As the craze of earnings season draws to a close, here’s a look back at some of the most exciting (and some less so) results from Q4. Today, we are looking at thrifts & mortgage finance stocks, starting with Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE: ABR).

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 10.7% since the latest earnings results.

Best Q4: Arbor Realty Trust (NYSE: ABR)

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. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 10.3%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 6.8% since reporting and currently trades at $7.75.

Is now the time to buy Arbor Realty Trust? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Flagstar Financial (NYSE: FLG)

Tracing its roots back to 1859 and rebranded from New York Community Bancorp in 2024, Flagstar Financial (NYSE: FLG) is a bank holding company that offers commercial and consumer banking services, with specialties in multi-family lending, mortgage originations, and warehouse lending.

Flagstar Financial reported revenues of $548 million, down 3% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 3.2%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 2.4% since reporting. It currently trades at $13.22.

Is now the time to buy Flagstar Financial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Ladder Capital (NYSE: LADR)

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 11.8% since the results and currently trades at $9.76.

Read our full analysis of Ladder Capital’s results here.

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT)

Operating as a real estate investment trust since 2009 to maintain tax advantages, PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT) is a specialty finance company that invests in mortgage-related assets and operates a correspondent lending business.

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust reported revenues of $93.56 million, down 13.3% year on year. This number lagged analysts' expectations by 6.3%. Overall, it was a slower quarter as it also recorded a significant miss of analysts’ revenue estimates and a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The stock is down 14.3% since reporting and currently trades at $11.58.

Read our full, actionable report on PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust here, it’s free.

Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI)

Founded in 1896 and operating across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI) is a bank holding company that operates Northwest Bank, providing personal and business banking, investment management, and trust services.

Northwest Bancshares reported revenues of $173.5 million, up 14.4% year on year. This print was in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a satisfactory quarter as it also produced a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $12.69.

Read our full, actionable report on Northwest Bancshares here, it’s free.

Market Update

Late in 2025 into early 2026, there was hand wringing around artificial intelligence. For software companies, the fear was that AI would erode pricing power and compress margins as new tools made it easier to replicate what once required expensive enterprise platforms. Crypto investors had their own version of the same anxiety: if AI agents could trade, allocate capital, and manage wallets autonomously, what exactly was the long-term value of today’s crypto infrastructure?

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.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.