Empowered Funds LLC Invests $3.22 Million in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 7,563 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,218,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of WWD. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Woodward in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $297,000. Caitlin John LLC purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 2nd quarter worth $576,000. Equitable Holdings Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 2nd quarter worth $970,000. Coastal Bridge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward during the second quarter worth $409,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward during the second quarter worth $14,174,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total transaction of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,434 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. The trade was a 76.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total transaction of $767,163.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,105,428.36. This trade represents a 40.97% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Trading Down 1.0%

WWD stock opened at $336.58 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market cap of $19.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.44, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $384.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $378.92. Woodward, Inc. has a 52 week low of $233.31 and a 52 week high of $450.92.

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

Woodward Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. Woodward’s payout ratio is currently 14.24%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

WWD has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Susquehanna assumed coverage on Woodward in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price objective for the company. Zacks Research lowered Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 5th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, July 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $419.00.

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.