Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Stock Price Breaks Below 200 Day Moving Average - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Woodward shares fell below their 200-day moving average, trading as low as $320.46 versus the $367.53 average, and last changed hands at $324.07.
• Analysts have recently lowered several price targets and ratings, though the stock retains a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average target of $418.36.
• Woodward exceeded quarterly EPS expectations, reporting $2.52 versus $2.44 projected, while revenue rose 21.2% year over year; the company also declared a $0.32 quarterly dividend.

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Get Free Report)'s share price passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Tuesday. The stock has a 200-day moving average of $367.53 and traded as low as $320.46. Woodward shares last traded at $324.07, with a volume of 700,971 shares traded.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

WWD has been the subject of several analyst reports. Melius Research downgraded shares of Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and set a $388.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Wall Street Zen lowered Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on Woodward from $450.00 to $420.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. TD Cowen cut their target price on Woodward from $420.00 to $380.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Woodward from $440.00 to $430.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, September 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Woodward has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $418.36.

Woodward Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $19.14 billion, a PE ratio of 36.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.76 and a beta of 0.86. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $336.44 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $367.53. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $1.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a net margin of 13.17% and a return on equity of 21.89%. The business's revenue was up 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period 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 research analysts forecast that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 19th will be given a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 19th. Woodward's payout ratio is 14.24%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Woodward news, EVP Shawn McLevige sold 2,150 shares of the company'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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares in the company, valued at $1,105,428.36. This represents a 40.97% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Woodward

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Woodward in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Washington Trust Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Woodward in the second quarter worth about $33,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC grew its holdings in Woodward by 550.0% during the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Pension & Wealth Management Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Woodward during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Woodward by 82.5% during 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 in the last quarter. 81.18% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Woodward Company Profile

Woodward, Inc is an independent designer, manufacturer and service provider of control systems and components for the aerospace and industrial markets. The company develops technologies that help manage the flow of fuel, air, and other fluids, as well as mechanical and electrical energy, in engines and other power-generation systems.

Its aerospace products include fuel pumps and metering systems, engine controls, actuators, air valves, and electric power-management systems for commercial aircraft, business aviation, military aircraft, helicopters, and space applications.

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