Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Stock Price Expected to Rise, UBS Group Analyst Says

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) had its target price upped by investment analysts at UBS Group from $378.00 to $417.00 in a research report issued on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the technology company’s stock. UBS Group’s target price suggests a potential upside of 11.70% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on WWD. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on shares of Woodward from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their price objective on shares of Woodward from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Woodward from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on Woodward from $329.00 to $362.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $342.80.

Woodward Trading Up 0.6%

Woodward stock opened at $373.31 on Tuesday. Woodward has a 52 week low of $146.82 and a 52 week high of $384.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a current ratio of 2.05. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.40 billion, a PE ratio of 47.02, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.00. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $315.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $275.12.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last announced its earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The technology company reported $2.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.52. The firm had revenue of $996.45 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $901.92 million. Woodward had a return on equity of 19.07% and a net margin of 12.89%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 28.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.35 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.600 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Woodward will post 6.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Woodward announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, November 20th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.80 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the technology company to purchase up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In other news, 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 value of $1,489,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 15,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,508,413.80. This represents a 24.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director John D. Cohn sold 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.33, for a total value of $888,990.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 21,575 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,393,319.75. This trade represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 40,000 shares of company stock worth $11,908,210. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Woodward

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Woodline Partners LP bought a new stake in Woodward during the first quarter worth about $2,039,000. Focus Partners Wealth grew its position in Woodward by 35.5% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,390 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $436,000 after acquiring an additional 626 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its position in Woodward by 684.3% during the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,043 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $920,000 after acquiring an additional 4,400 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp increased its holdings in Woodward by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 1,909 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $468,000 after purchasing an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its position in Woodward by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 16,700 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $4,093,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Woodward News

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Woodward posted a clear earnings beat for Q1 FY26 — EPS and revenue topped estimates, revenue grew ~29% year-over-year, and management raised FY26 guidance (EPS range 8.20–8.60). The combination of a beat plus higher guidance is the main catalyst behind the rally. Woodward Delivers Strong Q4 CY2025 Numbers
• Positive Sentiment: Market commentary is framing Woodward as a guidance-driven winner this earnings season — investors are rewarding companies that beat and raise outlooks, and Woodward fits that playbook given its exposure to aerospace and data-center/self-generation demand. Palantir and Woodward Jumped on Earnings Beats
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts have been raising targets after the print — UBS bumped its target to $417 and Truist to $404, reflecting renewed buy-side confidence and providing additional upside support for the stock. UBS Price Target Raise
• Neutral Sentiment: Woodward hit a 52-week high on the rally, prompting questions about whether the momentum can continue — readers should watch order trends and margin outlook for confirmation. Zacks: Hits Fresh High
• Neutral Sentiment: Management also announced a dividend increase, which supports shareholder returns but has raised questions about valuation given the stock’s run-up. Monitor payout policy vs. cash flow. Dividend Hike and Earnings Strength
• Neutral Sentiment: Corporate housekeeping: shareholders approved director and governance items at the annual meeting — routine but removes a potential governance overhang. Shareholder Approvals
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is a near-term risk: after the strong move the stock trades at a rich multiple (high P/E and PEG), prompting some analysts and market pieces to question how much upside remains without continued beat-and-raise performance. Valuation Discussion

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.