Research Analysts Set Expectations for WaFd FY2027 Earnings

WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research boosted their FY2027 earnings per share estimates for shares of WaFd in a report released on Tuesday, October 6th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the bank will post earnings per share of $3.36 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $3.35. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong-Buy” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for WaFd’s current full-year earnings is $3.22 per share.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. DA Davidson decreased their price objective on shares of WaFd from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, September 9th. Weiss Ratings downgraded WaFd from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 3rd. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price target on shares of WaFd from $36.00 to $32.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, WaFd has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $35.25.

WaFd Price Performance

WAFD opened at $29.74 on Wednesday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $34.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $35.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.20 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.38 and a beta of 0.89. WaFd has a 52-week low of $26.31 and a 52-week high of $39.49.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 17th. The bank reported $0.81 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.82 by ($0.01). WaFd had a net margin of 18.47% and a return on equity of 8.98%. The business had revenue of $205.52 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $199.56 million.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WaFd

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of WaFd during the 2nd quarter valued at about $413,410,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in WaFd during the 2nd quarter valued at $34,655,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in WaFd during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,489,000. Empowered Funds LLC bought a new stake in WaFd in the second quarter worth $13,371,000. Finally, Legal & General Group Plc purchased a new position in WaFd during the second quarter worth $6,561,000. 83.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

WaFd Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 21st were paid a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 21st. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.6%. WaFd’s payout ratio is presently 34.07%.

Trending Headlines about WaFd

Here are the key news stories impacting WaFd this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks upgraded WaFd to “Strong Buy.” Zacks raised its FY2027 earnings-per-share forecast to $3.36 from $3.35 and maintained a Strong Buy rating, compared with the broader current-year consensus estimate of $3.22. The upgrade and higher earnings outlook are the clearest reasons the shares have increased. Zacks upgrades WaFd stock to Strong Buy with USD 3.36 estimate
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts continue to expect earnings growth. Zacks’ research coverage highlights the potential for improving profitability, which could support WaFd’s relatively low valuation of roughly 9 times earnings if the bank meets its forecasts. Zacks Research Upgrades WaFd to Strong-Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: WaFd is scheduled to report quarterly results Thursday. The upcoming earnings release is likely to be the next major catalyst, with investors watching net interest income, credit quality and management’s outlook. WaFd set to release quarterly earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: The WaFd Bank Foundation awarded a $2,000 grant to NAMI Far North’s housing initiative. The community contribution supports the bank’s reputation but is too small to materially affect earnings or valuation. WaFd Bank Foundation grant to NAMI Far North
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-earnings analysis warns against expecting a clear earnings beat. Zacks said WaFd lacks the combination of earnings-surprise factors it typically uses to identify likely beats, creating downside risk if results or guidance disappoint. WaFd earnings expected to grow analysis

About WaFd

WaFd, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and the parent company of WaFd Bank. Founded in 1917 as Washington Federal, the company adopted the WaFd name in 2024. WaFd Bank provides banking and financial services to individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

The bank offers deposit accounts, residential mortgage lending, home equity financing, commercial real estate loans, commercial and industrial lending, construction financing and consumer banking products.