2026. Recently, the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates by 25 bps, suggesting a higher-for-longer rate backdrop. Thus, supported by a favorable rate environment, EWBC’s NIM is expected to continue to expand in the near term. We estimate NIM to expand to 3.44% in 2026, 3.45% in 2027 and 3.51% in 2028.
Robust Fee Revenue Growth: East West Bancorp’s non-interest income has been consistently improving over the past few years. The metric witnessed a CAGR of 10.4% in the last six years (2019-2025), with the momentum continuing in the first six months of 2026. Deposit account fees and lending fees were the key contributors, comprising 29.8% and 25.8% of total non-interest income, respectively, in the first half of 2026.
As management expects steady growth in deposits and loans through sustained client acquisition, the company’s fee income is likely to get a further boost. We expect total non-interest income to witness a CAGR of 4.4% by 2028. This year, we expect deposit account fees and lending fees to grow 11.6% and 3.5%, respectively.
Balance Sheet Strength: East West Bancorp has a solid balance sheet position. As of June 30, 2026, the company had total debt (comprising Federal Home Loan Bank advances and long-term debt and finance lease liabilities) of $3.04 billion, while cash and cash equivalents were $5.09 billion.
It has investment-grade credit ratings of BBB and BBB+ and a stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, respectively. This liquidity and credit profile support continued balance sheet growth and the ability to meet funding needs through changing economic conditions.
East West Bancorp’s capital distribution activities seem impressive. In January 2026, the company hiked its quarterly dividend 33.3%. Also, it has a share repurchase authorization in place. In 2025, it announced an additional repurchase plan of $300 million. As of June 30, 2026, $117 million of authorization remained available for repurchase.
Management lists organic growth, a competitive dividend, disciplined M&A and share buybacks as its capital priorities, indicating continued capacity for shareholder distributions alongside business investment.
What’s Hurting EWBC’s Growth?Rising Expenses: East West Bancorp’s non-interest expenses have been trending higher. Though the metric declined in 2020 and 2024, it saw a CAGR of 6.1% in the last six years (2019-2025), with the uptrend continuing in the first six months of 2026. The increase has mainly been due to a rise in compensation and employee benefit costs.
Expense Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Management expects operating expense growth of 8-9% in 2026. Compensation is expected to moderate in the second half as deferred compensation and vacation-pay effects ease, but continued investments in people and platforms are expected. If revenue growth softens, the higher expense base could weigh on operating leverage and earnings growth. We project total non-interest expenses to witness a CAGR of 6.5% by 2028.
Weak Asset Quality: East West Bancorp’s asset quality has been deteriorating over the past few years. While the company recorded negative provisions in 2021, a substantial jump in provisions was recorded thereafter as it continued to build reserves to combat the tough economic backdrop.
The provision for credit losses witnessed a CAGR of 8.4% in the six years ended 2025. Net charge-offs (NCOs) have witnessed a volatile trend in the past few years. Though NCOs increased and provisions declined in the first half of 2026, both are expected to remain elevated in the near term, given the challenging macroeconomic backdrop. We expect provisions to increase 4.2% in the third quarter of 2026, while NCOs are likely to soar 55.3%.
Analyst Sentiments for EWBCOver the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EWBC’s 2026 and 2027 earnings has been revised higher. This indicates that analysts are optimistic regarding the company’s earnings growth prospects.
Earnings Estimate Revision
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Final Verdict on EWBC StockEast West Bancorp’s outlook remains supported by expanding NII and NIM, steady fee-income growth, and a strong funding profile. Continued loan growth, deposit repricing and a higher mix of non-interest-bearing deposits are expected to keep aiding revenues. Upward revisions to near-term earnings estimates further strengthen the company’s growth outlook.
However, rising operating expenses and weakening asset quality remain key concerns, which make us apprehensive about its prospects. Thus, it does not seem a wise idea to invest in the stock immediately, taking into consideration its headwinds. However, those who already own the stock, should hold on to it, because EWBC is less likely to disappoint in the long run.
Currently, East West Bancorp carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Headquartered in Pasadena, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is a Finance stock that has seen a price change of 12.93% so far this year. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.52%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.63% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.44%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 31%, meaning it paid out 31% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Looking at this fiscal year, EWBC expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.61 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 11.80%.
From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. It's important to keep in mind that not all companies provide a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 1,717,034 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $221,652,000. Bank of America Corp DE owned about 1.25% of East West Bancorp as of its most recent filing with the SEC.
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in East West Bancorp during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,744,958,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of East West Bancorp by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,825,161 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $319,523,000 after buying an additional 27,402 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 9.6% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,915,445 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $204,470,000 after buying an additional 168,029 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the fourth quarter worth approximately $199,529,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in East West Bancorp in the second quarter valued at approximately $130,744,000. 89.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Director Jack Liu sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total transaction of $135,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 13,709 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,850,989.18. This represents a 6.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Manuel Alvarez sold 810 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.40, for a total value of $105,624.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 10,629 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,386,021.60. The trade was a 7.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 11,810 shares of company stock worth $1,564,344. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Price Performance NASDAQ EWBC opened at $126.18 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $131.23 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.36. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 52-week low of $92.67 and a 52-week high of $137.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market cap of $17.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.13, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.93. East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The firm had revenue of $789.98 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $784.47 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.24 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is 30.77%.
Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have issued reports on EWBC shares. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on East West Bancorp in a research note on Monday, August 10th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 price target on the stock. DA Davidson raised their price target on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $152.00 price objective on shares of East West Bancorp in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $144.15.
Read Our Latest Analysis on East West Bancorp
East West Bancorp Company Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc (NASDAQ: EWBC) is the holding company for East West Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1973, the company provides banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions through its East West Bank subsidiary.
East West Bank offers deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, residential mortgage services, wealth management, treasury management, and international banking services. Its products support commercial real estate, commercial and industrial businesses, residential borrowers, and consumers.
The bank has a particular focus on serving communities and businesses connected to the United States and Greater China.
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NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its position in East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) by 39.2% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 26,768 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,541 shares during the quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC’s holdings in East West Bancorp were worth $3,455,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in East West Bancorp by 26.4% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,515 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 525 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC lifted its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 61.2% during the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 83,620 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $10,795,000 after purchasing an additional 31,761 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 3.4% during the second quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 2,967 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $383,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in East West Bancorp by 71.2% in the second quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 3,947 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $510,000 after buying an additional 1,641 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in East West Bancorp by 0.5% in the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 37,974 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $4,902,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.53% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wall Street Zen raised East West Bancorp from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Truist Financial upped their price target on East West Bancorp from $128.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. Barclays increased their price target on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $152.00 price objective on shares of East West Bancorp in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, East West Bancorp currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $144.15.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on EWBC Insider Buying and Selling In other East West Bancorp news, Director Jack Liu sold 1,000 shares of East West Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total value of $135,020.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 13,709 shares in the company, valued at $1,850,989.18. The trade was a 6.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Manuel Alvarez sold 810 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.40, for a total transaction of $105,624.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 10,629 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,386,021.60. This represents a 7.08% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 11,810 shares of company stock worth $1,564,344 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Trading Down 0.8% Shares of East West Bancorp stock opened at $128.73 on Wednesday. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 12-month low of $92.67 and a 12-month high of $137.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $17.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $131.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $123.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $789.98 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.24 earnings per share. Research analysts expect that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 3rd. East West Bancorp’s payout ratio is currently 30.77%.
East West Bancorp Company Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc (NASDAQ: EWBC) is the holding company for East West Bank, a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Pasadena, California. Founded in 1973, the company provides banking and financial services to individuals, businesses, and institutions through its East West Bank subsidiary.
East West Bank offers deposit accounts, commercial and consumer lending, residential mortgage services, wealth management, treasury management, and international banking services. Its products support commercial real estate, commercial and industrial businesses, residential borrowers, and consumers.
The bank has a particular focus on serving communities and businesses connected to the United States and Greater China.
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East West Bancorp, Inc. (EWBC) Barclays 24th Annual Global Financial Services Conference September 14, 2026 2:00 PM EDT
Company Participants
Christopher Del Moral-Niles - Executive VP & CFO
Conference Call Participants
Jared David Shaw - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Presentation
Jared David Shaw
Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Good afternoon, everybody. My name is Jared Shaw. I cover the mid-cap banks here at Barclays. We're excited to start the mid-cap -- the first mid-cap panel or a fireside chat of our conference with Chris Del Moral-Niles from East West Bank, the CFO. Thanks a lot for coming.
Christopher Del Moral-Niles
Executive VP & CFO
My pleasure.
Jared David Shaw
Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Just informed me he's fresh off a transpacific flight. So we appreciate you having the East Coast time.
