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On Wednesday, DA Davidson, a financial research firm, increased the price target for WSFS Financial shares, trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker (NASDAQ:WSFS), to $68 from the previous target of $67. The firm retained its Buy rating on the stock, aligning with InvestingPro analysis showing the stock as currently undervalued. With a market capitalization of $3.29 billion and a P/E ratio of 12.67x, the adjustment follows WSFS Financial’s efforts to manage its asset sensitivity effectively by reducing deposit costs and employing hedging strategies to maintain its notable Net Interest Margin (NIM).
Analysts at DA Davidson highlighted that WSFS’s strategic moves enable the company to drive earnings per share (EPS) growth with minimal headwind from NIM. The expected robust loan and fee growth, coupled with share repurchases, are seen as key drivers of this EPS growth. According to InvestingPro data, WSFS has maintained dividend payments for 28 consecutive years, demonstrating consistent shareholder returns. The firm’s 2025 outlook anticipates an above-peer return on assets (ROA) of 1.25%, which aligns with the company’s current ROA of 1.27%, indicating a stable and elevated NIM and a credit outlook that surpasses expectations, thus raising the EPS forecast.
The report also noted that while pre-provision net revenue (PPNR) fell short due to weaker operating expenses and fees, which offset better net interest income (NII), lower credit costs contributed to an EPS beat. Following the earnings report, WSFS Financial’s shares experienced a 2% increase compared to the KRX on the day of the announcement.
DA Davidson’s analysis suggests that WSFS Financial is poised for strong returns in 2026, with projections of approximately 2% PPNR return on assets and around 15% return on tangible common equity (ROTCE). These anticipated returns, combined with the company’s current trading at roughly 1.5 times tangible book value excluding accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), reinforce the firm’s reiterated Buy recommendation for WSFS Financial stock. For deeper insights into WSFS Financial’s valuation and performance metrics, including exclusive ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis, visit InvestingPro, where you’ll find detailed research reports and advanced analytical tools.
In other recent news, WSFS Financial Corporation has reported key financial metrics for the third quarter of 2024, including a core earnings per share (EPS) of $1.08 and a core return on assets (ROA) of 1.22%. The company also saw annual growth of 5% in loans and 3% in deposits, with a loan-to-deposit ratio of 80%, and an increase in core fee revenue to $90.1 million. However, non-performing assets rose to 44 basis points, primarily due to two identified problem loans.
In line with its growth strategy, WSFS has announced the appointment of Owen Mathews as the new Senior Vice President, Corporate Development Officer, focusing on strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions. The company also appointed Lynn Hobson as its new Chief Marketing Officer, while the former Chief Marketing Officer, Justin Dunn, has transitioned to the role of Chief Community Impact Officer.
Further, WSFS announced a series of promotions within its Commercial Banking and Risk leadership teams, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. These changes include the appointment of James Wechsler as the new Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Banking Officer. These are recent developments at WSFS Financial Corporation.
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