Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Rating Lowered to “Hold” at Zacks Research

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a $470.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their price objective on Woodward from $450.00 to $430.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, July 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $406.45.

Woodward Trading Down 2.0%

Shares of WWD stock opened at $365.78 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $21.60 billion, a PE ratio of 40.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 0.88. Woodward has a 52-week low of $233.31 and a 52-week high of $450.92. The business’s fifty day moving average is $396.62 and its 200 day moving average is $378.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.65.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a net margin of 13.17% and a return on equity of 21.89%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 21.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.76 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Woodward will post 9.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In other news, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 185 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total value of $65,675.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,648 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,295,040. This represents a 4.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total transaction of $767,163.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,105,428.36. The trade was a 40.97% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 17,779 shares of company stock worth $6,337,168. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Woodward

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Woodward in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Woodward by 550.0% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Woodward by 82.5% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in Woodward during the fourth quarter worth $61,000. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 1,800.0% in the 1st quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 209 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

About Woodward

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.