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 rise
3 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Hold
Current: 31.440
Low
30.00
Averages
31.50
High
33.50
Current: 31.440
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, Washington Federal Bank. Washington Federal Bank, a federally insured Washington state chartered commercial bank doing business as WaFd 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 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. Declares $0.27 Cash Dividend and Increases Share Repurchase Authorization
- Cash Dividend Announcement: WaFd, Inc. has declared a cash dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on February 27, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, marking the company's 172nd consecutive quarterly dividend, which underscores its stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Increased Repurchase Authorization: The Board has increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 4.5 million, bringing the total authorized amount to 10 million shares, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance earnings per share.
- Share Repurchase History: Over the past seven quarters, the company has repurchased 5.8 million shares at a weighted average price of $29.45, representing 7% of the shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024, demonstrating an active strategy in capital management.
- Asset and Deposit Overview: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd, Inc. operated 208 branches with total assets of $27.3 billion, total deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, indicating a solid market position and growth potential for the company.
See More
WaFd, Inc. Announces Cash Dividend and Share Buyback Plan
- Cash Dividend Announcement: WaFd, Inc. declared a cash dividend of 27 cents per share, payable on February 27, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, marking the company's 172nd consecutive quarterly cash dividend, which reflects its stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Share Buyback Plan Expansion: The Board increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 4.5 million, bringing the total authorized amount to 10 million shares, indicating the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance earnings per share and shareholder value.
- Buyback Progress: Over the last seven quarters, the company has repurchased 5.8 million shares at a weighted average price of $29.45, representing 7% of the shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024, showcasing the company's proactive approach to capital management.
- Asset and Branch Overview: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd, Inc. operated 208 branches with total assets of $27.3 billion, total deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, demonstrating its robust business foundation and market position across multiple states.
See More
WaFd, Inc. Announces Cash Dividend and Share Repurchase Plan
- Cash Dividend Announcement: WaFd, Inc. declared a cash dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on February 27, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, marking the company's 172nd consecutive quarterly dividend, which underscores its strong cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Share Repurchase Plan Expansion: The Board increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 4.5 million, raising the total to 10 million shares, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance earnings per share by reducing the number of shares outstanding.
- Share Repurchase Execution: Over the last seven quarters, the company has repurchased 5.8 million shares at an average price of $29.45, representing 7% of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024, demonstrating an active approach to capital management and shareholder value enhancement.
- Asset and Deposit Status: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd, Inc. operated 208 branches with total assets of $27.3 billion, total deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, indicating a robust market position and ongoing growth potential.
See More
WaFd Bank Upgrades CRA Rating to 'Satisfactory'
- Rating Upgrade: WaFd Bank successfully appealed on January 16, 2026, elevating its CRA rating from 'Needs to Improve' to 'Satisfactory', which is expected to enhance the bank's market image and customer trust.
- Regulatory Feedback: CEO Brent Beardall expressed gratitude for the FDIC's independent review process, which allowed the bank to effectively communicate its contributions to community development lending, thereby strengthening its relationship with regulators.
- Asset Scale: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd Bank reported assets of $27.3 billion, deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, indicating a robust position in the market.
- Historical Background: Established in 1917, WaFd Bank has a 109-year history and operates across multiple states including Washington and Oregon, committed to meeting community credit needs and fostering local economic development.
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. Declares $0.27 Cash Dividend and Increases Share Repurchase Authorization
- Cash Dividend Announcement: WaFd, Inc. has declared a cash dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on February 27, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, marking the company's 172nd consecutive quarterly dividend, which underscores its stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Increased Repurchase Authorization: The Board has increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 4.5 million, bringing the total authorized amount to 10 million shares, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance earnings per share.
- Share Repurchase History: Over the past seven quarters, the company has repurchased 5.8 million shares at a weighted average price of $29.45, representing 7% of the shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024, demonstrating an active strategy in capital management.
- Asset and Deposit Overview: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd, Inc. operated 208 branches with total assets of $27.3 billion, total deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, indicating a solid market position and growth potential for the company.
See More
WaFd, Inc. Announces Cash Dividend and Share Buyback Plan
- Cash Dividend Announcement: WaFd, Inc. declared a cash dividend of 27 cents per share, payable on February 27, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, marking the company's 172nd consecutive quarterly cash dividend, which reflects its stable cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Share Buyback Plan Expansion: The Board increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 4.5 million, bringing the total authorized amount to 10 million shares, indicating the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance earnings per share and shareholder value.
- Buyback Progress: Over the last seven quarters, the company has repurchased 5.8 million shares at a weighted average price of $29.45, representing 7% of the shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024, showcasing the company's proactive approach to capital management.
- Asset and Branch Overview: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd, Inc. operated 208 branches with total assets of $27.3 billion, total deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, demonstrating its robust business foundation and market position across multiple states.
See More
WaFd, Inc. Announces Cash Dividend and Share Repurchase Plan
- Cash Dividend Announcement: WaFd, Inc. declared a cash dividend of $0.27 per share, payable on February 27, 2026, to common shareholders of record as of February 13, 2026, marking the company's 172nd consecutive quarterly dividend, which underscores its strong cash flow and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Share Repurchase Plan Expansion: The Board increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 4.5 million, raising the total to 10 million shares, reflecting the company's confidence in its stock value and aiming to enhance earnings per share by reducing the number of shares outstanding.
- Share Repurchase Execution: Over the last seven quarters, the company has repurchased 5.8 million shares at an average price of $29.45, representing 7% of shares outstanding as of March 31, 2024, demonstrating an active approach to capital management and shareholder value enhancement.
- Asset and Deposit Status: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd, Inc. operated 208 branches with total assets of $27.3 billion, total deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, indicating a robust market position and ongoing growth potential.
See More
WaFd Bank Upgrades CRA Rating to 'Satisfactory'
- Rating Upgrade: WaFd Bank successfully appealed on January 16, 2026, elevating its CRA rating from 'Needs to Improve' to 'Satisfactory', which is expected to enhance the bank's market image and customer trust.
- Regulatory Feedback: CEO Brent Beardall expressed gratitude for the FDIC's independent review process, which allowed the bank to effectively communicate its contributions to community development lending, thereby strengthening its relationship with regulators.
- Asset Scale: As of December 31, 2025, WaFd Bank reported assets of $27.3 billion, deposits of $21.4 billion, and shareholders' equity of $3.0 billion, indicating a robust position in the market.
- Historical Background: Established in 1917, WaFd Bank has a 109-year history and operates across multiple states including Washington and Oregon, committed to meeting community credit needs and fostering local economic development.
See More
