What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for WaFd FY2027 Earnings?

WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD) – Analysts at Zacks Research decreased their FY2027 EPS estimates for shares of WaFd in a report issued on Tuesday, November 12th. Zacks Research analyst S. Shah now anticipates that the bank will post earnings of $3.36 per share for the year, down from their previous forecast of $3.56. The consensus estimate for WaFd’s current full-year earnings is $2.82 per share.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on WAFD. StockNews.com raised WaFd from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday. DA Davidson boosted their target price on shares of WaFd from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on WaFd from $36.00 to $35.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $40.00 price target on shares of WaFd in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Finally, Stephens lifted their price objective on WaFd from $32.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $38.00.

WaFd Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ WAFD opened at $36.97 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $3.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.91 and a beta of 0.83. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $35.19 and its 200-day simple moving average is $32.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. WaFd has a 52-week low of $25.78 and a 52-week high of $38.58.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 17th. The bank reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.01. WaFd had a net margin of 13.97% and a return on equity of 9.44%. The business had revenue of $389.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $190.43 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.72 earnings per share.

Institutional Trading of WaFd

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WAFD. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. acquired a new stake in WaFd during the 3rd quarter worth $18,583,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its position in shares of WaFd by 31.6% in the 2nd quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,274,665 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $36,430,000 after purchasing an additional 305,942 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in WaFd by 113.4% during the 2nd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 272,721 shares of the bank’s stock worth $7,794,000 after buying an additional 144,920 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in WaFd by 1.6% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,902,461 shares of the bank’s stock worth $229,408,000 after buying an additional 125,020 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. lifted its stake in WaFd by 28.6% in the third quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 428,504 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $14,933,000 after buying an additional 95,251 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.71% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Ryan Mauer sold 12,132 shares of WaFd stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.33, for a total value of $404,359.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 100,376 shares in the company, valued at $3,345,532.08. The trade was a 10.78 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.25% of the company’s stock.

WaFd Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 22nd. WaFd’s dividend payout ratio is currently 41.94%.

About WaFd

WaFd, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Washington Federal Bank that provides lending, depository, insurance, and other banking services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, including business and personal checking accounts, and term certificates of deposit, as well as money market accounts and passbook savings accounts.