EP Wealth Advisors LLC Purchases Shares of 5,075 Woodward, Inc. $WWD

EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 5,075 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $2,159,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Woodward during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Woodward by 550.0% in the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its stake in Woodward by 82.5% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company's stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares during the last quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in Woodward in the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Persistent Asset Partners Ltd acquired a new stake in Woodward during the 2nd quarter worth about $65,000. 81.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Woodward News Summary

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.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In related news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total transaction of $767,163.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,105,428.36. This trade represents a 40.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the business'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 value of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 4,434 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,578,725.70. The trade was a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. 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 note on Thursday, July 30th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Woodward in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Zacks Research downgraded Woodward from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $470.00 target price on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Susquehanna began coverage on Woodward in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a "positive" rating and a $423.00 target price on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $419.00.

Woodward Price Performance

NASDAQ:WWD opened at $343.26 on Friday. Woodward, Inc. has a one year low of $233.31 and a one year high of $450.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.65. The firm has a market cap of $20.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.18, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88. The firm's fifty day moving average is $395.86 and its two-hundred day moving average is $380.66.

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

Woodward Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. Woodward's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.24%.

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.

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