Vise Technologies Inc. Acquires New Stake in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Vise Technologies Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 1,648 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $701,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Woodward by 7.7% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,491,870 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $451,093,000 after purchasing an additional 106,390 shares during the last quarter. Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension purchased a new stake in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter worth about $24,436,000. Natixis Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Woodward by 15.4% in the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 169,174 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $51,145,000 after buying an additional 22,555 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Woodward in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $251,365,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the second quarter valued at approximately $2,984,684,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Stock Performance

Shares of WWD stock opened at $343.26 on Monday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $395.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $381.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.65 and a quick ratio of 1.14. Woodward, Inc. has a 1-year low of $233.31 and a 1-year high of $450.92. The firm has a market cap of $20.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.18, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88.

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

Woodward Dividend Announcement

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. UBS Group boosted their price target on Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Susquehanna initiated coverage on Woodward in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. They set a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Research cut Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, May 1st. 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $419.00.

Woodward News Summary

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 related news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total value of $5,233,935.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction on Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total value of $767,163.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,098 shares in the company, valued at $1,105,428.36. The trade was a 40.97% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 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.