Christopher Del Moral-Niles
Executive VP & CFO
Yes. It's always a great event, one that I've been delighted to participate alongside you, Jared, here for the last couple of years, and I look forward to many, many more in the years ahead. I will make sure everyone addresses Adrienne here in the front row, who I think you all know is Director of IR. And with us today is also Chris Mattern, our Treasurer. And so we've been having good dialogue with folks all this morning and look forward to good dialogues over the next day or so. Thanks for a full lineup up until 5:30 every day.
Jared David Shaw
Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
We want to keep you busy, for sure.
Christopher Del Moral-Niles
Executive VP & CFO
Thank you. Thank you.
Question-and-Answer Session
Jared David Shaw
Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Great. Thanks. Well, just kicking it off, East West remains differentiated through its exposure to both U.S. and Asian markets. As you look across the franchise today, what do you think continues to
Key Takeaways East West Bancorp's revenues rose to $1.56 billion in the first half of 2026 on higher NII and fees.EWBC's loan and deposit growth, plus a higher mix of non-interest-bearing deposits, support NII and margins.EWBC's diversified fee businesses support revenues, with non-interest income expected to grow through 2028. East West Bancorp, Inc.’s (EWBC - Free Report) focus on organic balance sheet expansion is strengthening its revenue-generating capabilities. Continued loan and deposit growth, a higher mix of non-interest-bearing deposits, and disciplined pricing are supporting net interest income (NII) and margins, while diversified fee businesses are providing an additional source of revenue growth.
East West Bancorp’s total revenues increased 11.4% to $1.56 billion in the first half of 2026 from the year-ago period, supported by growth in both NII and non-interest income.
Revenue Growth Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Robust Balance Sheet Drives EWBC’s NII and Margin StabilityEast West Bancorp remains focused on organic balance sheet expansion. NII recorded a CAGR of 9.7% during 2019-2025, with the uptrend continuing in the first half of 2026. At the end of the first six months of 2026, average loans increased 7.1% year over year to $57.6 billion, while average interest-earning assets rose 7.8% to $79 billion.
Net Interest Income Trend
Image Source: East West Bancorp, Inc.
The favorable funding mix provides additional support to EWBC’s NII and margins. Non-interest-bearing deposits increased 19% year over year as of June 30, 2026, representing 26% of total deposits. Total deposits grew 7.8% to $70.1 billion. The Federal Reserve’s hawkish monetary policy stance is also expected to support NII and margins. This, along with down-rate protection hedge programs, rising interest-earning assets and a continued focus on acquiring low-cost deposits, will likely offer support.
Management expects NII to grow 7-9% and loans to rise 6-8% in 2026. Deposit remixing is expected to help offset modest loan-yield compression, supporting relatively stable net interest margin (NIM) under a flat-rate scenario. We project NII to grow 8.4%, 6.5% and 6.8% in 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively, while NIM is estimated at 3.44%, 3.45% and 3.51%, respectively. Our estimates for total loans suggest a CAGR of 6.3% by 2028.
EWBC’s Fee Businesses Broaden Revenue GrowthEast West Bancorp’s non-interest income recorded a CAGR of 10.4% during 2019-2025, with the momentum continuing in the first six months of 2026. Deposit account fees and lending fees accounted for 29.8% and 25.8%, respectively, of total non-interest income during the period.
Fee Income Trend
Image Source: East West Bancorp, Inc.
As management expects steady growth in deposits and loans through sustained client acquisition, fee income is expected to benefit. East West Bancorp anticipates double-digit fee income growth, with support from wealth management income, commercial and consumer deposit fees, FX fees, and loan-related fees.
We project total non-interest income to record a CAGR of 4.4% by 2028. In 2026, per our estimates, deposit account fees and lending fees will grow 11.6% and 3.5%, respectively.
Our Take on East West Bancorp’s Revenue UpsideEast West Bancorp’s organic balance sheet expansion is expected to support sustained revenue growth. Healthy loan growth, a favorable deposit mix, and diversified fee businesses provide multiple avenues for top-line expansion. Our estimates for total revenues suggest a CAGR of 6.9% by 2028.
Over the past year, EWBC shares have gained 17.4%, outperforming the industry’s 4.3% growth.
One-Year Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Currently, East West Bancorp carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
How Are EWBC’s Peers Faring in Terms of Revenues?Columbia Banking System, Inc.’s (COLB - Free Report) revenue growth is supported by balance sheet optimization and fee-income diversification. Total revenues rose 19% to $2.30 billion in 2025, with the metric witnessing a 38.0% CAGR over the 2021-2025 period. This momentum continued during the first six months of 2026, supported by customer acquisition and higher activity across treasury management, cards and wealth services.
Columbia Banking’s fee businesses, including treasury management, commercial cards, financial services, trust and international banking, continue to grow. Pacific Premier added custodial trust, HOA banking, escrow, and 1031 exchange capabilities, expanding cross-selling and wallet share. COLB projects non-interest revenues in the mid-$80-million range in the third quarter.
Zions Bancorporation’s (ZION - Free Report) revenue growth is supported by steady organic expansion, loan growth, and fee income diversification. Total revenues registered a 3.9% CAGR over the 2021-2025 period, while loans and leases grew at a 2.6% CAGR. Both metrics continued to improve in the first half of 2026, supported by resilient loan demand and easing funding pressures. We project adjusted revenues to increase 4% in 2026, 3.9% in 2027 and 5.8% in 2028.
Lower funding costs, loan growth, deposit repricing and fixed-rate asset repricing are expected to support NII, and we expect NIM to rise to 3.27% in 2026, 3.30% in 2027 and 3.34% in 2028 from 3.21% in 2025.
Zions’ fee businesses are benefiting from growth in capital markets and customer-related activities. The acquisition of Basis Multifamily’s agency lending platform added origination and servicing capabilities, strengthening its multifamily offerings and creating additional fee-income opportunities. Management expects adjusted customer-related non-interest income to rise moderately from the prior year, with capital markets contributing significantly to growth.
Barclays (NYSE:BCS – Get Free Report) and East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) are both large-cap finance companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, dividends, valuation and profitability.
Profitability This table compares Barclays and East West Bancorp’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Barclays 22.27% 8.80% 0.42% East West Bancorp 30.45% 16.07% 1.75% Institutional and Insider Ownership 3.4% of Barclays shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 89.5% of East West Bancorp shares are held by institutional investors. 0.0% of Barclays shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of East West Bancorp shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Ratings This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for Barclays and East West Bancorp, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Barclays 0 6 4 0 2.40 East West Bancorp 0 4 10 1 2.80 East West Bancorp has a consensus price target of $144.15, indicating a potential upside of 11.53%. Given East West Bancorp’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe East West Bancorp is more favorable than Barclays.
Volatility and Risk Barclays has a beta of 0.99, indicating that its stock price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, East West Bancorp has a beta of 0.93, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Dividends Barclays pays an annual dividend of $0.59 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. East West Bancorp pays an annual dividend of $3.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Barclays pays out 22.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. East West Bancorp pays out 30.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. East West Bancorp has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years. East West Bancorp is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.
Earnings & Valuation This table compares Barclays and East West Bancorp”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Barclays $30.75 billion 2.94 $9.46 billion $2.68 9.99 East West Bancorp $4.67 billion 3.79 $1.33 billion $10.40 12.43 Barclays has higher revenue and earnings than East West Bancorp. Barclays is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than East West Bancorp, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary East West Bancorp beats Barclays on 14 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Barclays (Get Free Report)
Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through Barclays UK and Barclays International division segments. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services. In addition, the company engages in securities dealing activities. The company was formerly known as Barclays Bank Limited and changed its name to Barclays PLC in January 1985. Barclays PLC was founded in 1690 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.
(Get Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc. operates as the bank holding company for East West Bank that provides a range of personal and commercial banking services to businesses and individuals in the United States. The company operates through three segments: Consumer and Business Banking, Commercial Banking, and Other. It accepts various deposit products, such as personal and business checking and savings accounts, money market, and time deposits. The company’s loan products include mortgage and home equity, commercial and residential real estate, working capital lines of credit, construction finance, trade finance, letters of credit, commercial business, affordable housing loans, asset-based lending, asset-backed finance, project finance, loan syndication, and equipment financing, as well as financing services for clients to facilitate their business transactions between the United States and Asia. It also provides various wealth management, treasury management, foreign exchange, and interest rate and commodity risk hedging services; and mobile and online banking services. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Pasadena, California.
