Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Cuts Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) Price Target to $65.00

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) had its price target reduced by Keefe, Bruyette & Woods from $80.00 to $65.00 in a research report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods currently has an outperform rating on the financial services provider’s stock.

WD has been the subject of several other reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Walker & Dunlop from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a report on Friday, December 19th. They set a “buy” rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Walker & Dunlop in a research report on Friday, December 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $81.25.

Walker & Dunlop Stock Down 3.3%

Shares of NYSE WD opened at $45.88 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.97 and a beta of 1.57. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $61.94 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $71.60. Walker & Dunlop has a twelve month low of $42.12 and a twelve month high of $90.00.

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE:WD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The financial services provider reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.46 by ($1.18). Walker & Dunlop had a net margin of 4.56% and a return on equity of 6.81%. The business had revenue of $340.02 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $343.66 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.32 EPS. The business’s revenue was down .4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Walker & Dunlop will post 4.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Walker & Dunlop Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 27th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.68 dividend. This is a positive change from Walker & Dunlop’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.67. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $2.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.9%. Walker & Dunlop’s dividend payout ratio is currently 163.41%.

Institutional Trading of Walker & Dunlop

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Flagship Harbor Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Walker & Dunlop during the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in shares of Walker & Dunlop by 115.8% in the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its holdings in Walker & Dunlop by 65.7% during the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 479 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the period. Huntington National Bank grew its position in Walker & Dunlop by 49.6% during the 3rd quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 585 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $49,000 after acquiring an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio purchased a new position in Walker & Dunlop in the 1st quarter worth approximately $51,000. 80.97% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Walker & Dunlop News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Walker & Dunlop this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.68 (1.5% increase), implying a ~5.7% yield — supports income investors and can underpin the share base.
• Positive Sentiment: Management provided 2026 EPS guidance of $3.50–$4.00 and said it will accelerate asset sales to shore up earnings and pursue market‑share growth; this signals a path to restore profitability (may be seen as constructive if execution follows). Walker & Dunlop outlines $3.50–$4.00 EPS guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut its price target from $80 to $65 but kept an “outperform” rating — still signals upside vs. current levels, though the lower target reduces near‑term analyst support. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Conference call and transcript / slide deck are available for investors to assess management’s explanation of the quarter and details on asset sales and capital allocation. Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed heavily: reported $0.28 vs. consensus ~$1.46 (a ~$1.18 shortfall); revenue of $340.0M slightly missed estimates — the large EPS miss is the primary catalyst for the decline and raises near‑term execution concerns. MarketBeat earnings summary
• Negative Sentiment: Market commentary notes shares are falling on the results; the stock is trading well below its 50‑day and 200‑day moving averages and nearer its one‑year low, which can amplify downside while investors reassess valuation and the timing of asset sales. Why Walker & Dunlop Shares Are Falling Today

Walker & Dunlop Company Profile

Walker & Dunlop is one of the largest providers of commercial real estate finance in the United States, specializing in the origination, servicing and sale of loans secured by multifamily, seniors housing, healthcare, student housing and manufactured housing properties. The firm offers a full suite of debt and equity solutions, including agency financing through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, HUD and FHA-insured loans, bridge and construction financing, mezzanine debt, preferred equity, and investment sales advisory.

With roots dating back to 1937 and its headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Walker & Dunlop has expanded its platform through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.