Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Sets New 1-Year High – Time to Buy?

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD)’s share price reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $306.27 and last traded at $305.8150, with a volume of 402455 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $293.23.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group increased their target price on Woodward from $329.00 to $345.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Wolfe Research set a $300.00 price objective on Woodward and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 3rd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 28th. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Woodward from $294.00 to $305.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Woodward currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $286.67.

Woodward Trading Up 4.3%

The stock has a market cap of $18.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.55, a PEG ratio of 2.42 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a 50-day moving average of $273.05 and a 200-day moving average of $255.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18.

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

Woodward declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, November 20th that permits the company to repurchase $1.80 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the technology company to buy up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In other news, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $297.88, for a total transaction of $1,489,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 15,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,508,413.80. This represents a 24.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director John D. Cohn sold 3,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $296.33, for a total value of $888,990.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 21,575 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,393,319.75. This represents a 12.21% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 40,000 shares of company stock valued at $11,908,210 over the last quarter. 0.82% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Woodward

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of WWD. Allworth Financial LP increased its holdings in Woodward by 27.9% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 463 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $117,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc grew its holdings in shares of Woodward by 4.2% during the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,036 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $267,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd raised its position in Woodward by 80.0% in the 3rd quarter. Swiss Life Asset Management Ltd now owns 2,769 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $700,000 after buying an additional 1,231 shares during the last quarter. Harvest Investment Services LLC bought a new stake in Woodward in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $2,340,000. Finally, CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its position in Woodward by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 35,704 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $8,781,000 after acquiring an additional 915 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors 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.