Quantbot Technologies LP Takes $9.72 Million Position in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 22,848 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,720,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in WWD. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Woodward by 7.7% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,491,870 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $451,093,000 after acquiring an additional 106,390 shares during the period. Arbejdsmarkedets Tillaegspension bought a new position in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter valued at $24,436,000. Natixis Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Woodward by 15.4% during the fourth quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 169,174 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $51,145,000 after acquiring an additional 22,555 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter valued at $251,365,000. Finally, Aubrey Capital Management Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward in the 4th quarter valued at $2,812,000. Institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on WWD. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. TD Cowen raised their price target on Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $419.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total value of $5,233,935.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. This represents a 76.83% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total transaction of $767,163.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares in the company, valued at $1,105,428.36. This trade represents a 40.97% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Stock Up 0.3%

NASDAQ:WWD opened at $343.26 on Friday. Woodward, Inc. has a 12-month low of $233.31 and a 12-month high of $450.92. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $20.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 38.18, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 0.88. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $395.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $380.66.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a net margin of 13.17% and a return on equity of 21.89%. Woodward’s revenue for the quarter was up 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.76 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Woodward’s payout ratio is currently 14.24%.

Key Stories Impacting Woodward

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.

Woodward 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.