Provides commercial and industrial loans to businesses. Offers commercial real estate loans secured by various properties. Now — the numbers.
That much dependence is a risk in itself: if this one line weakens, the whole company feels it directly.
This is an established company with proven profits.
Average growth of 27% a year over the last 4 years. Every year shown ended in profit.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Clearly below the class average.
For a bank, strength is measured by capital buffers and reserves — not cash minus debt.
Clearly below the class average.
Sales are growing strongly for its sector.
Clearly below the class average.
Financial Strength: The capital buffer looks thin next to its class; less room to absorb a rough stretch.
Price Momentum: The stock has lagged the market in recent months; investor interest is weak right now.
The stock trades 36% below its peak. The market has trimmed its expectations for the company.
The net profit margin is 18% — still a thick cushion, though costs have been eating into it lately.
Over the last 4 years, sales grew about 27% a year on average.
It met or beat analyst expectations in 7 of the last 8 quarters — consistency is a promise kept.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 13/100.
Buyers haven’t stepped back in yet; the price hasn’t found its footing. Report-card grade: 27/100. For a turnaround signal, the stock first needs to close the gap with the market.
Measured against its sector, the quality of the business sits below the class average. Report-card grade: 45/100.
On our five-subject report card, WAL sits behind the class. A low grade doesn’t mean “doomed” — it means “big claim, small proof.”
The takeaway: WAL does earn real profits — but on our report card it still sits behind its class. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.
The total grade weighs these five subjects against the sector — it isn’t a simple average of the five.