Ieq Capital LLC Makes New Investment in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Key Points

• Ieq Capital LLC purchased 22,150 Woodward shares worth approximately $9.4 million in the second quarter, while institutional investors collectively own 81.18% of the company.
• Woodward exceeded quarterly earnings expectations with EPS of $2.52 versus $2.44 expected, while revenue rose 21.2% year over year to $1.11 billion. Management maintained FY2026 EPS guidance of $9.30–$9.50.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.32, equivalent to a 0.4% annual yield. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $419, though recent insider stock sales and a planned $450 million debt placement add potential risks.

Ieq Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 22,150 shares of the technology company's stock, valued at approximately $9,424,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of WWD. Callan Family Office LLC bought a new position in Woodward in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $491,000. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in Woodward in the 2nd quarter worth about $742,000. Allworth Financial LP bought a new position in Woodward in the 2nd quarter worth about $325,000. Greenspring Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Woodward during the 2nd quarter valued at about $847,000. Finally, Virtus Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Woodward during the 2nd quarter valued at about $922,000. 81.18% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Woodward Stock Performance

NASDAQ:WWD opened at $343.26 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $20.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.18, a PEG ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The business's 50-day moving average price is $395.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $380.66. Woodward, Inc. has a twelve month low of $233.31 and a twelve month high of $450.92.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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%.Woodward's revenue was up 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. 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. As a group, equities analysts predict that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. 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 payout ratio is currently 14.24%.

More 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.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Woodward news, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 3,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,105,428.36. The trade was a 40.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 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 completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 4,434 shares in the company, valued at $1,578,725.70. The trade was a 76.83% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. 0.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

WWD has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, July 17th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 8th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Woodward from $450.00 to $430.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Susquehanna began coverage on shares of Woodward in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a "positive" rating and a $423.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $470.00 price target on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $419.00.

Woodward Company 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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