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Nykredit A S bought a new position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 5,192 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $670,000.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Solstein Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of East West Bancorp during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Ancora Advisors LLC bought a new stake in East West Bancorp in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in East West Bancorp in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Fiduciary Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in East West Bancorp during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 89.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, Vice Chairman Douglas Krause sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.37, for a total transaction of $1,323,700.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 36,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,894,248.38. This represents a 21.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Jack Liu sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total value of $135,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 13,709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,850,989.18. This represents a 6.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 23,511 shares of company stock worth $3,077,741. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have weighed in on EWBC. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on East West Bancorp in a report on Monday, August 10th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 price target for the company. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and set a $152.00 target price on shares of East West Bancorp in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Stephens lifted their target price on East West Bancorp from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, East West Bancorp has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $141.92. View Our Latest Research Report on East West Bancorp
East West Bancorp Stock Performance EWBC opened at $130.77 on Tuesday. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 1-year low of $92.67 and a 1-year high of $137.47. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a market cap of $17.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $131.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $122.83.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.61 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $789.98 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The business’s revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.24 EPS. Analysts predict that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.77%.
East West Bancorp Company Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Based in Pasadena, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 16.21%. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.45%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.59% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.36%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 31%, meaning it paid out 31% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for EWBC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.61 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 11.80%.
From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG decreased its position in East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) by 7.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,067 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 5,250 shares during the quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG’s holdings in East West Bancorp were worth $8,012,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Solstein Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the second quarter worth $27,000. Ancora Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of East West Bancorp in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Kelleher Financial Advisors bought a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Fiduciary Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in East West Bancorp during the second quarter worth about $35,000. 89.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently commented on EWBC shares. Wall Street Zen raised East West Bancorp from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 1st. Stephens raised their price target on East West Bancorp from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and set a $152.00 price objective on shares of East West Bancorp in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Finally, Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $141.92.
Check Out Our Latest Report on East West Bancorp East West Bancorp Stock Performance Shares of EWBC stock opened at $130.61 on Friday. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 12-month low of $92.67 and a 12-month high of $137.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.93. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $131.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $122.66.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $789.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.24 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 EPS for the current year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is 30.77%.
Insider Activity at East West Bancorp In other East West Bancorp news, insider Irene H. Oh sold 11,211 shares of East West Bancorp stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.00, for a total value of $1,446,219.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 85,998 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,093,742. The trade was a 11.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jack Liu sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total value of $135,020.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 13,709 shares in the company, valued at $1,850,989.18. This represents a 6.80% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 23,511 shares of company stock valued at $3,077,741 over the last 90 days. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
East West Bancorp Company Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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Benjamin Edwards Inc. acquired a new position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 12,212 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,576,000.
A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in EWBC. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 66.9% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 801 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $72,000 after acquiring an additional 321 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $274,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in East West Bancorp during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $290,000. Marshall Wace LLP increased its holdings in East West Bancorp by 34.3% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 3,223 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $325,000 after buying an additional 823 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its position in East West Bancorp by 118.7% during the second quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 35,335 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,568,000 after purchasing an additional 19,178 shares during the period. 89.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
East West Bancorp Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:EWBC opened at $126.76 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $17.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.93. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 1-year low of $92.67 and a 1-year high of $137.47. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $131.34 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $122.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $789.98 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The business’s revenue was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.24 EPS. Research analysts expect that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 EPS for the current fiscal year. East West Bancorp Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were given a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 3rd. East West Bancorp’s payout ratio is presently 30.77%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of analysts have recently issued reports on EWBC shares. Stephens lifted their price objective on shares of East West Bancorp from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on East West Bancorp in a research note on Monday, August 10th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Wall Street Zen raised East West Bancorp from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $141.92.
Check Out Our Latest Analysis on East West Bancorp
Insider Activity In related news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of East West Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.37, for a total transaction of $1,323,700.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 36,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,894,248.38. The trade was a 21.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Jack C. Liu sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total transaction of $135,020.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 13,709 shares in the company, valued at $1,850,989.18. This trade represents a 6.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 23,511 shares of company stock worth $3,077,741. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,947 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $510,000.
Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of East West Bancorp during the second quarter valued at about $1,744,958,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in shares of East West Bancorp by 84,090.3% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 5,311,566 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $596,967,000 after buying an additional 5,305,257 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of East West Bancorp by 2.2% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 4,981,065 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $559,822,000 after buying an additional 106,998 shares in the last quarter. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 4,620,772 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $519,329,000 after buying an additional 306,916 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Boston Partners boosted its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 19.6% in the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,874,737 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $412,464,000 after buying an additional 633,649 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 89.53% of the company’s stock.
Insider Buying and Selling In other East West Bancorp news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of East West Bancorp stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.37, for a total transaction of $1,323,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 36,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,894,248.38. The trade was a 21.29% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, insider Irene H. Oh sold 800 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.19, for a total transaction of $106,552.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 84,698 shares in the company, valued at $11,280,926.62. This trade represents a 0.94% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 33,511 shares of company stock valued at $4,312,741. Corporate insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:EWBC opened at $129.97 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $17.81 billion, a PE ratio of 12.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $131.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $122.02. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a twelve month low of $92.67 and a twelve month high of $137.47. East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The company had revenue of $789.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $784.47 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.24 EPS. East West Bancorp’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 EPS for the current year.
East West Bancorp Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. East West Bancorp’s payout ratio is presently 30.77%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades EWBC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen raised East West Bancorp from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 1st. DA Davidson boosted their price objective on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Stephens lifted their target price on East West Bancorp from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $152.00 target price on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $111.00 to $123.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, April 27th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $141.92.
Check Out Our Latest Report on East West Bancorp
(Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,012,810 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $130,744,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp owned 0.74% of East West Bancorp as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. grew its position in East West Bancorp by 66.9% during the first quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 801 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $72,000 after buying an additional 321 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $274,000. Baird Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $290,000. Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 34.3% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 3,223 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $325,000 after acquiring an additional 823 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 118.7% during the 2nd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 35,335 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,568,000 after acquiring an additional 19,178 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.53% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Ratings Changes EWBC has been the subject of several research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $152.00 price objective on shares of East West Bancorp in a report on Wednesday. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on East West Bancorp from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Citigroup reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price objective on shares of East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, East West Bancorp presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $141.92.
Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on East West Bancorp East West Bancorp Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:EWBC opened at $129.97 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $131.37 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $122.02. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 12-month low of $92.67 and a 12-month high of $137.47. The firm has a market cap of $17.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.50, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.94.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.61 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $789.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.24 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 EPS for the current year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were given a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is 30.77%.
Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.50, for a total transaction of $1,235,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 46,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,801,289. The trade was a 17.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Irene H. Oh sold 11,211 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.00, for a total value of $1,446,219.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 85,998 shares in the company, valued at $11,093,742. This trade represents a 11.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 33,511 shares of company stock valued at $4,312,741. Insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--East West Bancorp, Inc. (“East West” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: EWBC) announced today that management will meet with investors at several investor conferences this fall. New York – Christopher Del Moral-Niles, Chief Financial Officer, will deliver remarks during a fireside chat at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on Monday, September 14th, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Boston – Management will meet with investors to discuss East West's busi.
East West Bancorp, Inc. (âEast Westâ or the âCompanyâ) (Nasdaq: EWBC) announced today that management will meet with investors at several investor confe
BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 13,517,378 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,958,000. BlackRock Inc. owned about 9.87% of East West Bancorp at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in East West Bancorp in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Kelleher Financial Advisors acquired a new position in shares of East West Bancorp in the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of East West Bancorp in the 2nd quarter valued at $37,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB increased its position in shares of East West Bancorp by 44.7% in the 3rd quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 366 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quarry LP raised its stake in East West Bancorp by 35.4% during the 3rd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 390 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the period. 89.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Insider Activity In other news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $132.37, for a total value of $1,323,700.00. Following the sale, the insider owned 36,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,894,248.38. The trade was a 21.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Jack C. Liu sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.02, for a total transaction of $135,020.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 13,709 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,850,989.18. The trade was a 6.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 33,511 shares of company stock worth $4,312,741 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth EWBC has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on East West Bancorp in a report on Monday, August 10th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $155.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on East West Bancorp from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, June 29th. Wall Street Zen upgraded East West Bancorp from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 1st. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on East West Bancorp from $125.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $141.92. Read Our Latest Research Report on EWBC
East West Bancorp Stock Performance EWBC opened at $130.40 on Thursday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $131.43 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $121.80. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 1 year low of $92.67 and a 1 year high of $137.47. The company has a market capitalization of $17.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.88.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. East West Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.07% and a net margin of 30.45%.The company had revenue of $789.98 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $784.47 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.24 earnings per share. East West Bancorp’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 EPS for the current fiscal year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, August 3rd were issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.77%.
(Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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Whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities, all investors love seeing their portfolios score big returns. However, when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.
East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is headquartered in Pasadena, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of 20.18% since the start of the year. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.37%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.42% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.31%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 31%, meaning it paid out 31% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Looking at this fiscal year, EWBC expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.61 per share, with earnings expected to increase 11.80% from the year ago period.
