Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) has earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the sixteen analysts that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eleven have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $393.00.

Several brokerages recently weighed in on WWD. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group increased 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. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Woodward in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. They set an “overweight” rating and a $440.00 price objective on the stock.

Insider Transactions at Woodward

In other news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 1,850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 185 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $65,675.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,648 shares in the company, valued at $1,295,040. The trade was a 4.83% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 20,404 shares of company stock valued at $7,741,205 in the last 90 days. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Woodward

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in WWD. Woodline Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,039,000. Focus Partners Wealth grew its stake in Woodward by 35.5% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,390 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $436,000 after acquiring an additional 626 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Woodward by 684.3% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,043 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $920,000 after acquiring an additional 4,400 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in Woodward by 7.0% in the 2nd quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,030 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $988,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the period. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its stake in Woodward by 11.9% in the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 506 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $124,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WWD opened at $350.03 on Friday. Woodward has a twelve month low of $213.46 and a twelve month high of $407.00. The company’s 50 day moving average is $368.34 and its 200 day moving average is $343.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The company has a market cap of $20.85 billion, a PE ratio of 41.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.92.

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

Woodward Announces Dividend

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

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.