1,744 Shares in Woodward, Inc. $WWD Bought by Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc.

Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 1,744 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $742,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 550.0% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares during the period. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter valued at about $35,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 82.5% in the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. Persistent Asset Partners Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Woodward in the second quarter valued at about $65,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC acquired a new stake in Woodward during the second quarter worth about $68,000. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Woodward Stock Performance

NASDAQ:WWD opened at $343.26 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.27 billion, a PE ratio of 38.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Woodward, Inc. has a 12-month low of $233.31 and a 12-month high of $450.92. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $395.86 and a 200 day moving average price of $380.66.

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

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Woodward’s payout ratio is currently 14.24%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WWD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Zacks Research cut Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Susquehanna initiated coverage on Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They set a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price objective on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Truist Financial upped their target price on Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $419.00.

Key Stories Impacting Woodward

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher long-term earnings forecasts: Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $9.46 from $9.18, FY2027 to $10.35 from $10.30, and FY2028 to $12.00 from $11.55. The firm also increased estimates for several individual quarters, supporting the view that Woodward’s earnings growth may remain strong. Zacks nevertheless maintains a “Hold” rating. Woodward analyst estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating momentum provides support: Woodward’s latest quarterly results exceeded EPS expectations, with adjusted earnings of $2.52 versus the $2.44 consensus estimate. Revenue reached approximately $1.11 billion and increased 21.2% year over year, while full-year FY2026 guidance remains $9.30 to $9.50 in EPS.
• Neutral Sentiment: $450 million private debt placement: On August 19, Woodward entered an agreement to privately place $450 million of senior unsecured notes. The financing may provide capital for corporate purposes and maintain financial flexibility, but the announcement did not disclose a specific use of proceeds. Woodward privately places senior unsecured notes
• Negative Sentiment: Some quarterly estimates were reduced: Zacks trimmed its Q3 2027 EPS forecast to $2.77 from $2.82 and its Q4 2027 forecast to $2.77 from $2.86. The reductions are modest, but they temper the otherwise favorable revisions.
• Negative Sentiment: Additional interest obligations: The new senior unsecured notes will increase Woodward’s debt and future interest expense. Although the company has relatively moderate leverage, investors may view the financing as a risk if the proceeds do not generate sufficient returns.

Insider Buying and Selling at Woodward

In other Woodward news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,105,428.36. This trade represents a 40.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total transaction of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,434 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.