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On Thursday, DA Davidson analyst Jeff Rulis adjusted the firm’s stance on Washington Federal (NASDAQ:WAFD), downgrading the stock from Buy to Neutral and setting a price target of $32.00. The decision followed what Rulis described as a "sizable strategic pivot" and a first-quarter earnings miss for fiscal year 2025, alongside a profitability outlook that lags behind peers. The stock, currently trading at $30.53, has fallen significantly over the past three months, with InvestingPro data showing it’s trading below its Fair Value, suggesting potential upside despite recent challenges.
Rulis expressed concern over Washington Federal’s recent exit from the single-family residential (SFR) mortgage business. While considering the move to be justified, he anticipated potential "distractions and headwinds" that could affect the bank’s performance in the short term. He noted that during periods of significant strategic change and in the wake of an earnings miss, investor confidence might wane. Despite these challenges, the bank maintains strong fundamentals with a P/E ratio of 13.7 and has demonstrated commitment to shareholder returns, maintaining dividend payments for 42 consecutive years.
The analyst’s commentary highlighted issues with Washington Federal’s communication of operational results, suggesting that the lack of clarity could contribute to diminishing investor sentiment. The bank’s recent earnings report did not meet analysts’ expectations, which has led to a more cautious outlook from DA Davidson. InvestingPro analysis reveals that three analysts have revised their earnings downwards for the upcoming period, though the company is still expected to remain profitable this year. Get access to more detailed insights and 6 additional ProTips with an InvestingPro subscription.
The new price target of $32.00 reflects the analyst’s revised expectations for the stock, which previously held a Buy rating. Rulis’s comments indicate a shift to a more neutral position on Washington Federal shares, as the bank navigates through its strategic transition and aims to regain its footing in the market. The analyst consensus shows targets ranging from $31 to $34, with the stock currently trading at 0.91 times book value.
Washington Federal’s stock rating change and the new price target set by DA Davidson are based on the firm’s analysis of the bank’s current financial health and its strategic direction. The bank’s future performance will likely be watched closely by investors and analysts alike, as it endeavors to adapt to changes within the banking sector and strives to improve its profitability.
In other recent news, Washington Federal has seen a series of adjustments to its price target and ratings by various financial firms. Piper Sandler reduced the bank’s price target from $37.00 to $31.00, while maintaining a Neutral stock rating. This adjustment was made following Washington Federal’s strategic exit from single-family residential lending and a weaker-than-anticipated net interest margin. The firm also revised downward the earnings per share estimates for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to $2.48 and $2.95 respectively.
Similarly, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusted the price target for Washington Federal to $34.00, citing a core Net Interest Margin miss as a key factor. Meanwhile, Stephens maintained their Equal Weight rating on the bank with a steady price target of $38.00, following the company’s fourth-quarter operational earnings per share report.
These recent developments reflect the bank’s transition towards commercial lending and the resulting recalibration of expectations. The strategic shift is part of Washington Federal’s efforts to reshape its balance sheet and improve profitability, a process that will likely be closely monitored by investors and analysts alike.
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