From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Empowered Funds LLC trimmed its stake in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) by 78.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,815 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 24,441 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in East West Bancorp were worth $728,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in EWBC. Edgestream Partners L.P. increased its position in East West Bancorp by 7.1% in the first quarter. Edgestream Partners L.P. now owns 88,080 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $9,403,000 after buying an additional 5,828 shares during the period. Bull Harbor Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of East West Bancorp during the first quarter valued at $248,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of East West Bancorp by 19.3% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,116 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $333,000 after acquiring an additional 504 shares during the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in shares of East West Bancorp by 25.7% during the first quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 163,760 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $17,483,000 after acquiring an additional 33,519 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 32.9% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 123,169 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $13,151,000 after acquiring an additional 30,510 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.53% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Stock Performance EWBC stock opened at $135.52 on Tuesday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $131.26 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.54. The company has a market capitalization of $18.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.03, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $92.67 and a fifty-two week high of $137.47.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 30.45% and a return on equity of 16.07%. The firm had revenue of $789.98 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $784.47 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.24 EPS. East West Bancorp’s quarterly revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts predict that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.61 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. East West Bancorp Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 3rd. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.77%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth EWBC has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an “overweight” rating and issued a $150.00 price target on shares of East West Bancorp in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Barclays lifted their price target on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on East West Bancorp from $128.00 to $131.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, June 29th. Finally, DA Davidson increased their price objective on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and five have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $141.77.
View Our Latest Stock Report on East West Bancorp
Insider Activity at East West Bancorp In other East West Bancorp news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.50, for a total transaction of $1,235,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 46,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,801,289. This trade represents a 17.55% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Irene H. Oh sold 11,211 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.00, for a total value of $1,446,219.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 85,998 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,093,742. The trade was a 11.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 33,511 shares of company stock worth $4,312,741 over the last quarter. 0.94% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
East West Bancorp Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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Cetera Investment Advisers lessened its position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) by 21.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 39,632 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 10,796 shares during the quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers’ holdings in East West Bancorp were worth $4,231,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWBC. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its position in East West Bancorp by 84,090.3% during the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 5,311,566 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $596,967,000 after acquiring an additional 5,305,257 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new position in East West Bancorp in the fourth quarter valued at $199,529,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 281.3% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 1,607,314 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $180,647,000 after purchasing an additional 1,185,781 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners raised its stake in shares of East West Bancorp by 19.6% during the 3rd quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,874,737 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $412,464,000 after buying an additional 633,649 shares during the period. Finally, AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in East West Bancorp by 61.9% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 1,418,174 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $143,207,000 after purchasing an additional 542,149 shares in the last quarter. 89.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently issued reports on EWBC. Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $150.00 target price on shares of East West Bancorp in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Barclays upped their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday. DA Davidson lifted their price objective on East West Bancorp from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of East West Bancorp in a report on Friday, July 10th. Finally, Stephens upped their target price on shares of East West Bancorp from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $140.62.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on East West Bancorp
Insiders Place Their Bets In other East West Bancorp news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of East West Bancorp stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.50, for a total transaction of $1,235,000.00. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 46,974 shares in the company, valued at $5,801,289. The trade was a 17.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Irene H. Oh sold 11,211 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.00, for a total transaction of $1,446,219.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 85,998 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,093,742. This trade represents a 11.53% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 22,511 shares of company stock worth $2,854,021. Insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ:EWBC opened at $133.40 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $129.37 and a 200 day moving average price of $120.29. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a 52 week low of $92.67 and a 52 week high of $136.24. The company has a market cap of $18.28 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.83, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $791.14 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a return on equity of 16.07% and a net margin of 30.45%.The business’s revenue was up 12.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.24 EPS. Research analysts predict that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.59 earnings per share for the current year.
East West Bancorp Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 17th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, August 3rd. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.4%. East West Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.77%.
East West Bancorp Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.
While cash flow can come from bond interest or interest from other types of investments, income investors hone in on dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Based in Pasadena, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 16.56%. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.44%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.46% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.34%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 31%, meaning it paid out 31% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for EWBC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.59 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 11.59%.
Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.
High-growth firms or tech start-ups, for example, rarely provide their shareholders a dividend, while larger, more established companies that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
A $12,000 monthly dividend paycheck means $144,000 a year in gross portfolio income. That is roughly double the $68,391 per capita disposable income the BEA reported for Q1 2026, and it sits well above what most households spend. The number you keep depends on two variables: the yield tier you build around and the tax character of those securities.
The Capital Required at Each Yield Tier The equation is simple: $144,000 divided by yield equals capital required. The tradeoffs are not.
Conservative tier (3% to 4% yield). At 3.5%, hitting $144,000 requires roughly $4.11 million invested. This is the dividend-growth zone: regulated utilities, broad dividend ETFs, and large-cap payers with rising distributions. Alliant Energy (NASDAQ:LNT | LNT Price Prediction) is a fair example. Its $0.535 quarterly dividend equates to a 2.8% yield, and the payout has climbed from $0.4025 in 2021 to $0.535 in 2026. East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC) sits in a similar bucket after its 33% dividend hike to $0.80 quarterly in early 2026. Distributions from both are qualified dividends.
Moderate tier (5% to 7% yield). At 6%, capital required drops to $2.4 million. This range covers midstream MLPs, preferred shares, and higher-payout equity funds. Plains All American (NASDAQ:PAA) illustrates the MLP end: an annualized $1.595 distribution at a 6.6% yield, with distributions rising from $1.07 in 2023 to $1.67 annualized in 2026. Bank OZK preferred (NASDAQ:OZKAP) shows the preferred-share profile: a fixed $0.28906 quarterly payment unchanged since 2023.
Aggressive tier (8% to 14% yield). At 12%, $1.2 million throws off $144,000. This is where mortgage REITs, BDCs, and leveraged option-income funds live. AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) pays a $0.12 monthly dividend, an annualized 13.4% yield. That payout was cut from $0.16 in 2020, and prior rates ran higher. The high current yield does the heavy lifting on capital required. Principal stability does not come with it.
What Actually Lands in Your Bank Account Under 2026 rules for married filing jointly, the 22% bracket starts at $100,800 and the 24% bracket at $211,400, with a $32,200 standard deduction. That places $144,000 of ordinary dividend income in the 22% federal marginal bracket.
The character of the dividend dictates the actual bite:
Qualified dividends (LNT, EWBC common): taxed at the 15% long-term capital gains rate. Federal tax on $144,000 of purely qualified dividends runs roughly $17,000 after the standard deduction, leaving about $127,000. REIT dividends (AGNC): taxed as ordinary income. Effective federal tax lands closer to $18,000 to $22,000 depending on other income, so net roughly $122,000 to $126,000. MLP distributions (PAA): largely return of capital, tax-deferred at the federal level, with K-1 reporting and depreciation recapture on sale. Preferred stock (OZKAP): often non-qualified, taxed as ordinary income. State tax is the swing factor. A qualified-dividend portfolio in Florida or Texas keeps close to $127,000. That same portfolio in California, with a top state rate above 13%, delivers closer to $105,000. An ordinary-income mREIT portfolio in a high-tax state can slip under $95,000 net on the same $144,000 gross.
The Compounding Trap Most Income Hunters Fall Into The 12% mREIT solves the capital problem and creates a different one. AGNC’s $0.12 monthly rate has held flat since April 2020, and the prior rate was higher. Flat or declining distributions on eroding principal is spending down the asset dressed up as income.
Compare that to EWBC lifting its payout from $0.275 quarterly in 2020 to $0.80 in 2026. A 3% starting yield growing at that pace pushes past a static 12% yield on total income within roughly nine to ten years, and the underlying shares typically appreciate rather than bleed. With Core PCE at 130.08 and still climbing, an income stream that does not grow loses ground in real terms every year.
Three Moves Worth Making This Week Pull your last two years of actual spending as the baseline, rather than relying on your gross salary. Many households targeting a $144,000 replacement need closer to $110,000 once payroll taxes, 401(k) contributions, and mortgage principal drop out. Sort your existing dividend holdings by tax character. Qualified, REIT, MLP, and preferred each land differently on your 1040. Given the 10-year Treasury near 4.6% and the 3.75% fed funds upper bound, tax-inefficient positions in a taxable account carry a real opportunity cost against Treasuries. Model a blended portfolio: roughly 60% conservative dividend growth, 30% moderate hybrid, 10% aggressive. That mix typically clears a 5% blended yield, needs about $2.9 million, and keeps enough growth to defend purchasing power over a 20-year retirement. Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
The average public school teacher with 20-plus years of experience often earns in the $75,000 to $95,000 range, and $85,000 is a common target for a 55-year-old educator planning the switch from paycheck to portfolio. Replacing that gross number through investment income depends on one variable: yield. The capital required swings by more than a million dollars depending on where on the risk spectrum the portfolio sits.
With the 10-year Treasury near 5% and the Fed funds upper bound near 4%, dividend equities have to work harder to justify their risk. Here is how the math actually plays out across three yield tiers.
