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Washington Federal (WAFD) Down 2.7% Since Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Washington Federal, Inc. (WAFD - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.7% in that time frame, underperforming the market.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Washington Federal Beats on Q3 Earnings, Revenues Rise
Washington Federal reported third-quarter fiscal 2017 (ended Jun 30) earnings of $0.49 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.48. The number also reflects a year-over-year increase of 4.3%.
Better-than-expected results were primarily driven by an increase in net interest revenues and a jump in non-interest income. Also, the balance sheet remained strong during the quarter. However, higher operating expenses were a headwind.
Washington Federal’s net income came in at $44.1 million, up 2.6% from the prior-year quarter.
Higher Revenues Offset by Rise in Expenses
Net revenue was $122.5 million, up 6.8% year over year. Also, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $120.3 million.
Net interest income was $108.6 million, up 4.2% from the year-ago quarter. The primary reason for the increase was higher average earning assets. Also, net interest margin increased 6 basis point (bps) year over year to 3.13%.
Other income jumped 32.8% year over year to $13.9 million. The rise was driven by increase in other revenues.
Operating expenses rose 1.3% from the prior-year quarter to $57.1 million. The rise was due to higher compensation and benefit, occupancy costs and other expenses.
The company’s efficiency ratio came in at 46.57%, down from 49.08% a year ago. A fall in efficiency ratio indicates improvement in profitability.
At the end of the reported quarter, return on average common equity was 8.70%, down from 8.71% at the end of the prior-year quarter. Return on average assets was 1.17% compared with 1.16% in the year-ago quarter.
Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag
As of Jun 30, 2017, the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.50% compared with 0.53% as of Sep 30, 2016. Provision for loan losses was nil during the reported quarter, compared with $1.7 million in the prior-year quarter.
Further, the allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded commitments was 1.08% of gross loans outstanding, up 1 bp from Sep 30, 2016. The rise reflects continued shift in the mix of the loan portfolio to include a greater proportion of commercial loans outstanding that generally require higher reserves.
Strong Balance Sheet
As of Jun 30, 2017, net loans receivables were $10.7 billion, up 7.5% from Sep 30, 2016. Also, customer deposit accounts were $10.6 billion, up 0.3% from the Sep 30, 2016 level.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Following the release, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There has been one revision lower for the current quarter.
At this time, the stock has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum is doing a bit better with a C. Charting the exact same path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
The company's stock is suitable for value and momentum investors based on our styles scores.
Outlook
While estimates have been trending downward for the stock, the magnitude of this revision has been net zero. Notably, the stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We are looking for an above average return from the stock in the next few months.
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Washington Federal (WAFD) Down 2.7% Since Earnings Report: Can It Rebound?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Washington Federal, Inc. (WAFD - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 2.7% in that time frame, underperforming the market.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to the stock's next earnings release, or is it due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
Washington Federal Beats on Q3 Earnings, Revenues Rise
Washington Federal reported third-quarter fiscal 2017 (ended Jun 30) earnings of $0.49 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.48. The number also reflects a year-over-year increase of 4.3%.
Better-than-expected results were primarily driven by an increase in net interest revenues and a jump in non-interest income. Also, the balance sheet remained strong during the quarter. However, higher operating expenses were a headwind.
Washington Federal’s net income came in at $44.1 million, up 2.6% from the prior-year quarter.
Higher Revenues Offset by Rise in Expenses
Net revenue was $122.5 million, up 6.8% year over year. Also, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $120.3 million.
Net interest income was $108.6 million, up 4.2% from the year-ago quarter. The primary reason for the increase was higher average earning assets. Also, net interest margin increased 6 basis point (bps) year over year to 3.13%.
Other income jumped 32.8% year over year to $13.9 million. The rise was driven by increase in other revenues.
Operating expenses rose 1.3% from the prior-year quarter to $57.1 million. The rise was due to higher compensation and benefit, occupancy costs and other expenses.
The company’s efficiency ratio came in at 46.57%, down from 49.08% a year ago. A fall in efficiency ratio indicates improvement in profitability.
At the end of the reported quarter, return on average common equity was 8.70%, down from 8.71% at the end of the prior-year quarter. Return on average assets was 1.17% compared with 1.16% in the year-ago quarter.
Credit Quality: A Mixed Bag
As of Jun 30, 2017, the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets was 0.50% compared with 0.53% as of Sep 30, 2016. Provision for loan losses was nil during the reported quarter, compared with $1.7 million in the prior-year quarter.
Further, the allowance for loan losses and reserve for unfunded commitments was 1.08% of gross loans outstanding, up 1 bp from Sep 30, 2016. The rise reflects continued shift in the mix of the loan portfolio to include a greater proportion of commercial loans outstanding that generally require higher reserves.
Strong Balance Sheet
As of Jun 30, 2017, net loans receivables were $10.7 billion, up 7.5% from Sep 30, 2016. Also, customer deposit accounts were $10.6 billion, up 0.3% from the Sep 30, 2016 level.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
Following the release, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. There has been one revision lower for the current quarter.
Washington Federal, Inc. Price and Consensus
Washington Federal, Inc. Price and Consensus | Washington Federal, Inc. Quote
VGM Scores
At this time, the stock has a poor Growth Score of F, however its Momentum is doing a bit better with a C. Charting the exact same path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of F. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
The company's stock is suitable for value and momentum investors based on our styles scores.
Outlook
While estimates have been trending downward for the stock, the magnitude of this revision has been net zero. Notably, the stock has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). We are looking for an above average return from the stock in the next few months.