Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Grows Stock Position in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) by 36.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 24,941 shares of the technology company’s stock after acquiring an additional 6,635 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in Woodward were worth $7,544,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Woodline Partners LP bought a new position in Woodward during the first quarter worth about $2,039,000. Focus Partners Wealth boosted its position in Woodward by 35.5% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,390 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $436,000 after purchasing an additional 626 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Woodward by 684.3% during the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,043 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $920,000 after purchasing an additional 4,400 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in Woodward by 7.0% during the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,030 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $988,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in Woodward by 11.9% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 506 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the period. 81.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Woodward News

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised earnings estimates across multiple periods for Woodward, including Q3 2026, Q4 2026, Q1 2027, Q2 2027, Q4 2027, Q1 2028, Q2 2028, and FY2028. Higher EPS forecasts suggest stronger expected profitability and can help justify the stock’s higher valuation. Woodward stock page
• Positive Sentiment: The firm’s updated FY2028 EPS estimate of $11.55, up from $10.95, reinforces the view that Woodward can continue delivering solid long-term earnings growth. Woodward stock page
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research still rates Woodward “Hold,” so the improved earnings outlook has not yet translated into a more bullish recommendation. Woodward stock page
• Negative Sentiment: EVP Karrie Bem sold 185 shares, following a prior sale of 279 shares, which may slightly pressure investor sentiment because insider selling can be viewed as a lack of near-term conviction. SEC filing

Insider Buying and Selling at Woodward

In other Woodward news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 1,850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $384.37, for a total value of $711,084.50. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,095 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,189,625.15. This trade represents a 37.41% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 185 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $352.48, for a total value of $65,208.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,833 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,351,055.84. The trade was a 4.60% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold a total of 20,219 shares of company stock valued at $7,675,530 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on WWD shares. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 9th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, May 1st. TD Cowen increased their price objective on Woodward from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Woodward from $362.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $390.27.

Woodward Stock Up 3.3%

WWD stock opened at $356.38 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.23 billion, a PE ratio of 42.68, a PEG ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.92. Woodward, Inc. has a twelve month low of $204.03 and a twelve month high of $407.00. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $370.64 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $339.98.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The technology company reported $2.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.10 by $0.17. The business had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. Woodward had a return on equity of 20.12% and a net margin of 12.85%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 23.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.69 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.150-9.450 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be issued a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.33%.

Woodward 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.