Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,384,338 shares, a growth of 76.3% from the April 30th total of 785,234 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 652,048 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.1 days. Currently, 2.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Woodward Trading Up 1.5%

Shares of WWD stock opened at $350.03 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.85 billion, a PE ratio of 41.92, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 0.89. Woodward has a 1-year low of $227.00 and a 1-year high of $407.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $367.41 and a 200 day moving average of $346.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last released 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.69 EPS. 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. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Woodward will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Woodward Announces Dividend

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

Insider Transactions at Woodward

In other news, CEO Charles P. Blankenship sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $367.40, for a total value of $1,837,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 65,854 shares in the company, valued at approximately $24,194,759.60. This represents a 7.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 280 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 owned 4,297 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,601,320.02. The trade was a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 8,554 shares of company stock valued at $3,183,170 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in Woodward during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in Woodward during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in Woodward by 82.5% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares during the period. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in Woodward during the 4th quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Woodward during the 4th quarter valued at $61,000. 81.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

WWD has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, May 9th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Woodward in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $440.00 price objective for the company. Susquehanna initiated coverage on shares of Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $450.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $393.00.

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.