Empowered Funds LLC Sells 8,560 Shares of Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Empowered Funds LLC cut its stake in shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) by 22.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 29,000 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 8,560 shares during the quarter. Empowered Funds LLC’s holdings in Woodward were worth $10,380,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new position in Woodward in the fourth quarter worth approximately $251,365,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Woodward by 122.0% during the 3rd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 905,578 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $228,849,000 after purchasing an additional 497,722 shares in the last quarter. Findlay Park Partners LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Woodward by 136.2% in the 4th quarter. Findlay Park Partners LLP now owns 686,200 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $207,452,000 after buying an additional 395,726 shares during the period. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership lifted its holdings in shares of Woodward by 45.7% in the 4th quarter. Artisan Partners Limited Partnership now owns 1,065,294 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $322,060,000 after buying an additional 334,333 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Investments LP grew its position in shares of Woodward by 1,086.9% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 330,514 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $83,524,000 after buying an additional 302,666 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In related news, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 280 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $372.66, for a total transaction of $104,344.80. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,297 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,601,320.02. This represents a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were 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 of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,629 shares of company stock valued at $5,570,005. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WWD has been the subject of several recent research reports. Susquehanna began coverage on Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $430.00 target price on shares of Woodward in a report on Thursday. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Woodward from $404.00 to $415.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 9th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Woodward presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $393.83.

Woodward Trading Down 7.6%

Shares of NASDAQ WWD opened at $356.28 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 39.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.30 and a beta of 0.86. Woodward, Inc. has a 1-year low of $233.31 and a 1-year high of $450.92. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $395.42 and a 200 day moving average price of $377.35.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.44 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a return on equity of 21.71% and a net margin of 13.17%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 21.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.76 earnings per share. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.34 EPS for the current fiscal 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 given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Woodward’s payout ratio is presently 15.33%.

Trending Headlines about Woodward

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter results exceeded expectations: Woodward reported adjusted earnings of $2.52 per share, above the roughly $2.39–$2.44 analyst estimates and up from $1.76 a year earlier. Revenue rose 21.2% year over year to $1.11 billion, in line with expectations. Woodward Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Growth was broad-based: Aerospace and industrial demand, higher volume, and pricing supported the quarter, while adjusted earnings increased 43.2%. The performance gives investors evidence of continued operating momentum. WWD Q3 Earnings Beat on Aerospace and Industrial Strength
• Positive Sentiment: Fiscal 2026 earnings guidance was raised to adjusted EPS of $9.30–$9.50, broadly consistent with the $9.40 consensus estimate. Woodward also projected approximately $4.3–$4.4 billion in revenue. Woodward Fiscal Q3 Adjusted Earnings, Revenue Rise; Lifts Fiscal 2026 Adjusted Earnings Guidance
• Neutral Sentiment: RBC Capital maintained its Buy/Outperform rating, supporting the view that analysts remain constructive on Woodward’s longer-term prospects. RBC Capital Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Woodward
• Negative Sentiment: The key pressure is the aerospace outlook: coverage indicates the outlook was narrowed, raising concerns that aerospace growth may moderate even as current results remain strong. With WWD trading at a relatively elevated earnings multiple, investors may be demanding more substantial forward growth. Woodward’s Shares Fall as Aerospace Outlook Narrows
• Negative Sentiment: Woodward’s plan to require approximately 1,000 fewer hires by 2029 may improve efficiency and margins, but it also signals a more cautious approach to workforce expansion and could reinforce concerns about future demand. Woodward Raises 2026 Adjusted EPS View

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.