Zacks Research Has Optimistic Outlook of WaFd Q2 Earnings

WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q2 2026 earnings per share estimates for WaFd in a note issued to investors on Thursday, February 5th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the bank will post earnings per share of $0.73 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast 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 brokerages have also weighed in on WAFD. Wall Street Zen raised WaFd from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on WaFd from $33.50 to $30.50 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on WaFd from $31.00 to $34.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $34.00 target price on WaFd in a report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of WaFd in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $32.90.

WaFd Trading Up 0.4%

Shares of WaFd stock opened at $33.71 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $2.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.66 and a beta of 0.86. WaFd has a 52-week low of $23.75 and a 52-week high of $34.29. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $32.71 and its 200-day simple moving average is $31.20. The company has a quick ratio of 0.95, a current ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89.

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On WaFd

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WAFD. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in WaFd by 42.8% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,174 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 352 shares during the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 485 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position 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 valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,221 shares during the period. Danske Bank A S acquired a new position in WaFd in the third quarter valued at $51,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. lifted its position in WaFd by 36.0% during the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,837 shares of the bank’s stock worth $56,000 after buying an additional 486 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.71% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at WaFd

In related news, EVP Cathy E. Cooper sold 5,300 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.77, for a total value of $178,981.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 94,755 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,199,876.35. This represents a 5.30% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Brent J. Beardall acquired 3,000 shares of WaFd stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The stock was bought at an average price of $16.85 per share, for a total transaction of $50,550.00. Following the completion of the transaction, 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. 1.49% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

WaFd Announces Dividend

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

WaFd News Roundup

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

About WaFd

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.