WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) Shares Gap Down to $28.11

Shares of WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD - Get Free Report) gapped down prior to trading on Tuesday . The stock had previously closed at $28.11, but opened at $27.28. WaFd shares last traded at $28.69, with a volume of 29,125 shares changing hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently commented on WAFD shares. StockNews.com downgraded WaFd from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, March 21st. DA Davidson reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $35.00 price target on shares of WaFd in a report on Thursday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on shares of WaFd from $37.00 to $35.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 18th. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $32.00 target price on shares of WaFd in a research note on Tuesday.

WaFd Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $27.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $28.31. The company has a market cap of $1.85 billion, a PE ratio of 8.20 and a beta of 0.85. The company has a quick ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80.

WaFd Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 8th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a $0.26 dividend. This is a positive change from WaFd's previous quarterly dividend of $0.25. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.64%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. WaFd's payout ratio is 30.50%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WaFd

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in WaFd by 3.7% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 33,600 shares of the bank's stock valued at $975,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200 shares during the last quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System boosted its position in shares of WaFd by 4.9% during the first quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 24,688 shares of the bank's stock worth $660,000 after buying an additional 1,160 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its stake in shares of WaFd by 3.9% in the first quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 41,382 shares of the bank's stock valued at $1,201,000 after buying an additional 1,555 shares in the last quarter. Talbot Financial LLC raised its holdings in shares of WaFd by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. Talbot Financial LLC now owns 74,298 shares of the bank's stock valued at $2,157,000 after buying an additional 3,034 shares during the period. Finally, Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in WaFd by 15.7% during the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 14,194 shares of the bank's stock worth $412,000 after acquiring an additional 1,928 shares in the last quarter. 83.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.