Melius Upgrades Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) to Buy

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Melius from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued on Monday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Other analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, December 27th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Woodward from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Wolfe Research set a $300.00 price objective on Woodward and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, October 3rd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on Woodward from $294.00 to $305.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $298.78.

Woodward Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of WWD opened at $325.97 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 2.08. Woodward has a one year low of $146.82 and a one year high of $327.48. The stock has a market capitalization of $19.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 45.34, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.02. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $287.78 and a 200 day moving average price of $263.05.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 24th. The technology company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.83 by $0.26. Woodward had a return on equity of 17.68% and a net margin of 12.39%.The company had revenue of $995.26 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $943.15 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.41 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 16.5% on a year-over-year basis. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.500-8.000 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Woodward will post 6.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Woodward declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Thursday, November 20th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.80 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the technology company to reacquire up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director John D. Cohn sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $296.33, for a total value of $888,990.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 21,575 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,393,319.75. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.88, for a total transaction of $1,489,400.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 15,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,508,413.80. The trade was a 24.83% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders have sold 40,000 shares of company stock valued at $11,908,210. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Woodward

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of WWD. United Services Automobile Association acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward during the first quarter worth about $703,000. Woodline Partners LP purchased a new stake in Woodward during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,039,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its position in Woodward by 0.7% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 165,286 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $30,163,000 after buying an additional 1,146 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth grew its stake in shares of Woodward by 35.5% in the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,390 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $436,000 after acquiring an additional 626 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Woodward by 0.5% in the first quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 45,928 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $8,381,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares in the last quarter. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.