SDVY's Core Assets Suggest 15% Growth Opportunity
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 17 2025
0mins
Should l Buy WAFD?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
ETF Target Price Analysis: The First Trust SMID Cap Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (SDVY) has an implied analyst target price of $42.48, indicating a potential upside of 14.99% from its current trading price of $36.94.
Notable Holdings with Upside: Key underlying holdings such as Meritage Homes Corp (MTH), Hanover Insurance Group Inc (THG), and WaFd Inc (WAFD) show significant upside potential, with target prices exceeding their recent trading prices by 20.36%, 17.61%, and 15.88%, respectively.
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Analyst Views on WAFD
Wall Street analysts forecast WAFD stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 35.230
Low
30.00
Averages
31.50
High
33.50
Current: 35.230
Low
30.00
Averages
31.50
High
33.50
About WAFD
WaFd, Inc. is a bank holding company that conducts its primary business, through its subsidiary, WaFd Bank. WaFd Bank is a federally insured Washington state chartered commercial bank doing business as WaFd Bank (the Bank). The Bank is engaged in providing lending, depository, insurance, and other banking services to consumers, mid-sized to large businesses, and owners and developers of commercial real estate. The Bank's business consists primarily of accepting deposits from the public and investing these funds in loans of various types, including first-lien mortgages on single-family dwellings, construction loans, loans on multifamily, commercial real estate and other income-producing properties, home equity loans and business loans. The Bank invests in certain United States government and agency obligations and other investments. The Bank has approximately 208 branches located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
WaFd, Inc. Reports Significant Loan Growth in Q2 2026
- Loan Portfolio Growth: WaFd, Inc. achieved a 12% linked-quarter increase in its loan portfolio for Q2 2026, with gross active loans rising by 20%, indicating significant progress in loan production and enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Profitability Improvement: The company reported net income of $61.9 million or $0.82 per diluted share, driven by a modest increase in net interest income and controlled expenses, while repurchasing 2.7 million shares during the quarter, showcasing strong capital management capabilities.
- Credit Trend Improvement: Nonperforming assets decreased to $132 million or 0.48% of total assets, down from 0.75% at the end of last year, reflecting effective strategies in risk management and borrower engagement.
- Strategic Plan Advancement: WaFd's
See More
WaFd (WAFD) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
WaFd, Inc. Reports Strong Q2 Earnings with Increased Loan Growth
- Net Income Growth: WaFd Bank reported net income of $65.5 million for Q2 2026, marking a 17% increase from $56.3 million in Q2 2025, demonstrating the company's resilience and profitability amid economic uncertainties.
- Significant Loan Growth: Active loan segments grew at an annualized rate of 12%, reaching $20 billion, reflecting the company's competitive position and strong customer demand in the market.
- Improved Asset Quality: Non-performing assets decreased to 0.48% of total assets from 0.75% in the previous quarter, indicating effective risk management and improvements in credit quality.
- Share Buyback Program: The company repurchased 2.738 million shares during the quarter at a price below 1.1 times tangible book value, showcasing confidence in its stock and commitment to shareholder returns.
See More
WaFd Bank Becomes Official Partner of Network of Giving
- Strategic Partnership: WaFd Bank has partnered with the Network of Giving as its official banking partner across the U.S., aiming to enhance the integration of digital commerce with community impact and social responsibility.
- Integration of Technology and Finance: This collaboration combines the patented technology of the Network of Giving with WaFd Bank's financial infrastructure, enabling secure collection, settlement, and distribution of merchant contributions through everyday digital transactions, thereby strengthening support for nonprofits.
- Innovation in Micro-Contributions: Consumers can link any bank's credit and debit cards to automatically trigger merchant-funded micro-contributions when shopping locally, which incur no cost to consumers and ensure transparency and accountability, further promoting sustainable community development.
- National Expansion Potential: WaFd Bank's involvement lays the groundwork for the Network of Giving platform's nationwide rollout, with expectations to support more nonprofits across additional states and communities, enhancing local business and social impact.
See More
WaFd Bank Appoints Erin Hill to Board of Directors
- New Board Member: WaFd Bank has appointed Erin Hill to its Board of Directors, bringing over 30 years of executive experience in financial services, corporate governance, and risk management, which will provide new perspectives and momentum for the company.
- Rich Professional Background: Currently the Executive Director of the Financial Accounting Foundation, Hill previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at BNY Mellon, safeguarding over $40 trillion in assets globally, showcasing her deep expertise in the financial sector.
- Leadership Experience: At JP Morgan, Hill led over 50,000 bankers and financial advisors across more than 5,500 branches, demonstrating her exceptional capabilities in managing large teams and corporate governance, which is expected to support WaFd's strategic priorities.
- Education and Certification: Hill holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University, an MBA, and a BS in Accounting from Fordham University, and is a Certified Public Accountant, enhancing the company's governance and financial management capabilities with her board membership.
See More
WaFd Bank Appoints Erin Hill to Board of Directors
- New Board Member: WaFd Bank has appointed Erin Hill to its Board of Directors, bringing over 30 years of executive leadership experience in financial services, corporate governance, and risk management, which is expected to significantly support the bank's strategic priorities.
