Advertisement
HOMB vs UCB
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Home BancShares (HOMB) vs. United Community Banks (UCB) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Home BancShares delivered a record $475.4 million in annual net income for 2025, with a standout sub-40% efficiency ratio and a robust net interest margin (NIM) of 4.61% in Q4 2025 — metrics that place it among the most profitable regional banks in the United States.
- United Community Banks posted $328 million in net income for 2025, reflecting 30% year-over-year growth, driven by its acquisition of American National Bank and sustained organic loan growth across the Southeast.
- HOMB offers superior profitability metrics — including return on assets (ROA) exceeding 2.05% — while UCB demonstrates stronger top-line revenue momentum, with full-year 2025 revenue up 12% year-over-year.
- UCB has delivered higher total shareholder returns over the past year (+15.9% vs. +10.8% for HOMB), though HOMB's lower beta (a measure of volatility relative to the broader market) of 0.67 suggests less price fluctuation.
- Both banks maintain strong capital positions, with HOMB's Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital ratio of 16.3% meaningfully exceeding UCB's 13.4% — an indicator of defensive balance-sheet strength.
Introduction
Regional banking stocks have garnered renewed attention from investors seeking exposure to Southeastern U.S. economic growth, stable credit quality, and disciplined capital management. HOMB (Home BancShares, Inc.) and UCB (United Community Banks, Inc.) are two well-established players in this space, each with a distinct strategic footprint and operational profile. This stock comparison examines how these two institutions stack up across profitability, growth trajectory, asset quality, and market positioning. Whether you are a value-oriented investor focused on efficiency or a growth-minded trader evaluating momentum, understanding the relative performance of HOMB and UCB can provide useful context for navigating the regional banking landscape in the current market environment.
HOMB Overview and Recent Performance
HOMB, headquartered in Conway, Arkansas, is the parent company of Centennial Bank, serving customers across Arkansas, Florida, Texas, South Alabama, and New York City. The bank's loan portfolio is anchored in commercial real estate, with a disciplined underwriting culture that has consistently produced industry-leading returns. In recent months, HOMB has reinforced its reputation as one of the most efficient operators in the regional banking sector. For the full year 2025, the company reported record net income of approximately $475.4 million, representing an 18% increase over 2024, and achieved a return on assets (ROA) of 2.05% — a level few U.S. banks can match. Its Q4 2025 efficiency ratio dropped below 40% (to 39.53%), underscoring tight cost control.
The bank's net interest margin — a key measure of lending profitability — expanded to 4.61% in the fourth quarter, benefiting from lower deposit costs and strong loan yields. HOMB also announced a pending acquisition of Mountain Commerce Bank, marking its entry into Tennessee. Additionally, the company returned capital to shareholders through $81.3 million in share repurchases during 2025 and a dividend increase to $0.21 per share. Asset quality remains solid, with non-performing assets representing just 0.55% of total assets. CET1 capital — a core regulatory capital ratio — stood at 16.3%, reflecting a fortress-like balance sheet.
UCB Overview and Recent Performance
UCB, based in Greenville, South Carolina, operates as the holding company for United Community Bank, with a footprint spanning the fast-growing Southeastern U.S. markets. The bank provides a diversified mix of commercial lending, mortgage banking, wealth management, and payment processing services. UCB's recent performance has been characterized by accelerating momentum following the May 2025 completion of its acquisition of ANB Holdings, the parent of American National Bank — a deal that deepened its presence in South Florida.
For the full year 2025, UCB generated net income of $328 million on total revenue of $1.06 billion, both representing substantial gains from the prior year (30% and 12%, respectively). Diluted GAAP earnings per share (EPS) rose 28% to $2.62. The bank's NIM improved meaningfully across the year, reaching 3.62% in Q4 2025 — up 36 basis points year-over-year — reflecting effective deposit repricing and favorable earning-asset mix shifts. UCB's efficiency ratio improved to 54.4% on a GAAP basis, while its ROA reached 1.21% in Q4. The bank also demonstrated a commitment to shareholder returns: it repurchased 1.0 million shares during Q4 at an average price of $29.84 and raised its quarterly dividend to $0.25 per share. Asset quality held up well, with non-performing assets at 0.33% of total assets and CET1 capital at 13.4%.
Trending AI Robots
Investors seeking a data-driven edge in stock selection may find value in exploring Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page. Tickeron offers hundreds of AI-powered trading bots, each designed to trade thousands of different tickers using distinct strategies, timeframes, and risk parameters. These bots operate across various market environments, and only the most consistently effective performers earn a place in the curated Trending AI Robots section. The bots featured there have demonstrated notable performance statistics, with some achieving win rates exceeding 70% and annualized returns in the double-digit range. Each bot comes with transparent track records, allowing traders to evaluate historical performance, drawdown patterns, and trade frequency before committing. Whether your focus is short-term momentum or longer-term swing trading, exploring Tickeron's Trending AI Robots may help you identify algorithmically driven opportunities aligned with current market conditions.
Head-to-Head Comparison
While both HOMB and UCB are well-regarded Southeastern regional banks, their profiles diverge in several important ways. On profitability, HOMB is the clear leader: its ROA of 2.05% roughly doubles UCB's 1.17%, and its NIM of 4.61% outpaces UCB's 3.62% by nearly 100 basis points. HOMB's efficiency ratio below 40% also compares favorably to UCB's mid-50s range, signaling a leaner operating model.
