Zacks Research Has Negative Outlook for WaFd FY2027 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks cut its FY2027 EPS forecast for WaFd to $3.22 from $3.36, below the current consensus estimate of $3.30; it also lowered FY2028 and several quarterly forecasts.
• Analyst sentiment is cautious: Zacks rates the stock “Hold,” matching the broader consensus, while the average price target is $32.50. Other analysts have also lowered price targets or ratings.
• WaFd’s latest quarter modestly beat estimates, reporting EPS of $0.85 versus $0.84 expected and revenue of $220.44 million versus $203.66 million expected.

WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD - Free Report) - Zacks Research reduced their FY2027 earnings estimates for shares of WaFd in a research note issued on Thursday, November 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the bank will earn $3.22 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $3.36. Zacks Research currently has a "Hold" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for WaFd's current full-year earnings is $3.30 per share.

A number of other equities analysts also recently weighed in on WAFD. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of WaFd from $40.00 to $34.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 19th. DA Davidson set a $31.00 price target on shares of WaFd in a report on Monday, October 19th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of WaFd from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research note on Monday, October 19th. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on WaFd from $32.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 19th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $32.50.

WaFd Price Performance

WaFd stock opened at $29.43 on Monday. WaFd has a 1 year low of $28.10 and a 1 year high of $39.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a current ratio of 0.94. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $31.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $33.87. The company has a market cap of $2.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.17 and a beta of 0.90.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 15th. The bank reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.01. WaFd had a net margin of 18.04% and a return on equity of 9.37%. The business had revenue of $220.44 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $203.66 million.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WaFd

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System increased its position in WaFd by 51.1% during the 3rd quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 16,355 shares of the bank's stock worth $490,000 after purchasing an additional 5,534 shares in the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its holdings in WaFd by 3.2% in the third quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 40,382 shares of the bank's stock valued at $1,209,000 after buying an additional 1,254 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in WaFd by 44.1% in the third quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 278,026 shares of the bank's stock valued at $8,321,000 after buying an additional 85,120 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in WaFd by 10.0% in the third quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,585 shares of the bank's stock valued at $137,000 after buying an additional 418 shares during the period. Finally, Congress Asset Management Co. lifted its position in WaFd by 21.6% during the third quarter. Congress Asset Management Co. now owns 338,027 shares of the bank's stock valued at $10,117,000 after buying an additional 60,135 shares in the last quarter. 83.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WaFd Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 4th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 21st were paid a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 21st. WaFd's payout ratio is currently 33.64%.

Key Headlines Impacting WaFd

Here are the key news stories impacting WaFd this week:

• Negative Sentiment: Zacks reduced forecasts for multiple quarters in fiscal 2027 and 2028. Its FY2028 EPS estimate fell to $3.32 from $3.53, while several quarterly estimates were also lowered. WaFd earnings estimate revisions
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research recently downgraded WaFd from “Strong Buy” to “Hold,” reinforcing the more cautious outlook. Zacks Research ratings

About WaFd

WaFd, Inc NASDAQ: WAFD is the parent company of WaFd Bank, a regional financial institution that provides banking and lending services to individuals, families, businesses and real estate investors. The bank offers deposit accounts, checking and savings products, residential mortgages, home equity loans, commercial real estate financing, business loans and construction lending.

WaFd Bank also provides treasury management and cash-management services for businesses, along with personal and commercial banking solutions through its branch network and digital banking platforms.

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