Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI) and the best and worst performers in the thrifts & mortgage finance industry.

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 slower Q2. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 3.4% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 10.1% below.

Amidst this news, share prices of the companies have had a rough stretch. On average, they are down 14.1% since the latest earnings results.

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 $180.8 million, up 20.2% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was a satisfactory quarter for the company with a beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Louis J. Torchio, President and CEO, Northwest Bancshares commented, "I am pleased to report a strong second quarter performance, with Northwest delivering another quarter of record net income, more than 59% year-over-year growth, supported by a balanced and consistent performance across the whole bank. We drove 32% year-over-year average loan growth in our C&I business, with disciplined growth in our national specialty business verticals, and benefited from the strength of our retail deposit franchise, achieving our fourth consecutive quarter of lower deposit costs, one of the best-in-class among our peers."

Even though it had a relatively good quarter, the market seems discontent with the results. The stock is down 1.9% since reporting and currently trades at $15.12.

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

Best Q2: Ellington Financial (NYSE: EFC)

Operating under the guidance of Ellington Management Group, a respected name in structured credit markets, Ellington Financial (NYSE: EFC) acquires and manages a diverse portfolio of mortgage-related, consumer-related, and other financial assets to generate returns for investors.

Ellington Financial reported revenues of $123.1 million, up 33.1% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 9.4%. The business had a stunning quarter with a beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest income estimates.

Ellington Financial achieved the biggest analyst estimate beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 6.7% since reporting. It currently trades at $12.26.

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

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 $2.76 billion, up 92.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted EPS in line with analysts’ estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 11.5% since the results and currently trades at $11.70.

Read our full analysis of Rocket Companies’s results here.

PennyMac Financial Services (NYSE: PFSI)

Founded during the 2008 financial crisis to help address the mortgage market meltdown, PennyMac Financial Services (NYSE: PFSI) is a specialty financial services company that originates, services, and manages investments related to residential mortgage loans in the United States.

PennyMac Financial Services reported revenues of $565.8 million, up 5.4% year on year. This print met analysts’ expectations. Aside from that, it was a softer quarter as it produced a significant miss of analysts’ net interest income and EPS estimates.

The stock is down 26% since reporting and currently trades at $63.69.

Read our full, actionable report on PennyMac Financial Services here, it’s free.

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 $115.9 million, down 11.1% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 7.1%. It was a stunning quarter as it also logged a beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest income estimates.

Arbor Realty Trust had the slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is down 14.9% since reporting and currently trades at $4.08.

Read our full, actionable report on Arbor Realty Trust here, it’s free.

Market Update

Over the past year, investors have been forced to repeatedly answer the same question: what is the market’s biggest risk? The answer has changed several times, and each shift has reshaped market leadership.

Late in 2025 and early 2026, artificial intelligence became the market’s primary uncertainty. Investors questioned whether AI would erode software pricing power and weaken competitive moats as AI made it easier to replicate once-differentiated products.

By the spring, technology took a back seat to geopolitics. The U.S. conflict with Iran briefly became the market’s dominant narrative, raising concerns about oil prices, inflation, and global growth. But as energy markets remained orderly and fears of a prolonged supply disruption faded, investors quickly turned their focus back to fundamentals.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.