Gold prices cool after rallying on Powell rate cut talk
Washington Federal Inc. (NASDAQ:WAFD) stock has experienced a notable downturn, reaching a 52-week low of $25.55. The stock’s current valuation metrics suggest it may be undervalued according to InvestingPro Fair Value analysis. This latest price level reflects a challenging period for the financial institution, which has seen its shares retreat by 6.9% over the past year, though the company maintains a solid 4.1% dividend yield and has sustained dividend payments for 43 consecutive years. Investors are closely monitoring the company’s performance as it navigates through the current economic landscape, which has been marked by fluctuating interest rates and regulatory changes affecting the banking sector. Despite challenges, WAFD has demonstrated resilience with 5.3% revenue growth and maintains a P/E ratio of 13.5x. The 52-week low serves as a critical indicator for market watchers and shareholders, who are assessing the bank’s strategic responses to these industry-wide pressures. InvestingPro subscribers can access additional insights, including 6 more exclusive ProTips about WAFD’s financial outlook.
In other recent news, WaFd Inc. is set to release its quarterly earnings results for the period ending March 31, 2025, after market close on April 17, 2025. Investors are keenly awaiting this report for insights into the company’s financial performance. Additionally, WaFd Inc. announced an increase in its regular quarterly cash dividend to 27 cents per share, continuing its long-standing tradition of providing dividends to shareholders. In a separate announcement, the company declared a cash dividend for its Series A Preferred Stock, with payments scheduled for April 15, 2025.
Shareholders recently approved WaFd Inc.’s 2025 Stock Incentive Plan, which aims to align employee and shareholder interests through equity participation. Meanwhile, DA Davidson downgraded Washington Federal’s stock from Buy to Neutral, citing a strategic pivot and a first-quarter earnings miss. Analyst Jeff Rulis expressed concerns over the bank’s recent exit from the single-family residential mortgage business and its potential impact on performance. The firm’s analysis led to a new price target of $32.00 for the stock, reflecting a more cautious outlook. These developments highlight the ongoing strategic and financial adjustments at WaFd Inc.
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