The Conservative Tier: 3% to 4% Yield At 3.5%, replacing $85,000 requires $2,428,571. At 4%, it drops to $2,125,000. This is dividend growth territory: broad dividend ETFs, utility ETFs, dividend aristocrat funds, and blue-chip regulated utilities.
Alliant Energy (NASDAQ:LNT | LNT Price Prediction) is the archetype. The regulated utility raised its quarterly payout from $0.5075 to $0.535 this year, pushing the annualized forward dividend to $2.14. Shares trade near $74, so the current yield sits near 2.8%, with a 23 PE and steady rate-base growth from data center demand in Iowa and Wisconsin.
Casey’s General Stores (NASDAQ:CASY) shows the compounding side. The convenience store chain just raised its quarterly dividend from $0.57 to $0.65, and shares are up 64% over the past year. The yield is under 1%, but the payout has risen from $0.24 quarterly in 2016 to $0.65 today. That trajectory is the entire point of the low-yield tier.
The Moderate Tier: 5% to 7% Yield At 6%, the required nest egg is $1,416,667. At 7%, it drops to $1,214,286. This tier draws from covered call ETFs (DIVO, SPYI, JEPQ, GPIQ), preferred share funds, REIT ETFs, and higher-payout regional banks.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC) sits on the growth edge of this tier. The bank hiked its quarterly dividend from $0.60 to $0.80 this year, delivered $9.87 in trailing EPS at a 13 PE, and posted quarterly earnings growth of 17% year over year. Layering covered calls on positions like EWBC or CASY can push blended yield toward the 6% to 8% range, though the strategy caps upside when shares run.
The Aggressive Tier: 8% to 14% Yield At 10%, $850,000 covers the salary. At 12%, $708,333 does. Mortgage REITs, business development companies, high-yield bond funds, and leveraged covered call funds populate this range.
AGNC Investment (NASDAQ:AGNC) illustrates both the appeal and the trap. The monthly distribution is $0.12 per share, or $1.44 annualized, on a stock trading near $11. That is a headline yield above 13%. But AGNC has cut the payout three times since 2016, including a 25% reduction in 2020, and the historical progression from $1.40 quarterly in 2010 to $0.12 monthly today tells the story of principal erosion.
The Compounding Insight A portfolio yielding 3.5% that grows its dividend 8% annually roughly doubles income in nine years. Casey’s did exactly this: the quarterly payout roughly tripled from 2016 to 2026. A 12% mREIT yield with no growth stays flat at best and shrinks at worst. For a 55-year-old with a decade until Medicare, the tier choice is really a choice between growing income and static income.
Silicon Motion (NASDAQ:SIMO) demonstrates the opposite pole. The NAND controller maker pays $2.00 annually against a $278 share price: a sub-1% yield. Its 299% one-year gain is a growth story, not an income vehicle.
Three Moves for the Teacher Subtract the teacher pension and projected Social Security from $85,000. Many state pensions replace 40% to 60% of final salary, which can cut the gap the portfolio needs to fill by half or more. Model the tax bite tier by tier. Qualified dividends from LNT or EWBC are taxed at long-term capital gains rates, while covered call ETF distributions and mREIT payouts often flow through as ordinary income. Compare 10-year total return between a dividend growth fund and a high-yield covered call fund. With CPI at 332.6 in June 2026, only growing income keeps real purchasing power intact. Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Key Takeaways EWBC beat Q2 earnings estimates as net interest income and fee income increased y/y.EWBC reported higher loans and deposits to record levels, while lower provisions supported results.EWBC posted stronger capital and profitability ratios, though expenses increased y/y. East West Bancorp, Inc.’s (EWBC - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $2.63 beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.61. Moreover, the bottom line increased 17.4% from the prior-year quarter’s level.
The results were primarily aided by an increase in net interest income (NII) and non-interest income alongside lower provisions. Also, loan and deposit balances increased sequentially in the quarter to record levels. However, higher non-interest expenses acted as a spoilsport.
Net income was $363.7 million, up from $310.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
EWBC’s Revenues & Expenses IncreaseQuarterly net revenues were $791.1 million, up 12.5% year over year. Moreover, the top line beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $785.9 million.
NII amounted to $684.7 million, which increased 11% year over year. Further, the net interest margin (NIM) expanded eight basis points (bps) to 3.43%. We expected NII and NIM to be $697 million and 3.49%, respectively.
Total non-interest income was $106.5 million, up 23.6% year over year. The rise was driven by an increase in almost all fee income components, except for customer derivative income. In the reported quarter, the company recorded other investment losses against a gain in the year-ago quarter. We estimated non-interest income to be $87.4 million.
Non-interest expenses totaled $290.6 million, up 13.5% from the prior-year quarter’s level. The rise was due to an increase in all cost components except deposit account expense. Our estimate for the same was $284.3 million.
The efficiency ratio was 36.73%, up from 36.41% in the prior-year quarter. A rise in the efficiency ratio indicates a deterioration in profitability.
As of June 30, 2026, net loans held for investment (HFI) were a record $58.1 billion, reflecting a 1.5% rise sequentially. Further, total deposits rose 1.7% from the previous quarter to a record $70.1 billion.
East West Bancorp’s Credit Quality: A Mixed BagAnnualized quarterly net charge-offs were 0.19% of average loans HFI, up eight bps from the prior-year quarter’s level. Non-performing assets totaled $247 million, up 43.9% from the prior-year quarter.
However, provision for credit losses was $33 million, down from $45 million in the prior-year quarter. Our estimate for the same was $36 million.
EWBC’s Capital & Profitability Ratios ImproveAs of June 30, 2026, the common equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio was 15.44%, up from 14.51% as of June 30, 2025. The total risk-based capital ratio was 16.75%, up from 15.82% a year ago.
Return on average assets was 1.75%, up from 1.62% in the prior-year quarter. Return on average tangible equity was 16.88%, up from 16.39%.
East West Bancorp’s Share Repurchase UpdateIn the reported quarter, East West Bancorp did not repurchase any shares.
Our View on EWBCEast West Bancorp is well-poised for organic growth with robust loan improvement, solid deposit balances and diversified fee income streams. However, a rise in expenses and a weak asset quality amid the tough operating backdrop are likely to hurt the bottom line.
Currently, EWBC carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other BanksCommerce Bancshares Inc.’s (CBSH - Free Report) second-quarter 2026 earnings of $1.10 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.04. The bottom line reflected a rise of 1% from the prior-year quarter.
CBSH’s results primarily benefited from higher NII and a rise in non-interest income. The sequential rise in loan balances acted as a tailwind. However, higher expenses and provisions hurt CBSH’s results to some extent.
F.N.B. Corporation (FNB - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 earnings of 42 cents per share, which matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line jumped 16.7% year over year.
FNB’s results primarily benefited from higher NII, a rise in non-interest income and lower provisions. Higher average loans and deposits were other positives. However, higher non-interest expenses hurt the results to some extent.
California Public Employees Retirement System increased its position in shares of East West Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:EWBC – Free Report) by 8.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 279,413 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 20,588 shares during the quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System owned about 0.20% of East West Bancorp worth $29,830,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in EWBC. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new stake in East West Bancorp in the 4th quarter valued at $1,530,000. Mach 1 Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in East West Bancorp in the fourth quarter valued at $1,044,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its stake in East West Bancorp by 84,090.3% in the fourth quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 5,311,566 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $596,967,000 after purchasing an additional 5,305,257 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,825,161 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $319,523,000 after buying an additional 27,402 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its holdings in shares of East West Bancorp by 141.2% in the fourth quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 128,368 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $14,427,000 after buying an additional 75,147 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 89.53% of the company’s stock.
East West Bancorp Stock Down 0.4% Shares of NASDAQ:EWBC opened at $133.40 on Wednesday. East West Bancorp, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $92.67 and a fifty-two week high of $136.24. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $127.49 and its 200-day simple moving average is $119.21. The company has a market cap of $18.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.33, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.94.
East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The financial services provider reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.61 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $791.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $784.47 million. East West Bancorp had a net margin of 29.59% and a return on equity of 16.00%. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.24 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that East West Bancorp, Inc. will post 10.56 earnings per share for the current year.
Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Vice Chairman Douglas Paul Krause sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.50, for a total transaction of $1,235,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider owned 46,974 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,801,289. This represents a 17.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider Irene H. Oh sold 11,211 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.00, for a total value of $1,446,219.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 85,998 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,093,742. This trade represents a 11.53% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 54,311 shares of company stock worth $6,784,711. Company insiders own 0.94% of the company’s stock.
