Algert Global LLC Takes Position in WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD)

Algert Global LLC acquired a new stake in shares of WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 13,888 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $448,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd lifted its position in shares of WaFd by 983.5% during the 4th quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 1,116 shares of the bank's stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,013 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of WaFd by 29.6% in the fourth quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,752 shares of the bank's stock valued at $56,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of WaFd by 68.4% in the fourth quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,000 shares of the bank's stock valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 812 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of WaFd by 136.7% in the fourth quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,638 shares of the bank's stock valued at $117,000 after purchasing an additional 2,101 shares in the last quarter. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in shares of WaFd by 34.5% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,762 shares of the bank's stock valued at $121,000 after purchasing an additional 965 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.71% of the company's stock.

WaFd Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WAFD opened at $28.93 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. WaFd, Inc has a 1 year low of $23.75 and a 1 year high of $38.62. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $27.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $31.10. The firm has a market cap of $2.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.33 and a beta of 0.85.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 11th. The bank reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.05. WaFd had a return on equity of 8.78% and a net margin of 12.66%. The business had revenue of $179.79 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $184.17 million. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that WaFd, Inc will post 2.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WaFd Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.73%. This is a positive change from WaFd's previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. WaFd's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 40.75%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on WAFD. Stephens restated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $29.00 target price on shares of WaFd in a report on Monday, April 14th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on WaFd from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. StockNews.com upgraded WaFd from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, April 12th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on WaFd from $37.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, DA Davidson lowered WaFd from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and reduced their target price for the company from $35.00 to $32.00 in a report on Thursday, February 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $30.50.

WaFd Profile

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.

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