Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Stock Price Crosses Above Fifty Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• Woodward shares rose above their 50-day moving average, trading at $332.69 versus the average of $327.75; they remain below the 200-day average of $364.10.
• Analysts’ consensus is “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target of $413.82. Recent rating changes were mixed, including downgrades to Hold and price-target adjustments.
• Woodward announced a quarterly dividend of $0.32 per share, equivalent to $1.28 annually and a 0.4% yield.

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Get Free Report) passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $327.75 and traded as high as $339.35. Woodward shares last traded at $332.69, with a volume of 966,853 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Weiss Ratings restated a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Woodward in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Zacks Research cut Woodward from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on Woodward from $440.00 to $430.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Woodward currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $413.82.

Woodward Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $19.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.01, a PEG ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 0.91. 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 company's 50 day moving average price is $327.75 and its 200 day moving average price is $364.10.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Woodward

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WWD. Accel Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of Woodward by 3.2% during the 2nd quarter. Accel Wealth Management now owns 963 shares of the technology company's stock worth $410,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 2,059 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $737,000 after purchasing an additional 31 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,116 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $399,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 3.9% in the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 927 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 35 shares during the period. Finally, North Dakota State Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 2.1% in the third quarter. North Dakota State Investment Board now owns 1,818 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $597,000 after purchasing an additional 37 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company's stock.

About Woodward

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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