Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Releases FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) updated its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of 9.300-9.500 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 9.400. The company issued revenue guidance of $4.3 billion-$4.4 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $4.3 billion.

Woodward Stock Down 6.1%

Shares of NASDAQ WWD traded down $25.13 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $385.42. The company had a trading volume of 1,101,137 shares, compared to its average volume of 717,322. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Woodward has a 52-week low of $233.31 and a 52-week high of $450.92. The stock has a market cap of $22.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.16, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $394.83 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $376.65.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a return on equity of 20.12% and a net margin of 12.85%.Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Woodward will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Woodward’s payout ratio is currently 15.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on WWD. Royal Bank Of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and set a $450.00 target price on shares of Woodward in a research report on Monday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Zacks Research raised shares of Woodward from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 29th. Susquehanna began coverage on shares of Woodward in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Woodward presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $395.50.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In related news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total transaction of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 185 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total transaction of $65,675.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,648 shares in the company, valued at $1,295,040. This represents a 4.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 15,629 shares of company stock valued at $5,570,005 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Woodward reported quarterly earnings of $2.52 per share, above the Zacks consensus estimate of $2.39 and the prior-year result of $1.76, representing substantial year-over-year earnings growth. Woodward Tops Q3 Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised fiscal 2026 earnings guidance after a strong third quarter and expressed confidence in fourth-quarter performance. The updated EPS range is $9.30-$9.50, while revenue is expected at approximately $4.3-$4.4 billion. Woodward Reports Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada maintained a Buy rating and issued an Outperform assessment, providing continued analyst support for WWD following the results. RBC Capital Maintains Buy Rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue was approximately $1.11 billion, matching analyst expectations. The EPS beat was therefore the primary upside surprise, while the revenue outlook is near consensus rather than materially above it. Woodward Quarterly Results
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the earnings beat and higher guidance, the stock was under pressure, suggesting investors may have expected a larger outlook increase or are taking profits after a substantial prior rally. WWD also trades at a relatively elevated valuation, with a reported P/E ratio above 46, leaving less room for execution disappointments.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Woodward

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Compound Planning Inc. raised its stake in shares of Woodward by 4.7% during the 4th quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 1,671 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $505,000 after buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in Woodward by 8.5% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 982,448 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $297,014,000 after acquiring an additional 76,870 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Woodward by 831.1% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 44,825 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $13,551,000 after acquiring an additional 40,011 shares during the period. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV lifted its holdings in Woodward by 5.0% in the fourth quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 23,056 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $6,970,000 after acquiring an additional 1,090 shares during the period. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter worth $1,334,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

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.