SG Americas Securities LLC Boosts Stake in WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD)

SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD - Free Report) by 270.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 37,379 shares of the bank's stock after buying an additional 27,288 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC's holdings in WaFd were worth $1,068,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CIBC Asset Management Inc increased its stake in WaFd by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 7,424 shares of the bank's stock worth $239,000 after purchasing an additional 338 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its stake in WaFd by 29.6% in the 4th quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 1,752 shares of the bank's stock worth $56,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its stake in WaFd by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 98,124 shares of the bank's stock worth $3,162,000 after purchasing an additional 433 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in WaFd by 6.9% in the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 6,987 shares of the bank's stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the period. Finally, Principal Securities Inc. increased its stake in WaFd by 10.3% in the 4th quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 7,633 shares of the bank's stock worth $246,000 after purchasing an additional 712 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 83.71% of the company's stock.

WaFd Stock Up 1.0%

WaFd stock traded up $0.27 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $28.19. The company had a trading volume of 1,259,343 shares, compared to its average volume of 539,114. The company has a current ratio of 1.02, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $28.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.63. WaFd, Inc. has a 12 month low of $23.75 and a 12 month high of $38.62. The company has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a PE ratio of 10.64 and a beta of 0.85.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 11th. The bank reported $0.65 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.05. WaFd had a return on equity of 8.74% and a net margin of 15.13%. The business had revenue of $179.79 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $184.17 million. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that WaFd, Inc. will post 2.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

WaFd Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 23rd were paid a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.83%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 23rd. WaFd's dividend payout ratio is currently 40.75%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on WAFD shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on WaFd from $32.00 to $30.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 16th. Wall Street Zen upgraded WaFd from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, April 12th. Finally, Stephens restated an "equal weight" rating and set a $29.00 price target on shares of WaFd in a research report on Monday, April 14th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $30.50.

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.