Washington Federal Inc (WAFD) is a bank holding company operating through subsidiaries. Its activity includes accepting deposits and lending. The bank is also engaged in real estate investment and insurance brokerage activities.

The bank serves consumers, mid-sized and large businesses, and owners and developers of commercial real estate in the United States. 

As of September 30, 2017, it had 237 branches located in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas. Washington Federal, Inc. was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

I use three key data points to gauge the value of any dividend equity like WAFD: 

(1) Price

(2) Dividends

(3) Returns

Besides those three, four more keys will finally unlock an equity or fund in which to invest.

But those first three primary keys, best tell whether a company has made, is making, and will make money. 

WAFD Price

Washington Federal's price per share was $34.00 at yesterday's market close.  A year ago its price was $33.30 for a gain of $0.70 per share.  

Assuming Washington Federal's price will trade in the range of $30 to $40 next year, its price could make that same $0.70 gain or better from its current $34.00 price to $35.00 by early August 2019. 

WAFD Dividends

Washington Federal's most recent rising quarterly dividend was $0.18  declared July 23 to be paid August 24.

At its recent pay rate, its 2018 annual dividend is calculated at $0.72  yielding  2.15% at yesterday's closing price.

Gains For WAFD?

Adding the $.72 potential annual dividend to the $1.00 potential year over year price gain for WAFD makes a $1.72 projected gross annual per share gain, which will be reduced by costs to trade the shares.  

A little under $1,000.00 invested today at the $34.00 recent price buys 29 Washington Federal shares. 

A $10 broker fee paid half at purchase and half at sale costs about $0.34 per share

Subtracting that $0.34 brokerage cost from the estimated $1.72 gross gain leaves a net gain of $1.38 X 29 shares 

= $40.02

or a 4% net gain on a $986.00 investment.

Therefore, WAFD now shows a possible 4% net gain including a 2.15% dividend yield. 

Five analysts cover this stock: All five rate it as a "hold". So, the analyst consensus recommendation is 3 or "hold".

The price target set by those five brokers is $0.75 above the $1 year over year price upside I hazarded. 

Y Charts has data too. Y Charts has rated WAFD "neutral" for an overall "Y" rating; it has "good" for a Value score, and "strong" for a Fundamental mark as well as "12.48% under" for any  Historic Valuation score based on a historic $38.85 value calculation.

However, you could look at all the numbers this way: Washington Federal Inc. (WAFD) has made money, is making money, and could net a 4% net gain including a 2.16% dividend yield. It could be more, it could be less.

The above speculation is based on past year performance. Actual results remain to be seen.  Results could turn out to be far higher or lower. More study is required for you to determine if  Washington Federal Inc. (WAFD) is worth your time and money.