Findlay Park Partners LLP Invests $231.96 Million in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Findlay Park Partners LLP bought a new position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 545,220 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $231,958,000. Woodward accounts for about 3.1% of Findlay Park Partners LLP's holdings, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Findlay Park Partners LLP owned about 0.92% of Woodward at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Woodward during the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of Woodward in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Woodward by 550.0% in the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Woodward by 82.5% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company's stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter worth about $61,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WWD has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, July 17th. TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $470.00 target price on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Woodward presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $419.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Woodward news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total value of $767,163.00. Following the completion of 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 ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction 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 sale, the director directly owned 4,434 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,578,725.70. This represents a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company's stock.

Woodward Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of WWD stock 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 stock has a market capitalization of $20.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88. Woodward, Inc. has a 12-month low of $233.31 and a 12-month high of $450.92. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $395.86 and its 200-day moving average price 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 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.11 billion during 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 firm's revenue was up 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.76 earnings per share. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS 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 issued 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 dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.24%.

Key Woodward News

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.

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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