Jefferies Financial Group Inc. Sells 4,697 Shares of Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. decreased its position in shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) by 41.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 6,575 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 4,697 shares during the period. Jefferies Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Woodward were worth $1,662,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in WWD. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in Woodward during the third quarter worth $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward in the 3rd quarter valued at $27,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. increased its stake in shares of Woodward by 1,766.7% in the 3rd quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 112 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc acquired a new position in shares of Woodward during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Woodward during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Woodward Trading Up 0.0%

NASDAQ WWD opened at $385.91 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Woodward, Inc. has a twelve month low of $146.82 and a twelve month high of $403.31. The company has a market cap of $23.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.96. The business’s fifty day moving average is $358.44 and its 200 day moving average is $298.71.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The technology company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.65 by $0.52. The business had revenue of $996.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $901.92 million. Woodward had a return on equity of 19.07% and a net margin of 12.89%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 28.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.35 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.600 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Woodward, Inc. will post 6.15 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Woodward declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 20th that allows the company to buyback $1.80 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the technology company to reacquire up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Woodward Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 19th were issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.3%. This is an increase from Woodward’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 19th. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.12%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 5,000 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.88, for a total transaction of $1,489,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 15,135 shares in the company, valued at $4,508,413.80. This trade represents a 24.83% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 1,850 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $384.37, for a total transaction of $711,084.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,095 shares in the company, valued at $1,189,625.15. The trade was a 37.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 31,925 shares of company stock valued at $11,692,560 over the last three months. Insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WWD has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Zacks Research raised Woodward from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 13th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Woodward from $362.00 to $408.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Truist Financial raised their price target on shares of Woodward from $366.00 to $404.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a report on Sunday, February 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Woodward has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $354.80.

Woodward News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly results and guidance: Woodward reported a material beat (EPS $2.17 vs. $1.65 expected) and ~28.8% revenue growth year‑over‑year, and set FY‑2026 guidance at $8.20–$8.60 — these fundamentals underpin recent analyst upgrades and justify a premium valuation.
• Positive Sentiment: Aerospace portfolio expansion: Woodward agreed to acquire Valve Research & Manufacturing (VRM), adding precision flow‑control valves to support next‑generation aircraft programs — a strategic bolt‑on that should expand addressable market and margin mix in Aerospace. Woodward Announces Deal to Acquire VRM
• Positive Sentiment: Capital return / dividend increase: Board authorized up to $1.8B in buybacks (~11.6% of shares) and raised the quarterly dividend (most recent payout $0.32), which supports EPS per‑share accretion and investor yield expectations.
• Positive Sentiment: Short interest eased: Short interest fell ~13.1% late February to ~655K shares (≈1.1% of float), reducing potential short‑pressure and the likelihood of a large short‑covering squeeze. No article link
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst consensus: Street coverage is constructive (consensus “Moderate Buy” with mixed price targets); several firms raised targets after the beat, but some downgraded from “strong buy” to hold at higher absolute prices — implies upside but some valuation caution. Woodward Given Consensus Rating of Moderate Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: High institutional ownership: Roughly 81% of shares are held by institutions — supportive for stable demand but can limit free‑float liquidity and amplify moves on large trades. No article link
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: CEO Charles P. Blankenship sold multiple blocks in early March (reported sales of 5,000; 5,000; and 2,625 shares in separate filings), generating proceeds of several million dollars — markets often view clustered insider sales as a mild negative signal even if pre‑planned. SEC Filing: Insider Ownership Changes InsiderTrades: Blankenship Sells WWD

Woodward Company Profile

Woodward, Inc (NASDAQ: WWD) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and service of control systems and components for the aerospace and industrial markets. Founded in 1870 and headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, the company specializes in motion control, fuel systems, actuation, and digital control solutions. Its offerings enable precision management of flow, pressure and motion in critical applications ranging from aircraft engines and power turbines to hydraulic systems.

Woodward’s product portfolio is organized into two primary segments: Aerospace and Industrial.