Looking back on thrifts & mortgage finance stocks’ Q4 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) and its peers.
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance institutions operate by accepting deposits and extending loans primarily for residential mortgages, earning revenue through interest rate spreads (difference between lending rates and borrowing costs) and origination fees. The industry benefits from demographic tailwinds as millennials enter prime homebuying age, technological advancements streamlining the loan approval process, and potential interest rate stabilization improving affordability. However, significant headwinds include net interest margin compression during rate volatility, increased competition from fintech disruptors offering digital-first experiences, mounting regulatory compliance costs, and potential housing market corrections that could impact loan portfolios and default rates.
The 13 thrifts & mortgage finance stocks we track reported a slower Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.8% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 3.9% below.
Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 9.6% since the latest earnings results.
Born in Detroit during the 1980s and evolving into a tech-driven financial powerhouse, Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) is a fintech company that provides digital mortgage lending, real estate services, and personal finance solutions through its technology platform.
Rocket Companies reported revenues of $2.44 billion, up 105% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 10.4%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.
“Rocket proved itself this quarter as a category of one. This is the power of an integrated homeownership ecosystem – massive top of funnel, scaled origination-servicing recapture, expansive distribution for industry professionals and a technologically advanced foundation for infinite capacity – built for the AI era,” said Varun Krishna, CEO and Director of Rocket Companies.
Rocket Companies Total Revenue
The stock is down 15.6% since reporting and currently trades at $15.
With roots dating back to 2003 and a focus on the stability of multifamily housing, Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE:ABR) is a specialized lender that provides financing solutions for multifamily and commercial real estate while also originating and servicing government-backed mortgage loans.
Arbor Realty Trust reported revenues of $133.4 million, down 12.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 10.3%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.
Arbor Realty Trust Total Revenue
The market seems content with the results as the stock is up 3.9% since reporting. It currently trades at $7.54.
Founded during the 2008 financial crisis when traditional lenders retreated from commercial real estate, Ladder Capital (NYSE:LADR) is a real estate investment trust that originates commercial real estate loans, owns commercial properties, and invests in real estate securities.
Ladder Capital reported revenues of $50.47 million, down 26.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 9.2%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates.
Ladder Capital delivered the slowest revenue growth in the group. As expected, the stock is down 9.9% since the results and currently trades at $9.97.
Founded in 1917 and rebranded from Washington Federal in 2023, WaFd (NASDAQ:WAFD) is a bank holding company that provides lending, deposit services, and insurance through its Washington Federal Bank subsidiary across eight western states.
WaFd Bank reported revenues of $188.3 million, up 7.6% year on year. This result came in 2.6% below analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a softer quarter as it also recorded a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.
The stock is down 5.7% since reporting and currently trades at $31.81.
Founded during the Roaring Twenties in 1926 and headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Columbia Financial (NASDAQ:CLBK) operates federally chartered savings banks in New Jersey that offer traditional banking services including loans, deposits, and insurance products.
Columbia Financial reported revenues of $66.7 million, up 236% year on year. This number topped analysts’ expectations by 12.7%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also put up an impressive beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.
Columbia Financial pulled off the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 8.5% since reporting and currently trades at $17.66.
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These concerns triggered a noticeable rotation away from these sectors and into safer havens. But markets rarely dwell on one narrative for long. Spring 2026 came, and the focus shifted abruptly from technological disruption to geopolitical risk. The US’ conflict with Iran became the dominant driver of market psychology, and when geopolitics takes center stage, the script changes quickly. Investors stop debating growth rates and start worrying about oil supply, inflation, and global stability.
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