Zacks Research Issues Positive Outlook for WaFd Earnings

WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for WaFd in a note issued to investors on Thursday, February 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the bank will post earnings of $0.73 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $0.72. The consensus estimate for WaFd’s current full-year earnings is $2.56 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for WaFd’s Q3 2026 earnings at $0.76 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.79 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $3.03 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.81 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $0.80 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $0.83 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $3.21 EPS.

A number of other research firms also recently commented on WAFD. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of WaFd in a report on Monday, December 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of WaFd from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $34.00 price target on shares of WaFd in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Piper Sandler decreased their price objective on shares of WaFd from $33.50 to $30.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of WaFd from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, WaFd currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $32.90.

WaFd Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of WAFD opened at $33.71 on Monday. WaFd has a twelve month low of $23.75 and a twelve month high of $34.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.66 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $32.71 and its 200 day simple moving average is $31.20.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 16th. The bank reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.76 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $188.32 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $193.36 million. WaFd had a net margin of 17.45% and a return on equity of 8.67%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On WaFd

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its stake in shares of WaFd by 42.8% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,174 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 352 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew its position in shares of WaFd by 57.6% during the second quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the bank’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 485 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in shares of WaFd by 604.5% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 1,423 shares of the bank’s stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 1,221 shares during the last quarter. Danske Bank A S acquired a new stake in WaFd in the third quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in WaFd by 36.0% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,837 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $56,000 after acquiring an additional 486 shares in the last quarter. 83.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other WaFd news, EVP Cathy E. Cooper sold 5,300 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.77, for a total value of $178,981.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 94,755 shares in the company, valued at $3,199,876.35. The trade was a 5.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Brent J. Beardall bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were acquired at an average price of $16.85 per share, with a total value of $50,550.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 6,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $101,100. This represents a 100.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders own 1.49% of the company’s stock.

WaFd Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.2%. WaFd’s payout ratio is 37.37%.

Trending Headlines about WaFd

Here are the key news stories impacting WaFd this week:

• Positive Sentiment: WaFd declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share (annualized $1.08), ex‑dividend Feb. 13 and payable Feb. 27 — supports income investors and dividend yield (~3.2%). MarketBeat Report
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS forecast to $3.03 and bumped several near‑term quarterly estimates (Q2 2026 to $0.73, Q3 2026 to $0.76, Q4 2026 to $0.79 and Q1 2027 to $0.81) — these upward tweaks support near‑term earnings outlook and may underpin buy interest. MarketBeat Report
• Positive Sentiment: Wall Street Zen moved WaFd to a “Hold” rating (an upgrade from a prior weaker stance), which reduces short‑term downside from that shop and can reassure some investors. Article
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional activity: several funds (Arrowstreet, Ameriprise, Millennium, William Blair, Citadel) adjusted positions recently — institutional ownership remains high (~83.7%), which can amplify moves but is informational. MarketBeat Report
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sale: EVP Cathy Cooper sold 5,300 shares at an average $33.77 on Feb. 6 (SEC filing). Insider selling can raise short‑term caution even though the executive retains a large stake. InsiderTrades Article
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks trimmed FY2027 EPS to $3.21 (from $3.27) and reduced some 2027 quarterly forecasts (notably Q3/Q4 2027), signaling modestly weaker longer‑term growth expectations that could cap multiple expansion. MarketBeat Report

WaFd Company Profile

Washington Federal, Inc, doing business as WaFd Bank, is a publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Through its subsidiary, WaFd Bank, the company provides a range of banking and financial services to individuals, small-to-medium enterprises, and commercial clients. Established in 1917 as Ballard Savings & Loan in Seattle, the institution expanded over decades to serve customers across the Western United States under the Washington Federal name and has operated as a public company since the early 1980s.

WaFd Bank’s core offerings encompass deposit accounts such as checking, savings, money market, and certificates of deposit, alongside consumer and commercial lending products.