What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for Woodward Q1 Earnings?

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Woodward in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, December 15th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the technology company will post earnings per share of $1.66 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.54. The consensus estimate for Woodward’s current full-year earnings is $6.15 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Woodward’s Q2 2026 earnings at $1.95 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.99 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.21 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $7.81 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.08 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.32 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.44 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $10.55 EPS.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 24th. The technology company reported $2.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.26. Woodward had a net margin of 12.39% and a return on equity of 17.68%. The firm had revenue of $995.26 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $943.15 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.41 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.500-8.000 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group increased their price target on Woodward from $329.00 to $345.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 28th. Alembic Global Advisors upgraded shares of Woodward from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $281.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 20th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of Woodward from $294.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 25th. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Woodward has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $286.67.

Woodward Stock Performance

NASDAQ WWD opened at $294.42 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $17.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.95, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Woodward has a twelve month low of $146.82 and a twelve month high of $304.72. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $271.50 and a 200 day simple moving average of $255.10.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward in the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Woodward during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its stake in shares of Woodward by 1,766.7% in the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 112 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc bought a new position in shares of Woodward in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director John D. Cohn sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.33, for a total value of $888,990.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 21,575 shares in the company, valued at $6,393,319.75. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Gregg C. Sengstack sold 7,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.76, for a total value of $2,105,320.00. Following the sale, the director owned 9,610 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,890,303.60. This represents a 42.14% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 40,000 shares of company stock worth $11,908,210. 0.82% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Woodward announced that its board has approved a share repurchase plan on Thursday, November 20th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.80 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the technology company to repurchase up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Woodward Company Profile

Woodward, Inc designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Aerospace and Industrial. The Aerospace segment provides fuel pumps, metering units, actuators, air valves, specialty valves, fuel nozzles, and thrust reverser actuation systems for turbine engines and nacelles, and flight deck controls, actuators, servocontrols, motors, and sensors for aircraft.