BAC vs HWC: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 30, 2026, HWC (Hancock Whitney Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. HWC offers the higher yield at 2.78%, HWC has the higher dividend-safety score, and BAC looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price).
Key facts: BAC vs HWC
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 30, 2026, Hancock Whitney Corporation (HWC) has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.78%, versus 2.52% for Bank of America Corporation (BAC).
- As of Oct 30, 2026, SmarterDividends grades BAC's dividend safety A (87/100) and HWC's A (98/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 30, 2026, BAC has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and HWC for 3.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, BAC pays out 26% of its earnings as dividends and HWC pays out 37%.
- As of Oct 30, 2026, BAC's fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price and HWC's fair-value estimate is 16% above its share price, so BAC looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BAC vs HWC: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 30, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bac-vs-hwc
| Metric | BAC | HWC |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.52% | 2.78% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $2.00 |
| Payout ratio | 26% | 37% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 3 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.4% | 10.8% |
| 5-yr total return | 12% | 51% |
| Dividend safety score | 87 (A) | 98 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $63.43 | $84.34 |
| Upside to fair value | +24% | +16% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $354.0B | $5.8B |
| P/E ratio | 12.2 | 14.6 |
Higher yield
HWC
2.78%
Safer dividend
HWC
Grade A
Faster growth
HWC
10.8%
Better value
BAC
+24% upside
BAC vs HWC — FAQ
Is BAC or HWC a better dividend stock?
On the data, HWC wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). HWC offers the higher yield (2.78%), while HWC has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, BAC or HWC?
HWC has the higher forward dividend yield at 2.78%, versus 2.52% for BAC.
Is BAC or HWC safer?
HWC has the higher dividend-safety score (98/100 vs 87/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is BAC or HWC better value right now?
As of Oct 30, 2026, BAC looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 24% above its share price (undervalued). For HWC, its fair-value estimate is 16% above its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.