Truist Financial Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Stock

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) had its price objective increased by analysts at Truist Financial from $366.00 to $404.00 in a report issued on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the technology company’s stock. Truist Financial’s price target would suggest a potential upside of 23.45% from the stock’s previous close.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft boosted their target price on Woodward from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Melius Research raised shares of Woodward from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on shares of Woodward from $350.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Woodward from $345.00 to $378.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 15th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Woodward presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $328.11.

Woodward Stock Up 3.0%

Woodward stock opened at $327.25 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 2.08 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The company’s 50-day moving average is $312.22 and its 200-day moving average is $273.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.64 billion, a PE ratio of 45.51, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.00. Woodward has a fifty-two week low of $146.82 and a fifty-two week high of $339.10.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The technology company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.52. The business had revenue of $996.45 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $901.92 million. Woodward had a net margin of 12.39% and a return on equity of 17.68%. Woodward’s revenue was up 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.35 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.600 EPS. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Woodward 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 outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the technology company to purchase up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Woodward

In other news, Director John D. Cohn sold 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.33, for a total transaction of $888,990.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 21,575 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,393,319.75. The trade was a 12.21% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 5,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction 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 sale, the chief operating officer owned 15,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,508,413.80. This represents a 24.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last 90 days, insiders 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

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WWD. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in Woodward during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Woodward during the third quarter worth about $27,000. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. raised its position in shares of Woodward by 1,766.7% during the third quarter. SJS Investment Consulting Inc. now owns 112 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Financial Perspectives Inc acquired a new position in shares of Woodward in the third quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Kilter Group LLC bought a new stake in Woodward in the second quarter valued at approximately $39,000. 81.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Woodward News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and upgraded guidance: Woodward reported EPS of $2.17 and revenue of $996.5M (roughly +29% YoY), beating estimates, and raised FY‑2026 EPS guidance to $8.20–8.60 with revenue guidance above Street expectations — a primary driver of the stock’s uptick. Woodward Reports Strong First Quarter Fiscal Year 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Margin expansion from aerospace services and industrial growth: Company commentary and analyst deep dives point to higher gross and operating margins driven by aerospace services mix and improving industrial demand. That margin leverage is supporting better-than-expected profit growth. WWD Q4 Deep Dive: Aerospace Services and Industrial Growth Propel Margin Expansion
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase: Board raised the quarterly payout to $0.32 (14% increase), reinforcing cash‑flow confidence and returning capital to shareholders (yield remains modest). Income-minded investors may view this as a vote of management confidence. Woodward Increases Quarterly Dividend by 14 Percent
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support and momentum: Multiple buy ratings and higher price targets have followed the print; institutional interest and upgraded forecasts are reinforcing the bullish case. Woodward Inc. (WWD) Stock Rises on Q1 2026 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Strong cash and operating metrics: Company reported meaningful YoY improvement in cash from operations, higher cash balances and capex growth; these support the outlook but require monitoring for sustainability. Woodward Inc. (WWD) Stock Rises on Q1 2026 Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Call materials and transcript available: Management provided slides and an earnings call/transcript that detail segment dynamics and backlog — useful for investors wanting to dig into assumptions behind the guidance. Woodward, Inc. (WWD) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation questions: The stronger results push multiples higher (WWD trades with an elevated P/E), and some commentators flag that the rally, plus the dividend bump, may already be priced into shares — raising near‑term valuation risk. Woodward Dividend Hike And Earnings Strength Raise Valuation Questions
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Recent disclosures show insider sales (no recent purchases), which some investors view as a cautionary sign on near‑term upside. Track insider activity for ongoing context. Woodward Inc. (WWD) Stock Rises on Q1 2026 Earnings

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.