Raymond James Financial Inc. Invests $1.77 Million in WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD)

Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in WaFd, Inc (NASDAQ:WAFD - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 54,783 shares of the bank's stock, valued at approximately $1,766,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. owned approximately 0.07% of WaFd at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its holdings in shares of WaFd by 112.7% in the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 1,323 shares of the bank's stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 701 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its stake in WaFd by 68.4% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,000 shares of the bank's stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 812 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its position in WaFd by 136.7% during the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,638 shares of the bank's stock worth $117,000 after purchasing an additional 2,101 shares in the last quarter. KBC Group NV grew its position in WaFd by 34.5% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 3,762 shares of the bank's stock worth $121,000 after purchasing an additional 965 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in WaFd during the 3rd quarter valued at $237,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.71% of the company's stock.

WaFd Stock Down 5.0 %

Shares of WAFD traded down $1.34 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $25.24. 818,016 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 506,529. The company has a market cap of $2.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.63 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.04, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. WaFd, Inc has a 12-month low of $24.55 and a 12-month high of $38.62. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $29.06 and a 200-day simple moving average of $32.52.

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WaFd Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 7th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $0.27 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from WaFd's previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. This represents a $1.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.28%. WaFd's dividend payout ratio is currently 49.77%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WAFD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. StockNews.com downgraded WaFd from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday. DA Davidson cut WaFd from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $35.00 to $32.00 in a research note on Thursday, February 6th. Stephens reiterated an "equal weight" rating and issued a $38.00 target price on shares of WaFd in a report on Friday, January 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price target on shares of WaFd from $42.00 to $34.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of WaFd from $37.00 to $31.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, WaFd has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $33.75.

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.