Deutsche Bank AG Buys Shares of 93,455 Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Key Points

• Deutsche Bank initiated a Woodward position by purchasing 93,455 shares worth approximately $39.8 million, representing about 0.16% of the company. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 81.18% of Woodward.
• Woodward reported adjusted quarterly EPS of $2.52, beating estimates of $2.44, while revenue rose 21.2% year over year to about $1.11 billion. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $419, although Zacks still rates the stock “Hold.”
• Insiders recently sold significant holdings, including an executive vice president’s $767,163 sale and a director’s $5.23 million sale. Woodward also agreed to issue $450 million of senior unsecured notes, increasing debt and future interest obligations.

Deutsche Bank AG bought a new position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 93,455 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $39,759,000. Deutsche Bank AG owned approximately 0.16% of Woodward as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Woodward by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,491,870 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $451,093,000 after acquiring an additional 106,390 shares in the last quarter. Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension bought a new stake in Woodward during the fourth quarter worth approximately $24,436,000. Natixis Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Woodward by 15.4% during the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 169,174 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $51,145,000 after purchasing an additional 22,555 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Woodward during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $251,365,000. Finally, Aubrey Capital Management Ltd bought a new position in shares of Woodward in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $2,812,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Woodward news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total value of $767,163.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 3,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,105,428.36. This trade represents a 40.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total transaction of $5,233,935.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,434 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,578,725.70. The trade was a 76.83% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Woodward

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher long-term earnings forecasts: Zacks Research raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $9.46 from $9.18, FY2027 to $10.35 from $10.30, and FY2028 to $12.00 from $11.55. The firm also increased estimates for several individual quarters, supporting the view that Woodward’s earnings growth may remain strong. Zacks nevertheless maintains a “Hold” rating. Woodward analyst estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Recent operating momentum provides support: Woodward’s latest quarterly results exceeded EPS expectations, with adjusted earnings of $2.52 versus the $2.44 consensus estimate. Revenue reached approximately $1.11 billion and increased 21.2% year over year, while full-year FY2026 guidance remains $9.30 to $9.50 in EPS.
• Neutral Sentiment: $450 million private debt placement: On August 19, Woodward entered an agreement to privately place $450 million of senior unsecured notes. The financing may provide capital for corporate purposes and maintain financial flexibility, but the announcement did not disclose a specific use of proceeds. Woodward privately places senior unsecured notes
• Negative Sentiment: Some quarterly estimates were reduced: Zacks trimmed its Q3 2027 EPS forecast to $2.77 from $2.82 and its Q4 2027 forecast to $2.77 from $2.86. The reductions are modest, but they temper the otherwise favorable revisions.
• Negative Sentiment: Additional interest obligations: The new senior unsecured notes will increase Woodward’s debt and future interest expense. Although the company has relatively moderate leverage, investors may view the financing as a risk if the proceeds do not generate sufficient returns.

Woodward Trading Up 0.3%

WWD opened at $343.26 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.65, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $395.86 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $380.66. Woodward, Inc. has a 1-year low of $233.31 and a 1-year high of $450.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $20.27 billion, a PE ratio of 38.18, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a return on equity of 21.89% and a net margin of 13.17%.The business's quarterly revenue was up 21.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.76 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid 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, August 20th. Woodward's dividend payout ratio is presently 14.24%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WWD has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, July 17th. Wall Street Zen downgraded Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Susquehanna started coverage on Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a "positive" rating and a $423.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Woodward from $450.00 to $430.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $419.00.

Woodward 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.

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