Key Headlines Impacting East West Bancorp Here are the key news stories impacting East West Bancorp this week:
Positive Sentiment: East West Bancorp reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.63, ahead of the $2.61 consensus estimate, and earnings rose from $2.24 a year ago. East West Bancorp earnings report and conference call link Positive Sentiment: The company said net income reached $364 million and total revenue hit a record, signaling strong operating performance. East West Bancorp Q2 2026 results press release Positive Sentiment: Loans and deposits both reached new records at $59.0 billion and $70.1 billion, respectively, showing continued business expansion and funding strength. East West Bancorp Q2 2026 results press release Positive Sentiment: Profitability remained solid, with return on average common equity of 16.0% and book value per share up 13% year over year. East West Bancorp Q2 2026 results press release Neutral Sentiment: Several recap articles and the earnings call transcript focused on the same core message: East West Bancorp beat expectations and delivered record revenue, reinforcing the upbeat reaction. East West Bancorp Q2 2026 earnings call transcript Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms recently issued reports on EWBC. Truist Financial raised their price target on East West Bancorp from $128.00 to $136.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, July 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald upped their price objective on East West Bancorp from $137.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. TD Cowen increased their price objective on East West Bancorp from $137.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 23rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded East West Bancorp from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Saturday, July 4th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on East West Bancorp from $145.00 to $154.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, June 25th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, East West Bancorp currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $138.31.
Read Our Latest Research Report on EWBC
East West Bancorp Company Profile (Free Report)
East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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East West Bancorp, Inc. (EWBC) Q2 2026 Earnings Call July 21, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Company Participants
Adrienne Atkinson - Director of Investor Relations
Dominic Ng - Chairman, President & CEO
Christopher Del Moral-Niles - Executive VP & CFO
Irene Oh - Executive VP & Chief Risk Officer
Conference Call Participants
Jared David Shaw - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
David Rochester - Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Research Division
David Smith - Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division
Manan Gosalia - Morgan Stanley, Research Division
David Chiaverini - Jefferies LLC, Research Division
Timur Braziler - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Ebrahim Poonawala - BofA Securities, Research Division
Christopher McGratty - Keefe, Bruyette, & Woods, Inc., Research Division
Matthew Clark - Piper Sandler & Co., Research Division
Sun Young Lee - TD Cowen, Research Division
Bernard Von Gizycki - Deutsche Bank AG, Research Division
Presentation
Operator
Good day, and welcome to East West Bancorp's Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions] Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Adrienne Atkinson, Director of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Adrienne Atkinson
Director of Investor Relations
Thank you, operator. Good afternoon, and thank you, everyone, for joining us to review East West Bancorp's Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results. With me are Dominic Ng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Chris Del Moral-Niles, Chief Financial Officer; and Irene Oh, Chief Risk Officer. This call is being recorded and will be available for replay on our Investor Relations website. The slide deck referenced during this call is available on our Investor Relations site.
Management may make projections or other forward-looking statements, which may differ materially from the actual results due to a number of risks and uncertainties. Management may discuss non-GAAP financial measures. For a more detailed description of the risk factors and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures, please refer
East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $2.63 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.61 per share. This compares to earnings of $2.28 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +0.77%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this bank holding company would post earnings of $2.46 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.57, delivering a surprise of +4.47%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.
East West Bancorp, which belongs to the Zacks Banks - West industry, posted revenues of $791.14 million for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.66%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $703.25 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
East West Bancorp shares have added about 19.2% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.7%.
What's Next for East West Bancorp?While East West Bancorp has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for East West Bancorp was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $2.66 on $802.4 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $10.56 on $3.18 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - West is currently in the top 20% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Central Pacific Financial (CPF - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 24.
This operator of Central Pacific Bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.78 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +16.4%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
Central Pacific Financial's revenues are expected to be $75.8 million, up 4.1% from the year-ago quarter.
For the quarter ended June 2026, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) reported revenue of $791.14 million, up 12.5% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.63, compared to $2.28 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $785.94 million, representing a surprise of +0.66%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +0.77%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $2.61.
While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.
As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.
Here is how East West Bancorp performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Net interest margin: 3.4% compared to the 3.5% average estimate based on four analysts.Efficiency ratio: 36.7% versus the four-analyst average estimate of 35.4%.Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets: $80.09 billion compared to the $79.83 billion average estimate based on three analysts.Annualized quarterly net charge-offs to average loans HFI: 0.2% compared to the 0.2% average estimate based on three analysts.Total nonperforming assets: $246.96 million compared to the $221.84 million average estimate based on two analysts.Leverage ratio: 11% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 11%.Tier 1 capital ratio: 15.4% versus the two-analyst average estimate of 15.2%.Total capital ratio: 16.8% compared to the 16.5% average estimate based on two analysts.Total nonaccrual loans: $204.96 million compared to the $186.16 million average estimate based on two analysts.Total Noninterest Income: $106.49 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $98.34 million.Net Interest Income: $684.65 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $687.82 million.Commercial and consumer deposit-related fees: $31.62 million compared to the $30.01 million average estimate based on three analysts.View all Key Company Metrics for East West Bancorp here>>>
Shares of East West Bancorp have returned +3.7% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
MarketBeat Week in Review – 04/06 - 04/10 East West Bancorp NASDAQ: EWBC reported record second-quarter 2026 revenue, net interest income and non-interest income, supported by new highs in loans and deposits, executives said on the company’s earnings call.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dominic Ng said end-of-period deposits grew 8% year over year, with strength across all deposit product categories. He said demand deposits accounted for more than two-thirds of the quarter’s total increase, while non-interest-bearing deposits rose 19% from a year earlier.
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East West Bancorp: Confronting the Risks With Record Results “A continued focus on providing solutions to our customers helped drive” the growth in non-interest-bearing deposits, Ng said.
End-of-period loans increased 7% year over year, with growth in residential mortgage and commercial-and-industrial lending helping further diversify the loan portfolio, Ng said. He added that credit quality remained strong, with non-performing assets, criticized loans and net charge-off levels “broadly stable.”
Deposits Shift Toward Core Demand Accounts Chief Financial Officer Chris Del Moral-Niles said end-of-period deposits rose by $1.2 billion across more than 700,000 customer accounts during the quarter. Demand deposits increased $875 million, representing most of the growth. Average demand deposit accounts were up 15% year over year.
Del Moral-Niles attributed the increase to small business checking campaigns and positive flows from tariff refunds across hundreds of accounts. He said East West’s demand deposit mix rose to 26% of total deposits as the company emphasized core relationship growth and moved away from certificates of deposit, wholesale deposits and public funds deposits.
That shift helped support the net interest margin and control deposit costs, he said. Period-end deposit costs declined by six basis points in the quarter. Over the past year, interest-bearing deposit costs fell 49 basis points against a backdrop of 75 basis points of cuts in the federal funds target rate.
During the question-and-answer session, Del Moral-Niles estimated that roughly $200 million to $250 million of period-end balances reflected net excess tariff-related inflows. He said most of that amount had already moved out after quarter-end, though additional tariff deposits were still expected under refund programs into August.
Asked about upcoming CD maturities, Del Moral-Niles said $13 billion of CDs would roll off in the third quarter. He said the bank was proactively pricing at 3.60% for six-month CDs and 3.75% for 12-month CDs, while continuing to evaluate pricing as the quarter progresses.
Loan Growth Led by Residential Mortgage and C&I East West reported more than $300 million of net growth in residential mortgage loans during the quarter. Del Moral-Niles said the company maintained a conservative underwriting approach, with an average portfolio loan-to-value ratio of 52% in its residential mortgage book.
C&I loan balances also increased by more than $300 million in the second quarter. Del Moral-Niles cited growth in lending to financial services, equipment finance and lessors, and manufacturers and wholesalers. Non-depository financial institution balances rose by only $24 million, reflecting expected paydowns in private equity loans and consumer credit portfolios.
Overall, C&I loans were up 11% year over year, representing more than $2 billion of net growth over that period. Given 7% loan growth in the first half of 2026 and the pipeline heading into the third quarter, East West raised its full-year end-of-period loan growth guidance to a range of 6% to 8%.
In response to an analyst question, Del Moral-Niles said the bank remains focused on moving toward a portfolio mix of roughly one-third C&I, one-third residential mortgage and one-third commercial real estate over time. He said C&I represented 34% of total loans, while commercial real estate stood at 37%, above the company’s long-term vision but still a portfolio with which management is “very comfortable.”
Net Interest Income Guidance Raised Quarterly net interest income rose to a record $685 million. East West’s net interest margin was 3.43%, down in line with the effect of one fewer day in the quarter but up eight basis points from a year earlier.
Del Moral-Niles said the company now expects full-year net interest income growth of 7% to 9%, up from its prior guidance of 6% to 8%. The updated outlook assumes a flat federal funds rate through the end of the year.
Asked about margin trends in a flat rate environment, Del Moral-Niles said management expects the margin to remain “relatively stable.” He acknowledged some pressure on loan yields from mix and prior-quarter one-time items but said the company expects to drive stronger net interest income through balance sheet growth.
