Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Has $1.81 Million Stock Holdings in WaFd, Inc. $WAFD

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans lowered its stake in WaFd, Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD) by 32.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 59,815 shares of the bank’s stock after selling 28,985 shares during the period. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in WaFd were worth $1,812,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in shares of WaFd by 42.8% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,174 shares of the bank’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System grew its position in WaFd by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 75,005 shares of the bank’s stock worth $2,196,000 after acquiring an additional 420 shares during the last quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. increased its holdings in WaFd by 3.5% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 13,846 shares of the bank’s stock worth $405,000 after purchasing an additional 470 shares in the last quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its holdings in WaFd by 57.6% in the 2nd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,327 shares of the bank’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 485 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its position 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 purchasing an additional 486 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 83.71% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at WaFd

In related news, CEO Brent J. Beardall acquired 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average price of $16.85 per share, for a total transaction of $50,550.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 6,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $101,100. This trade represents a 100.00% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Cathy E. Cooper sold 5,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $33.77, for a total transaction of $178,981.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 94,755 shares in the company, valued at $3,199,876.35. This trade represents a 5.30% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 1.49% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

WaFd Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NASDAQ:WAFD opened at $32.98 on Thursday. WaFd, Inc. has a 1 year low of $23.75 and a 1 year high of $34.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 0.95 and a quick ratio of 0.95. The business’s 50-day moving average is $32.78 and its 200-day moving average is $31.26. The company has a market capitalization of $2.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.41 and a beta of 0.86.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 16th. The bank reported $0.75 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.76 by ($0.01). WaFd had a return on equity of 8.67% and a net margin of 17.45%.The business had revenue of $188.32 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $193.36 million. Equities research analysts predict that WaFd, Inc. will post 2.56 earnings per share for the current year.

WaFd Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Investors of record on Friday, February 13th will be given a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 13th. WaFd’s payout ratio is presently 37.37%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

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.