CATHAY GENERAL BANCORP INTRODUCES NEW SHARE BUYBACK PLAN ALLOWING FOR UP TO $150 MILLION IN COMMON STOCK

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: moomoo

Updated: Apr 23 2026

0mins

CATY-1.17%

Should l Buy CATY?

Source: moomoo

New Share Repurchase Program: Cathay General Bancorp has announced a new share repurchase program, allowing for the buyback of up to $150 million in common stock.
Strategic Financial Move: This initiative is part of the company's strategy to enhance shareholder value and manage its capital effectively.

Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy

Stop guessing "Should I Buy CATY?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.

Analyst Views on CATY

Wall Street analysts forecast CATY stock price to fall

2 Analyst Rating

0 Buy

1 Hold

1 Sell

Moderate Sell

Current: 56.270

Low

45.00

Averages

50.00

High

55.00

Current: 56.270

Low

45.00

Averages

50.00

High

55.00

Piper Sandler

Matthew Clark

Underweight

maintain

$45 -> $47

2026-04-27

Reason

Piper Sandler

Matthew Clark

Price Target

$45 -> $47

AI Analysis

2026-04-27

maintain

Underweight

Reason

Piper Sandler analyst Matthew Clark raised the firm's price target on Cathay General to $47 from $45 and keeps an Underweight rating on the shares. After the first wave of Q1 earnings across the firm's Western bank coverage, operating EPS exceeded expectations by 5% with the median EPS up 23% year-over-year. Piper notes stronger than expected PPNR has been a common theme driven by better net interest margin expansion and tighter expense controls, partially offset by softer loan growth in a seasonally difficult quarter.

Keefe Bruyette

maintain

$55 -> $58

2026-04-23

Reason

Keefe Bruyette

Price Target

$55 -> $58

2026-04-23

maintain

Reason

Keefe Bruyette raised the firm's price target on Cathay General to $58 from $55 and keeps a Market Perform rating on the shares.

Unlock Full Analyst Thesis， Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for CATY

Unlock Now

About CATY

Cathay General Bancorp is the holding company of Cathay Bank (the Bank). The Bank offers a range of financial services and operates over 60 branches across the United States in California, New York, Washington, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, and New Jersey. It also has a branch outlet in Hong Kong, and representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei. The Bank provides financial services to diverse commercial and professional businesses in its market areas. It offers products and services to businesses, such as checking and deposit, lines of credits, commercial and commercial real estate loans, merchant services and payment processing, treasury management services, international banking and financing services, and other customary banking services. Through its Cathay Wealth Management business unit, the Bank offers clients a range of investment products and services, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, insurance, annuities, and advisory services.

About the author

Emily J. Thompson

Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.

Cathay General Bancorp Declares $0.38 Quarterly Dividend

2 hours agoseekingalpha

Dividend Declaration: Cathay General Bancorp has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.38 per share, consistent with previous announcements, indicating the company's stable cash flow and profitability, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
Stable Yield: The forward yield of 2.73% reflects the company's competitiveness in the current market environment, potentially boosting investor confidence and supporting stock price stability.
Shareholder Assurance: The dividend will be payable on June 9, with a record date of May 28 and an ex-dividend date also on May 28, ensuring shareholders receive timely returns and further solidifying their trust in the company.
Growth Outlook: Cathay General projects a net interest margin of 3.40%-3.50% for 2026, indicating an optimistic view on future profitability and market performance, which may attract long-term investors' attention.

Cathay General Bancorp Declares Cash Dividend

2 days agoNewsfilter

Dividend Declaration: Cathay General Bancorp's Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.38 per common share, payable on June 9, 2026, to stockholders of record as of May 28, 2026, reflecting the company's commitment to shareholder returns.
Company Overview: Founded in 1962, Cathay General Bancorp serves as the holding company for Cathay Bank, which operates over 60 branches across states such as California, New York, and Texas, showcasing its extensive presence in the U.S. financial services market.
International Expansion: In addition to its domestic operations, Cathay General Bancorp has a branch in Hong Kong and representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai, and Taipei, indicating its strategic expansion and market penetration in the Asia-Pacific region.
Diverse Service Offerings: Cathay Bank provides a wide range of financial services, including personal and commercial banking, aimed at meeting the diverse needs of its customer base, thereby enhancing its market competitiveness and customer loyalty.

Cathay Bank to Host 49th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Apr 24 2026Newsfilter

Event Date and Location: Cathay Bank's 49th Annual Charity Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 6, 2026, at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry, California, serving as a long-standing tradition aimed at uniting golf enthusiasts to raise funds for local nonprofits.
Participation Format: The tournament will feature an 18-hole, four-player scramble format, welcoming golfers of all skill levels, allowing participants to register individually or as part of a team, thereby fostering community engagement and camaraderie.
Fundraising Goals and Beneficiaries: All proceeds from the event will support several esteemed community organizations, including the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center and the Cathay Bank Foundation, which is expected to create a positive impact on local communities.
Historical Significance: Founded in 1977, the Cathay Bank Annual Charity Golf Tournament has raised millions over four decades, consistently demonstrating Cathay Bank's commitment to social responsibility and its lasting positive influence on the community.

Cathay General Bancorp Authorizes $150 Million Share Buyback Program

Apr 23 2026seekingalpha

Buyback Program Initiated: Cathay General Bancorp's board has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $150 million, which will be executed through open market or private transactions, with timing and volume contingent on market conditions, thereby enhancing shareholder value.
Previous Buyback Completed: The company completed its prior $150 million buyback program in February 2026, indicating a sustained commitment to capital management aimed at boosting earnings per share and enhancing market confidence.
Optimistic Financial Outlook: Cathay General projects a net interest margin of 3.40%-3.50% for 2026, reflecting confidence in future profitability and the company's adaptability to changing interest rate environments.
Leadership Transition: The announcement of the CFO's retirement and leadership transition may impact the company's strategic direction and financial decision-making, prompting investors to monitor subsequent management adjustments and their effects on operations.

Cathay General Bancorp Launches New Share Repurchase Program

Apr 23 2026Newsfilter

Repurchase Program Initiation: Cathay General Bancorp's Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing up to $150 million, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and boosting market confidence.
Completion of Previous Buyback: The company completed its prior $150 million repurchase program on February 4, 2026, buying back 3,217,481 shares at an average cost of $46.62 per share, reflecting confidence in its stock.
Flexibility in Repurchases: The new program allows repurchases on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, with management determining the timing, price, and volume based on market conditions and relevant laws to ensure optimal execution.
Market Adaptability: The repurchase program can be suspended, terminated, or modified at any time, with management considering market conditions, repurchase costs, and alternative investment opportunities to maintain a balance between liquidity and investment returns.