- Rich Industry Background: Hill previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at BNY Mellon, overseeing the safeguarding of over $40 trillion in assets globally, and held multiple executive roles at JP Morgan, showcasing her deep expertise in the financial sector.
- Educational and Professional Credentials: Hill holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a BS in Accounting from Fordham University, and is a Certified Public Accountant, demonstrating her strong professional qualifications.
- Community Engagement and Values: Hill stated that WaFd Bank's commitment to its customers and communities resonates with her personal values, and her addition to the board is anticipated to bring new perspectives and momentum to the bank's ongoing evolution and growth.
See More
WaFd, Inc. Reports Significant Loan Growth in Q2 2026
- Loan Portfolio Growth: WaFd, Inc. achieved a 12% linked-quarter increase in its loan portfolio for Q2 2026, with gross active loans rising by 20%, indicating significant progress in loan production and enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Profitability Improvement: The company reported net income of $61.9 million or $0.82 per diluted share, driven by a modest increase in net interest income and controlled expenses, while repurchasing 2.7 million shares during the quarter, showcasing strong capital management capabilities.
- Credit Trend Improvement: Nonperforming assets decreased to $132 million or 0.48% of total assets, down from 0.75% at the end of last year, reflecting effective strategies in risk management and borrower engagement.
- Strategic Plan Advancement: WaFd's
See More
WaFd (WAFD) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
WaFd, Inc. Reports Strong Q2 Earnings with Increased Loan Growth
- Net Income Growth: WaFd Bank reported net income of $65.5 million for Q2 2026, marking a 17% increase from $56.3 million in Q2 2025, demonstrating the company's resilience and profitability amid economic uncertainties.
- Significant Loan Growth: Active loan segments grew at an annualized rate of 12%, reaching $20 billion, reflecting the company's competitive position and strong customer demand in the market.
- Improved Asset Quality: Non-performing assets decreased to 0.48% of total assets from 0.75% in the previous quarter, indicating effective risk management and improvements in credit quality.
- Share Buyback Program: The company repurchased 2.738 million shares during the quarter at a price below 1.1 times tangible book value, showcasing confidence in its stock and commitment to shareholder returns.
See More
WaFd Bank Becomes Official Partner of Network of Giving
- Strategic Partnership: WaFd Bank has partnered with the Network of Giving as its official banking partner across the U.S., aiming to enhance the integration of digital commerce with community impact and social responsibility.
- Integration of Technology and Finance: This collaboration combines the patented technology of the Network of Giving with WaFd Bank's financial infrastructure, enabling secure collection, settlement, and distribution of merchant contributions through everyday digital transactions, thereby strengthening support for nonprofits.
- Innovation in Micro-Contributions: Consumers can link any bank's credit and debit cards to automatically trigger merchant-funded micro-contributions when shopping locally, which incur no cost to consumers and ensure transparency and accountability, further promoting sustainable community development.
- National Expansion Potential: WaFd Bank's involvement lays the groundwork for the Network of Giving platform's nationwide rollout, with expectations to support more nonprofits across additional states and communities, enhancing local business and social impact.
See More
WaFd Bank Appoints Erin Hill to Board of Directors
- New Board Member: WaFd Bank has appointed Erin Hill to its Board of Directors, bringing over 30 years of executive experience in financial services, corporate governance, and risk management, which will provide new perspectives and momentum for the company.
- Rich Professional Background: Currently the Executive Director of the Financial Accounting Foundation, Hill previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at BNY Mellon, safeguarding over $40 trillion in assets globally, showcasing her deep expertise in the financial sector.
- Leadership Experience: At JP Morgan, Hill led over 50,000 bankers and financial advisors across more than 5,500 branches, demonstrating her exceptional capabilities in managing large teams and corporate governance, which is expected to support WaFd's strategic priorities.
- Education and Certification: Hill holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University, an MBA, and a BS in Accounting from Fordham University, and is a Certified Public Accountant, enhancing the company's governance and financial management capabilities with her board membership.
See More
WaFd Bank Appoints Erin Hill to Board of Directors
- New Board Member: WaFd Bank has appointed Erin Hill to its Board of Directors, bringing over 30 years of executive leadership experience in financial services, corporate governance, and risk management, which is expected to significantly support the bank's strategic priorities.
- Rich Industry Background: Hill previously served as Chief Administrative Officer at BNY Mellon, overseeing the safeguarding of over $40 trillion in assets globally, and held multiple executive roles at JP Morgan, showcasing her deep expertise in the financial sector.
- Educational and Professional Credentials: Hill holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University School of Law, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and a BS in Accounting from Fordham University, and is a Certified Public Accountant, demonstrating her strong professional qualifications.
- Community Engagement and Values: Hill stated that WaFd Bank's commitment to its customers and communities resonates with her personal values, and her addition to the board is anticipated to bring new perspectives and momentum to the bank's ongoing evolution and growth.
See More
