UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Acquires 8,769 Shares of WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its position in WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD) by 5.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 157,962 shares of the bank’s stock after buying an additional 8,769 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.19% of WaFd worth $5,505,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in WAFD. Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of WaFd by 80.8% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,188 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 531 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in shares of WaFd by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 1,644 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 822 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of WaFd by 515.8% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,558 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $54,000 after buying an additional 1,305 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd grew its stake in shares of WaFd by 60.1% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,904 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $66,000 after buying an additional 715 shares during the period. Finally, nVerses Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of WaFd in the 2nd quarter valued at about $80,000. 83.71% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WaFd Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WAFD opened at $35.77 on Wednesday. WaFd, Inc has a twelve month low of $25.78 and a twelve month high of $38.62. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $35.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.33. The company has a market capitalization of $2.91 billion, a PE ratio of 14.42 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21.

WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The bank reported $0.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.01. WaFd had a return on equity of 9.44% and a net margin of 13.97%. The firm had revenue of $389.98 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $190.43 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.72 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that WaFd, Inc will post 2.82 EPS for the current year.

WaFd Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 6th. Investors of record on Friday, November 22nd were issued a $0.26 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 22nd. This represents a $1.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.91%. WaFd’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.94%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Ryan Mauer sold 12,132 shares of WaFd stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.33, for a total value of $404,359.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 100,376 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,345,532.08. The trade was a 10.78 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 2.25% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WAFD has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reiterated a “market perform” rating and set a $40.00 price target on shares of WaFd in a research note on Monday, October 21st. DA Davidson lifted their price target on WaFd from $39.00 to $41.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, October 21st. StockNews.com upgraded WaFd from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price target on WaFd from $36.00 to $35.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, WaFd presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $38.00.

About WaFd

WaFd, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Washington Federal Bank that provides lending, depository, insurance, and other banking services in the United States. The company offers deposit products, including business and personal checking accounts, and term certificates of deposit, as well as money market accounts and passbook savings accounts.