On rate sensitivity, Del Moral-Niles said East West is “modestly asset sensitive.” He said a 25-basis-point rate hike or cut would likely affect net interest income by about $2 million per month, with roughly a 45-day lag.
Fee Income and Expenses Quarterly fee income increased 19% year over year to $96 million. Del Moral-Niles said total fee income declined by $3 million from the first quarter, largely reflecting record wealth management results in the prior period and a slight decline in some derivatives activity.
Loan- and deposit-related fees rose 14% year over year. Del Moral-Niles said East West remains on track to deliver double-digit year-over-year fee income growth in 2026. He also highlighted wealth management as a growth area, noting during the Q&A that wealth management fees were up 71% year over year for the first six months of the year, according to the company’s press release tables.
Total operating non-interest expenses were $268 million in the second quarter. Compensation and benefits costs were flat sequentially, and Del Moral-Niles said those costs are expected to moderate in the second half of the year. He cited deferred compensation expenses and changes related to vacation pay as factors affecting the quarter’s compensation line.
East West reported a second-quarter efficiency ratio of 36.7%, consistent with prior periods, and an operating non-interest expense to average asset ratio of 1.29%. The company narrowed its full-year expense growth guidance to 8% to 9% versus last year.
Credit and Capital Remain Strong Chief Risk Officer Irene Oh said asset quality metrics remained broadly stable. Non-performing assets rose slightly by three basis points quarter over quarter to 29 basis points as of June 30, 2026. Net charge-offs were 19 basis points, or $27 million, compared with nine basis points, or $12 million, in the first quarter.
East West reaffirmed its full-year net charge-off guidance of 15 to 25 basis points. The company recorded a provision for credit losses of $33 million, compared with $36 million in the first quarter. The allowance for credit losses increased $6 million to $842 million, or 1.43% of total loans, reflecting loan growth and portfolio mix shift.
Oh said all regulatory capital ratios remained well above requirements for well-capitalized institutions. East West’s common equity Tier 1 capital ratio was 15.4%, and its tangible common equity ratio was 10.4%. The company had $117 million of repurchase authorization remaining and distributed about $111 million to shareholders through quarterly dividends.
Ng closed the call by thanking employees and said the company remains focused on creating long-term value.
About East West Bancorp (NASDAQ:EWBC)East West Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company and the parent of East West Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Southern California. As a full-service commercial bank, it provides a broad range of financial products and services to business and individual customers, including commercial and residential real estate lending, working capital lines of credit, trade finance, and deposit and treasury management services. The company caters to both large and middle-market businesses, leveraging its expertise to serve clients engaged in cross-border trade and investment between the United States and Greater China.
Founded in Los Angeles in the early 1970s, East West Bank has grown steadily through organic expansion and strategic branch openings.
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East West Bancorp, Inc. is upgraded to a very soft Buy as fundamentals and profitability improve, outpacing the S&P 500 since last review. EWBC demonstrates robust balance sheet growth, expanding deposits, loans, and securities, with net interest margin rising to 3.49% in Q1 2026. Asset and credit quality remain strong, with return on assets at 1.79%, return on equity at 16.04%, and non-performing assets at only 0.26%.
All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.
East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is headquartered in Pasadena, and is in the Finance sector. The stock has seen a price change of 21.13% since the start of the year. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.35%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.53% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.32%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 32%, meaning it paid out 32% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
EWBC is expecting earnings to expand this fiscal year as well. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.56 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 11.28%.
From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.
For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. Income investors have to be mindful of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The upcoming report from East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is expected to reveal quarterly earnings of $2.61 per share, indicating an increase of 14.5% compared to the year-ago period. Analysts forecast revenues of $785.94 million, representing an increase of 11.8% year over year.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted downward by 1.1% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Prior to a company's earnings announcement, it is crucial to consider revisions to earnings estimates. This serves as a significant indicator for predicting potential investor actions regarding the stock. Empirical research has consistently demonstrated a robust correlation between trends in earnings estimate revision and the short-term price performance of a stock.
While investors typically rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates to gauge how the business may have fared during the quarter, examining analysts' projections for some of the company's key metrics often helps gain a deeper insight.
In light of this perspective, let's dive into the average estimates of certain East West Bancorp metrics that are commonly tracked and forecasted by Wall Street analysts.
The collective assessment of analysts points to an estimated 'Net interest margin' of 3.5%. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported 3.4% in the same quarter last year.
Analysts predict that the 'Efficiency ratio' will reach 35.4%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 36.4%.
It is projected by analysts that the 'Average Balance - Total interest-earning assets' will reach $79.83 billion. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $73.90 billion.
The combined assessment of analysts suggests that 'Total nonperforming assets' will likely reach $221.84 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $171.68 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
The consensus among analysts is that 'Leverage ratio' will reach 11.0%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 10.6% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts expect 'Tier 1 capital ratio' to come in at 15.2%. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of 14.5%.
Analysts' assessment points toward 'Total capital ratio' reaching 16.5%. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported 15.8% in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts forecast 'Total nonaccrual loans' to reach $186.16 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $139.45 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
The consensus estimate for 'Total Noninterest Income' stands at $98.34 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $86.18 million in the same quarter last year.
According to the collective judgment of analysts, 'Net Interest Income' should come in at $687.82 million. The estimate compares to the year-ago value of $617.07 million.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Commercial and consumer deposit-related fees' at $30.01 million. The estimate is in contrast to the year-ago figure of $26.87 million.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Lending fees' should arrive at $26.23 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $25.59 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
View all Key Company Metrics for East West Bancorp here>>>
Over the past month, East West Bancorp shares have recorded returns of +4.1% versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. Based on its Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), EWBC will likely exhibit a performance that aligns with the overall market in the upcoming period. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
The market expects East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 21. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis bank holding company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $2.61 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +14.5%.
Revenues are expected to be $785.94 million, up 11.8% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.09% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for East West Bancorp?For East West Bancorp, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -0.35%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that East West Bancorp will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that East West Bancorp would post earnings of $2.46 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.57, delivering a surprise of +4.47%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates four times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
East West Bancorp doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAnother stock from the Zacks Banks - West industry, Zions (ZION - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $1.57 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -0.6%. Revenues for the quarter are expected to be $879.16 million, up 3.3% from the year-ago quarter.
Over the last 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for Zions has been revised 0.8% up to the current level. Nevertheless, the company now has an Earnings ESP of +0.53%, reflecting a higher Most Accurate Estimate.
This Earnings ESP, combined with its Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggests that Zions will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate. The company beat consensus EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But when you're an income investor, your primary focus is generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Based in Pasadena, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 14.86%. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.48%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.53% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.41%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 32%, meaning it paid out 32% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Looking at this fiscal year, EWBC expects solid earnings growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.59 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 11.59%.
Investors like dividends for many reasons; they greatly improve stock investing profits, decrease overall portfolio risk, and carry tax advantages, among others. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
Big, established firms that have more secure profits are often seen as the best dividend options, but it's fairly uncommon to see high-growth businesses or tech start-ups offer their stockholders a dividend. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) appears an attractive pick, as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.
The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Individual investors often find it hard to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts, since these are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. In these situations, the Zacks rating system comes in handy because of the power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements.
As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for East West Bancorp is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price.
Most Powerful Force Impacting Stock PricesThe change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock.
For East West Bancorp, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher.
Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate RevisionsEmpirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Earnings Estimate Revisions for East West BancorpThis bank holding company is expected to earn $10.61 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2026, which represents no year-over-year change.
Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for East West Bancorp. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 2.9%.
Bottom LineUnlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of "buy" and "sell" ratings for its entire universe of more than 4,000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a "Strong Buy" rating and the next 15% get a "Buy" rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term.
You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>>
The upgrade of East West Bancorp to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term.
Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In "long context," investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.
Even though momentum is a popular stock characteristic, it can be tough to define. Debate surrounding which are the best and worst metrics to focus on is lengthy, but the Zacks Momentum Style Score, part of the Zacks Style Scores, helps address this issue for us.
Below, we take a look at East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) , a company that currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B. We also talk about price change and earnings estimate revisions, two of the main aspects of the Momentum Style Score.
It's also important to note that Style Scores work as a complement to the Zacks Rank, our stock rating system that has an impressive track record of outperformance. East West Bancorp currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy). Our research shows that stocks rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and #2 (Buy) and Style Scores of "A or B" outperform the market over the following one-month period.
You can see the current list of Zacks #1 Rank Stocks here >>>
Set to Beat the Market? In order to see if EWBC is a promising momentum pick, let's examine some Momentum Style elements to see if this bank holding company holds up.
A good momentum benchmark for a stock is to look at its short-term price activity, as this can reflect both current interest and if buyers or sellers currently have the upper hand. It is also useful to compare a security to its industry, as this can help investors pinpoint the top companies in a particular area.
