Earnings results often indicate what direction a company will take in the months ahead. With Q1 behind us, let’s have a look at Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK) 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 12 thrifts & mortgage finance stocks we track reported a mixed Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 4.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 1.5% below.

While some thrifts & mortgage finance stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3.2% since the latest earnings results.

Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK)

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 $66.18 million, up 18.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 9.1%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with EPS in line with analysts’ estimates and net interest income in line with analysts’ estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 10.3% since reporting and currently trades at $20.31.

Read our full report on Columbia Financial here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT)

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 $2.82 billion, up 118% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

Rocket Companies achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $14.03.

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

Weakest Q1: Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE: FBRT)

Operating as a specialized real estate investment trust (REIT) with roots dating back to 2012, Franklin BSP Realty Trust (NYSE: FBRT) originates and manages a diversified portfolio of commercial real estate debt investments secured by properties in the United States and abroad.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust reported revenues of $60.39 million, up 6.1% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 17.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ revenue and net interest income estimates.

Franklin BSP Realty Trust delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 4.7% since the results and currently trades at $8.55.

Read our full analysis of Franklin BSP Realty Trust’s results here.

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 $175.1 million, up 12.1% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 0.8%. It was a strong quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and revenue estimates.

The stock is up 5.1% since reporting and currently trades at $14.18.

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

WaFd Bank (NASDAQ: WAFD)

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 $198.3 million, up 10.5% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 4%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced a solid beat of analysts’ revenue estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ net interest income estimates.

The stock is up 8.7% since reporting and currently trades at $35.35.

Read our full, actionable report on WaFd Bank 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 Top 6 Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.