On growth, however, UCB has shown faster acceleration. UCB's full-year 2025 revenue increase of 12% exceeded HOMB's top-line growth rate (roughly 9%), and its 28% EPS expansion surpassed HOMB's 20%. UCB's acquisition of American National Bank has expanded its asset base and market presence, while HOMB's pending Mountain Commerce Bank deal signals similar ambitions, albeit at a smaller scale.
In terms of risk and stability, HOMB's CET1 ratio of 16.3% provides a thicker capital cushion than UCB's 13.4%, and HOMB's beta of 0.67 suggests lower sensitivity to broad market swings than UCB's 0.83. However, UCB's lower price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 11.5 versus HOMB's 12.8 may appeal to value-conscious investors, and UCB's higher trailing one-year total return (+15.9% vs. +10.8%) reflects stronger recent market sentiment.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable trend consistency, profitability durability, and balance-sheet strength, Tickeron's AI-driven analytical framework would likely favor HOMB in the current environment. HOMB's combination of a sub-40% efficiency ratio, a NIM above 4.5%, an ROA exceeding 2.0%, and a CET1 ratio above 16% represents a rare convergence of profitability and safety that algorithmic models tend to reward. While UCB offers compelling growth momentum and a lower valuation multiple, the AI would likely weigh HOMB's more consistent earnings trajectory and superior capital buffers as stronger signals for sustained relative performance. This assessment is probabilistic in nature and reflects current observable data rather than a definitive prediction of future outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HOMB is a StrongBuy and UCB is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HOMB’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileUCB’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- HOMB’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- UCB’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HOMB’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while UCB’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HOMB’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- UCB’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HOMB (@Regional Banks) experienced а +2.45% price change this week, while UCB (@Regional Banks) price change was +2.97% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Regional Banks industry was +1.26%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.79%, and the average quarterly price growth was +12.11%.
Reported Earning Dates
HOMB is expected to report earnings on Oct 15, 2026.
UCB is expected to report earnings on Oct 20, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Regional Banks (+1.26% weekly)Regional banks have a smaller reach than major banks, and cater mostly to one region of a country, such as a state or within a group of states. They offer services often similar – albeit with some limitations/smaller scale – compared to major banks. Taking deposits, making loans, mortgages, leases, credit cards , fund management, insurance and investment banking. SunTrust Banks, State Street Corp., M&T Bank Corp. are some examples of U.S. regional banks.
| HOMB | UCB | HOMB / UCB | |
| Capitalization | 6.27B | 4.43B | 142% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 15.414 | 19.592 | 79% |
| P/E Ratio | 12.95 | 12.01 | 108% |
| Revenue | 1.11B | 1.07B | 104% |
| Total Cash | 296M | 177M | 167% |
| Total Debt | 780M | 120M | 650% |
HOMB | UCB | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 87 | 60 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 57 Fair valued | 55 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 26 | 70 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 28 | 29 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 50 | 67 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 75 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
UCB's Valuation (55) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as HOMB (57). This means that UCB’s stock grew similarly to HOMB’s over the last 12 months.
HOMB's Profit vs Risk Rating (26) in the Regional Banks industry is somewhat better than the same rating for UCB (70). This means that HOMB’s stock grew somewhat faster than UCB’s over the last 12 months.
HOMB's SMR Rating (28) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as UCB (29). This means that HOMB’s stock grew similarly to UCB’s over the last 12 months.
HOMB's Price Growth Rating (45) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as UCB (48). This means that HOMB’s stock grew similarly to UCB’s over the last 12 months.
HOMB's P/E Growth Rating (50) in the Regional Banks industry is in the same range as UCB (67). This means that HOMB’s stock grew similarly to UCB’s over the last 12 months.
| HOMB | UCB | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 73% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 69% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 62% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 56% | 2 days ago 60% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 51% | 8 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 52% |
Advertisement
| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| RNIN | 37.65 | 1.07 | +2.93% |
| Bushido Capital US SMID Cap Equity ETF | |||
| DECU | 30.15 | 0.20 | +0.67% |
| AllianzIM U.S. Equity Buffer15 UncDecETF | |||
| MFUL | 22.53 | N/A | N/A |
| Mindful Conservative ETF | |||
| FNDE | 41.34 | -0.14 | -0.34% |
| Schwab Fundamental Emerging MarketsEqETF | |||
| PALL | 23.84 | -1.01 | -4.06% |
| abrdn Physical Palladium Shares ETF | |||
HOMB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HOMB has been closely correlated with UBSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 87% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if HOMB jumps, then UBSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To HOMB | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOMB | 100% | +0.74% | ||
| UBSI - HOMB | 87% Closely correlated | +0.33% | ||
| FULT - HOMB | 86% Closely correlated | +0.49% | ||
| INDB - HOMB | 86% Closely correlated | +0.20% | ||
| UCB - HOMB | 85% Closely correlated | +0.99% | ||
| FNB - HOMB | 85% Closely correlated | +0.31% | ||
More | ||||
UCB and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, UCB has been closely correlated with UBSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 91% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if UCB jumps, then UBSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To UCB | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCB | 100% | +0.99% | ||
| UBSI - UCB | 91% Closely correlated | +0.33% | ||
| AUB - UCB | 89% Closely correlated | +0.52% | ||
| CATY - UCB | 89% Closely correlated | +0.23% | ||
| FULT - UCB | 88% Closely correlated | +0.49% | ||
| SFNC - UCB | 88% Closely correlated | +0.42% | ||
More | ||||