Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF) AI Stock Analysis

NASDAQ: WSBFAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

WSBF AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

Waterstone Financial, Inc. is a bank holding company operating Community Banking and Mortgage Banking segments in southeastern Wisconsin. For the trailing twelve months, the company generated $150.5M in revenue with a net profit margin of 20.0%. Over the last year, WSBF stock returned 41.1%, outperforming the S&P 500 return of 16.8%.

Market cap
$357.9M
Revenue (TTM)
$150.5M
P/E
11.5x
fwd 20.7x
1Y return
41.1%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$12.50
-37.2% vs last close

Bull case

  • Quarterly earnings grew 14.1% year-over-year for the period ended June 30, 2026, continuing a multi-year recovery from FY2023 net income of $9.4M to $26.4M in FY2025.
  • The bank trades at a conservative price-to-book ratio of 1.0x while offering a 3.41% dividend yield backed by a 38.3% payout ratio.
  • Management has returned significant capital to shareholders, reducing total share count by 27.3% over five years and repurchasing $16.2M in shares in FY2025.

Bear case

  • The analyst mean price target of $12.50 represents potential downside of 37.2% compared to the October 16, 2026 closing price of $19.91.
  • Revenue has contracted over the long term, declining at a 5-year CAGR of -8.7% between FY2020 and FY2025.
  • The forward P/E multiple of 20.7x is substantially elevated compared to the median of 10.8x for US-listed Financial Services peers.

What Waterstone Financial does

Waterstone Financial, Inc., operating primarily through its subsidiary WaterStone Bank SSB, serves as a bank holding company catering to southeastern Wisconsin. Organized into two segments, Community Banking and Mortgage Banking, the firm provides retail and business financial services. In Community Banking, offerings include checking accounts, deposits, credit cards, mortgages, personal loans, investment services, annuities, insurance products, and trust management. Its Mortgage Banking segment originates residential mortgage loans for subsequent sale in the secondary market, utilizing expertise in mortgage-backed securities and other debt instruments. Headquartered in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, the company was established in 1921.

Growth and profitability

Between FY2021 and FY2025, revenue contracted at a 5-year CAGR of -8.7%, dropping from $268.5M in FY2021 to $171.1M in FY2022 before recovering to $199.4M in FY2024 and $201.6M in FY2025. Annual net income troughed at $9.4M in FY2023 but rebounded to $26.4M in FY2025, lifting diluted EPS to $1.49. Gross margin stood at 71.2% in FY2025, while operating margin rose to 16.6%. Over the trailing twelve months, revenue was $150.5M, yielding diluted EPS of $1.73 and a profit margin of 20.0%. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue increased 5.2% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings grew 14.1%.

WSBF income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, Waterstone Financial held $275.5M in cash and short-term investments against total debt of $412.0M, resulting in net debt of $136.5M. Total assets stood at $2.25B and shareholders' equity reached $351.1M, reflecting a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 0.15. In FY2025, operating cash flow was $19.0M, supporting capital expenditures of $1.2M and free cash flow of $17.9M. Capital return was prioritized through $16.2M in share buybacks and $10.8M in dividends paid, contributing to a 5-year share count reduction of 27.3%.

WSBF balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

At $19.91 per share, Waterstone Financial trades at a trailing price-to-earnings multiple of 11.5x, slightly below the 12.1x median of its US-listed Financial Services peers. However, its forward P/E of 20.7x stands well above the peer median of 10.8x. The company trades at a price-to-sales ratio of 2.4x compared to the peer median of 3.2x, and holds a price-to-book ratio of 1.0x. Waterstone's enterprise value is $730.9M. Over the past year, WSBF shares rose 41.1%, compared to a 16.8% return for the S&P 500, though its 5-year return of 22.0% lagged the S&P 500 gain of 83.0%.

WSBF key metrics →

WSBF dividend

Waterstone Financial pays an annualized forward dividend of $0.68 per share, offering a 3.41% yield with a payout ratio of 38.3%. The quarterly dividend has been paid for 13 consecutive years, though it recorded a 5-year annualized growth rate of -14.1%. The last ex-dividend date was October 8, 2026.

WSBF dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street coverage for Waterstone Financial features a mean price target of $12.50, implying downside of 37.2% from its last close of $19.91. The company has beaten consensus earnings estimates in 3 of the last 4 quarters. The next earnings announcement date is scheduled for October 22, 2026.

Key risks and what to watch

  • A high forward P/E ratio of 20.7x relative to a trailing P/E of 11.5x signals that earnings expectations may face downward pressure.
  • The company holds $412.0M in total debt against $275.5M in cash and short-term investments, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17.
  • Dividends have experienced an annualized 5-year reduction of 14.1%, showing historical volatility in capital distribution amounts.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this WSBF AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of Waterstone Financial, Inc. (WSBF). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: WSBF income statement, WSBF balance sheet, WSBF key metrics, WSBF chart. See the WSBF stock overview for the latest quote and news.

WSBF AI stock analysis FAQ

What dividend does Waterstone Financial pay?

Waterstone Financial pays a forward annual dividend of $0.68 per share, which equates to a dividend yield of 3.41% with a 38.3% payout ratio. The company has distributed dividends for 13 consecutive years.

What is Waterstone Financial's valuation relative to peers?

WSBF trades at a trailing P/E of 11.5x and a price-to-sales of 2.4x, compared to peer medians of 12.1x and 3.2x among US-listed Financial Services peers. However, its forward P/E of 20.7x is higher than the peer median of 10.8x.

When does Waterstone Financial report earnings?

The company's next scheduled earnings release date is October 22, 2026.

What is the consensus analyst target for WSBF stock?

The mean analyst price target is $12.50, which sits 37.2% below the stock's closing price of $19.91 on October 16, 2026.

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