Investors looking for hidden gems should keep an eye on small-cap stocks because they’re frequently overlooked by Wall Street.
Many opportunities exist in this part of the market, but it is also a high-risk, high-reward environment due to the lack of reliable analyst price targets.
Small-cap stocks in the Russell 2000 (^RUT) can be a goldmine for investors looking beyond the usual large-cap names.
But with less stability and fewer resources than their bigger counterparts, these companies face steeper challenges in scaling their businesses.
A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after the major indices rebounded, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered dovish remarks at the much-awaited Jackson Hole symposium. Powell suggested that with inflation risks moderating and unemployment remaining low, the Federal Reserve might consider a shift in its monetary policy stance, including potential interest rate cuts. This outlook eased market concerns about prolonged high interest rates and their impact on economic growth. The prospect of lower borrowing costs bolstered investor confidence, particularly in sectors that have lagged, leading to a broad rally across the market.
Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at WaFd Bank (NASDAQ:WAFD) and the best and worst performers in the thrifts & mortgage finance industry.
Wall Street’s bearish price targets for the stocks in this article signal serious concerns.
Such forecasts are uncommon in an industry where maintaining cordial corporate relationships often trumps delivering the hard truth.
Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the thrifts & mortgage finance stocks, including WaFd Bank (NASDAQ:WAFD) and its peers.
The $10-50 price range often includes mid-sized businesses with proven track records and plenty of growth runway ahead.
They also usually carry less risk than penny stocks, though they’re not immune to volatility as many lack the scale advantages of their larger peers.
Investors eagerly anticipate the dividend payout from Washington Federal (NASDAQ:WAFD) on March 08, 2024. With a payout of $0.26 per share and an annualized dividend yield of 3.60%, this reward is exclusively for shareholders who held the stock before the ex-dividend date on February 22, 2024