For EWBC, shares are up 5.31% over the past week while the Zacks Banks - West industry is up 4.06% over the same time period. Shares are looking quite well from a longer time frame too, as the monthly price change of 3.1% compares favorably with the industry's 2.62% performance as well.
Considering longer term price metrics, like performance over the last three months or year, can be advantageous as well. Shares of East West Bancorp have increased 19.49% over the past quarter, and have gained 35.47% in the last year. In comparison, the S&P 500 has only moved 13.47% and 26.67%, respectively.
Investors should also take note of EWBC's average 20-day trading volume. Volume is a useful item in many ways, and the 20-day average establishes a good price-to-volume baseline; a rising stock with above average volume is generally a bullish sign, whereas a declining stock on above average volume is typically bearish. Right now EWBC is averaging 929,892 shares for the last 20 days..
Earnings OutlookThe Zacks Momentum Style Score encompasses many things, including estimate revisions and a stock's price movement. Investors should note that earnings estimates are also significant to the Zacks Rank, and a nice path here can be promising. We have recently been noticing this with EWBC.
Over the past two months, 9 earnings estimates moved higher compared to none lower for the full year. These revisions helped boost EWBC's consensus estimate, increasing from $10.25 to $10.61 in the past 60 days. Looking at the next fiscal year, 8 estimates have moved upwards while there have been no downward revisions in the same time period.
Bottom LineTaking into account all of these elements, it should come as no surprise that EWBC is a #2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B. If you've been searching for a fresh pick that's set to rise in the near-term, make sure to keep East West Bancorp on your short list.
Getting big returns from financial portfolios, whether through stocks, bonds, ETFs, other securities, or a combination of all, is an investor's dream. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is the distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders; it's often viewed by its dividend yield, a metric that measures a dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends account for significant portions of long-term returns, with dividend contributions exceeding one-third of total returns in many cases.
Headquartered in Pasadena, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is a Finance stock that has seen a price change of 18.01% so far this year. The bank holding company is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.80 per share, with a dividend yield of 2.41%. This compares to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.66% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.41%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 32%, meaning it paid out 32% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for EWBC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.61 per share, representing a year-over-year earnings growth rate of 11.80%.
From greatly improving stock investing profits and reducing overall portfolio risk to providing tax advantages, investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons. However, not all companies offer a quarterly payout.
For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. During periods of rising interest rates, income investors must be mindful that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle. That said, they can take comfort from the fact that EWBC is not only an attractive dividend play, but also represents a compelling investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
East West Bancorp NASDAQ: EWBC finds itself in an unusual position. It’s a high-performing regional bank trading at a discount.
East West Bancorp Today
EWBC
East West Bancorp
$130.18 +2.09 (+1.63%)
As of 06/11/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
52-Week Range$90.79▼
$130.54Dividend Yield2.46%
P/E Ratio13.00
Price Target$133.69
The bank has record earnings, strong growth, high returns on equity, and a recently raised dividend.
What helps support those strengths, however, also comes with risks.
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Heavy exposure to California commercial real estate, sensitivity to interest rates, and geopolitical ties to U.S.-China relations are causes for uncertainty.
Yet the numbers are compelling. And if the economy and nations cooperate, East West Bancorp could be just the type of niche investment that adds growth and income to an attractive banking portfolio.
EWBC Delivers Record ResultsThere’s little doubt the risks have yet to slow the bank down. Based in Pasadena, California, EWBC wrapped up 2025 with record results. Net income climbed to $1.3 billion last year with diluted earnings per share of $9.52. Both results were all-time highs and represented roughly 14% growth from 2024. Total revenue reached $2.93 billion, a 12% year-over-year increase. Its net interest margin came in at 3.41%, also up from the prior year.
The bank's return on average common equity hit 16%, and tangible book value per share grew 17%. Even through the fourth quarter, the bank kept up its pace, earning $356 million, and beating analysts’ estimates by 4 cents at a reported $2.52 per share.
The balance sheet tells a similar story. Total assets reached $80.4 billion at year-end, with $56.9 billion in loans and $67.1 billion in deposits, each up about 6% from the prior year. And net charge-offs for the year were considerably lower.
With those results, the board approved a 33% increase in the quarterly dividend, raising it to 80 cents per share, or $3.20 annually. At recent prices, that works out to a yield close to 3%.
East West Bancorp Stock Forecast Today12-Month Stock Price Forecast:
$133.69
2.70% Upside
Moderate Buy
Based on 15 Analyst Ratings
Current Price$130.18High Forecast$145.00Average Forecast$133.69Low Forecast$123.00East West Bancorp Stock Forecast Details
Valuation Suggests Upside With Strong ResultsDespite those results, EWBC trades at just above 12 times trailing earnings, an attractive discount to other regional banks that deliver considerably lower earnings.
With double-digit EPS growth and returns on equity above 15%, the share price may represent a timely opportunity.
Wall Street broadly agrees. The 16 analysts covering the stock assign it a consensus Moderate Buy rating, with 11 Buys and five Holds. The average 12-month price target sits around $127.36, implying roughly 10% upside from current levels, with the highest target at $142.
Asia-Focused Model Creates Unique RisksBut there may be some headwind to much stock appreciation. Some concerns about the bank may stem from its unique position. Founded in 1973 to serve the Chinese American community, EWBC has built a franchise that few regional banks can match. Heavily focused on customers with economic and cultural ties to Asia, the bank has built a powerful brand serving cross-border business within Asian-American communities.
East West also holds a commercial banking license in China through its subsidiary, East West Bank (China) Ltd., making it unique among U.S.-based regional banks. That license allows the bank to operate branches, make loans, and accept deposits in China, in addition to maintaining locations in Hong Kong and Singapore. As of year-end, the bank's Hong Kong and China subsidiary branches accounted for about roughly 6%, or $4.7 billion, in assets and roughly 4% of 2025 revenue.
Although representing a relatively small direct slice of its business, its Asian operations help facilitate transactions on both sides of the Pacific. If U.S.-China relations break down, the impact on EWBC could be significant.
Commercial Real Estate Remains a Key ConcernThe company also faces concerns about the mix of its lending. While its U.S. markets span California, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Washington, the bank’s particular focus is Southern California, where it is heavily concentrated in commercial real estate lending.
With $21.3 billion in commercial real estate loans, California accounts for more than two-thirds of the portfolio. In all, half of the portfolio is in Southern California, where a significant downturn could pressure both loan quality and new lending.
Investment Depends on Balancing Growth and RiskStill, if management continues to compound earnings, credit stays clean, and the bank’s performance ratios stay strong, EWBC's discount to peers could attract some attention—assuming, that is, commercial real estate and U.S.-China relations cooperate.
For investors willing to live with that bit of uncertainty in exchange for above-average growth and a rising dividend, East West Bancorp makes a strong case for a place in a diversified portfolio in the financial sector.
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All investors love getting big returns from their portfolio, whether it's through stocks, bonds, ETFs, or other types of securities. But for income investors, generating consistent cash flow from each of your liquid investments is your primary focus.
Cash flow can come from bond interest, interest from other types of investments, and, of course, dividends. A dividend is that coveted distribution of a company's earnings paid out to shareholders, and investors often view it by its dividend yield, a metric that measures the dividend as a percent of the current stock price. Many academic studies show that dividends make up large portions of long-term returns, and in many cases, dividend contributions surpass one-third of total returns.
Based in Pasadena, East West Bancorp (EWBC - Free Report) is in the Finance sector, and so far this year, shares have seen a price change of 3.86%. Currently paying a dividend of $0.80 per share, the company has a dividend yield of 2.74%. In comparison, the Banks - West industry's yield is 2.95%, while the S&P 500's yield is 1.4%.
Looking at dividend growth, the company's current annualized dividend of $3.20 is up 33.3% from last year. Over the last 5 years, East West Bancorp has increased its dividend 5 times on a year-over-year basis for an average annual increase of 18.17%. Looking ahead, future dividend growth will be dependent on earnings growth and payout ratio, which is the proportion of a company's annual earnings per share that it pays out as a dividend. East West Bancorp's current payout ratio is 25%, meaning it paid out 25% of its trailing 12-month EPS as dividend.
Earnings growth looks solid for EWBC for this fiscal year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 is $10.25 per share, which represents a year-over-year growth rate of 8.01%.
Investors like dividends for a variety of different reasons, from tax advantages and decreasing overall portfolio risk to considerably improving stock investing profits. But, not every company offers a quarterly payout.
For instance, it's a rare occurrence when a tech start-up or big growth business offers its shareholders a dividend. It's more common to see larger companies with more established profits give out dividends. Income investors must be conscious of the fact that high-yielding stocks tend to struggle during periods of rising interest rates. With that in mind, EWBC is a compelling investment opportunity. Not only is it a strong dividend play, but the stock currently sits at a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
