Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) EVP Sells $104,344.80 in Stock

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) EVP Karrie Bem sold 280 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $372.66, for a total value of $104,344.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,297 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,601,320.02. This represents a 6.12% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Woodward Stock Up 3.3%

WWD stock opened at $356.38 on Thursday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $370.64 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $339.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Woodward, Inc. has a 1-year low of $204.03 and a 1-year high of $407.00. The stock has a market cap of $21.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.68, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.92.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 20.12% and a net margin of 12.85%.The business had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.69 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 23.4% on a year-over-year basis. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.150-9.450 EPS. Analysts expect that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.39 EPS for the current year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be paid a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. Woodward’s payout ratio is presently 15.33%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on WWD shares. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $450.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a research report on Sunday, February 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on Woodward in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $450.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $470.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Woodward presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $390.27.

Key Stories Impacting Woodward

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised earnings estimates across multiple periods for Woodward, including Q3 2026, Q4 2026, Q1 2027, Q2 2027, Q4 2027, Q1 2028, Q2 2028, and FY2028. Higher EPS forecasts suggest stronger expected profitability and can help justify the stock’s higher valuation. Woodward stock page
• Positive Sentiment: The firm’s updated FY2028 EPS estimate of $11.55, up from $10.95, reinforces the view that Woodward can continue delivering solid long-term earnings growth. Woodward stock page
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks Research still rates Woodward “Hold,” so the improved earnings outlook has not yet translated into a more bullish recommendation. Woodward stock page
• Negative Sentiment: EVP Karrie Bem sold 185 shares, following a prior sale of 279 shares, which may slightly pressure investor sentiment because insider selling can be viewed as a lack of near-term conviction. SEC filing

Institutional Trading of Woodward

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,116 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $399,000 after buying an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Woodward by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. now owns 758 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $271,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Woodward by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. now owns 1,553 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $392,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Woodward by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,036 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $267,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compound Planning Inc. lifted its holdings in Woodward by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 1,596 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $403,000 after purchasing an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. 81.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.