Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Increases Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Price Target to $445.00

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) had its target price increased by investment analysts at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $430.00 to $445.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the technology company’s stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft’s target price indicates a potential upside of 14.54% from the company’s previous close.

Several other brokerages also recently commented on WWD. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of Woodward from $366.00 to $404.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Melius Research upgraded Woodward from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, January 5th. UBS Group upped their target price on Woodward from $378.00 to $417.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $450.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a research note on Sunday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $354.80.

Woodward Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WWD opened at $388.50 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The company has a market capitalization of $23.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 48.93, a P/E/G ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.00. Woodward has a 12 month low of $146.82 and a 12 month high of $392.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $318.61 and a 200-day moving average of $277.07.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The technology company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.52. Woodward had a return on equity of 19.07% and a net margin of 12.89%.The business had revenue of $996.45 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $901.92 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.35 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.600 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Woodward will post 6.15 EPS for the current year.

Woodward announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 20th that allows the company to repurchase $1.80 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to buy up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related 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 sale, the director directly owned 21,575 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,393,319.75. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Gregg C. Sengstack sold 7,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.76, for a total value of $2,105,320.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 9,610 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,890,303.60. The trade was a 42.14% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 42,250 shares of company stock worth $12,739,855. Insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Woodward

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its position in Woodward by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,586 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Woodward by 3.5% during the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,221 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the last quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 2.8% during the third quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. now owns 1,553 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $392,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 4.2% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,036 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $267,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,626 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $644,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. 81.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.