Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eleven have given a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $393.00.

A number of brokerages have recently commented on WWD. Zacks Research lowered shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Woodward from $362.00 to $408.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Woodward from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on shares of Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th.

Woodward Stock Performance

Shares of WWD stock opened at $354.96 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.51, a PEG ratio of 2.14 and a beta of 0.92. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $368.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $343.91. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Woodward has a 12 month low of $213.46 and a 12 month high of $407.00.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The technology company reported $2.27 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.10 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. Woodward had a net margin of 12.85% and a return on equity of 20.12%. Woodward’s revenue was up 23.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.69 earnings per share. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.150-9.450 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Woodward will post 9.34 EPS for the current year.

Woodward Announces Dividend

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

Insider Transactions at Woodward

In related news, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 280 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $372.66, for a total value of $104,344.80. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 4,297 shares in the company, valued at $1,601,320.02. The trade was a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 on Tuesday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.37, for a total transaction of $711,084.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,095 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,189,625.15. The trade was a 37.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 20,404 shares of company stock worth $7,741,205. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Woodward

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Woodline Partners LP bought a new stake in Woodward in the first quarter worth approximately $2,039,000. Focus Partners Wealth increased its holdings in Woodward by 35.5% in 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 in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Woodward by 684.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its holdings in Woodward by 7.0% in 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. increased its holdings in Woodward by 11.9% in 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

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.