Algert Global LLC Sells 7,484 Shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD)

Algert Global LLC trimmed its position in shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Free Report) by 25.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,098 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 7,484 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC's holdings in Woodward were worth $3,678,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in WWD. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in Woodward in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $465,000. Park Avenue Securities LLC lifted its position in Woodward by 105.2% in the fourth quarter. Park Avenue Securities LLC now owns 5,299 shares of the technology company's stock worth $882,000 after purchasing an additional 2,717 shares during the period. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in Woodward during the fourth quarter worth $1,275,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Woodward by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 10,286 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $1,712,000 after buying an additional 389 shares during the period. Finally, New Age Alpha Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter worth about $2,137,000. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Woodward Trading Up 2.2%

Shares of Woodward stock traded up $4.39 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $200.88. The company's stock had a trading volume of 92,346 shares, compared to its average volume of 460,212. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a current ratio of 1.89 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $179.62 and a 200 day moving average of $179.30. Woodward, Inc. has a 12 month low of $145.98 and a 12 month high of $202.25. The company has a market capitalization of $11.92 billion, a PE ratio of 33.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 1.24.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 28th. The technology company reported $1.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.44 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $883.63 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $838.61 million. Woodward had a net margin of 11.18% and a return on equity of 16.76%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.62 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Woodward, Inc. will post 6.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 5th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 22nd. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.56%. Woodward's dividend payout ratio is 18.09%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on WWD shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft set a $187.00 price objective on Woodward and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, April 14th. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Woodward from $200.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Woodward from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Woodward from $205.00 to $209.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 29th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Woodward from $175.00 to $193.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $195.00.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In other news, Director John D. Cohn sold 2,800 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.52, for a total transaction of $536,256.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 20,965 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,015,216.80. The trade was a 11.78% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $184.50, for a total value of $1,845,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 15,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,855,506.50. This trade represents a 39.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 30,700 shares of company stock valued at $5,751,700. 0.82% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Woodward Profile

Woodward, Inc designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Aerospace and Industrial. The Aerospace segment provides fuel pumps, metering units, actuators, air valves, specialty valves, fuel nozzles, and thrust reverser actuation systems for turbine engines and nacelles, and flight deck controls, actuators, servocontrols, motors, and sensors for aircraft.