Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) Sets New 1-Year High After Strong Earnings

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) shares reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $378.00 and last traded at $374.4560, with a volume of 7184 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $327.25.

The technology company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.52. Woodward had a net margin of 12.39% and a return on equity of 17.68%. The firm had revenue of $996.45 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $901.92 million. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.35 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 28.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.600 EPS.

Woodward Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 5th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.32 per share. This is an increase from Woodward’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, February 19th. Woodward’s payout ratio is 15.58%.

Woodward announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Thursday, November 20th that allows the company to repurchase $1.80 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the technology company to repurchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are usually an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Key Stories Impacting Woodward

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results materially beat expectations — EPS $2.17 vs. ~$1.65 consensus and revenue ~$996.5M (+29% Y/Y); management raised FY26 EPS and revenue guidance, driving the rally. Zacks: Q1 Beat
• Positive Sentiment: Company press release highlights the strong quarter and updated FY26 guidance (EPS 8.20–8.60, revenue ? $4.1–4.2B), which exceeded consensus. GlobeNewswire: Results
• Positive Sentiment: Board raised the quarterly dividend by 14% to $0.32/share, signaling confidence in cash flow and capital allocation. GlobeNewswire: Dividend Hike
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst momentum: Truist raised its price target to $404 and maintained a Buy, adding institutional validation to the outlook. Benzinga: Truist PT Raise
• Positive Sentiment: Margin expansion driven by aerospace services and industrial demand was highlighted in post?earnings deep dives — supports sustainable profitability improvement. Yahoo: Margin Deep Dive
• Neutral Sentiment: Detailed resources (earnings call transcript, slide deck, and presentation) are available for investors who want line?by?line guidance and segment commentary. Yahoo: Transcript/Highlights
• Neutral Sentiment: Institutional and hedge?fund positioning has been mixed in recent quarters (some large adds and removes); watch 13F/ownership updates for flows. Quiver: Institutional Activity
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts and articles flag valuation questions after the strong report — WWD now trades at elevated multiples vs. history, which could limit near?term upside absent sustained execution. Yahoo: Valuation Concerns
• Negative Sentiment: Notable insider selling reported in recent months (multiple executive sales), which some investors may view as a cautionary signal. Quiver: Insider Activity

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on WWD. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 10th. TD Cowen reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Tuesday. UBS Group boosted their target price on Woodward from $345.00 to $378.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on Woodward from $360.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their target price on Woodward from $366.00 to $404.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $328.11.

Insider Transactions at Woodward

In related news, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 5,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owned 15,135 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,508,413.80. The trade was a 24.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Gregg C. Sengstack sold 7,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $300.76, for a total transaction of $2,105,320.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 9,610 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,890,303.60. This trade represents a 42.14% 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 worth $11,908,210. 0.71% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Woodward by 2.6% in the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,586 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Woodward by 3.5% in the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,221 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $308,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Woodward by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. now owns 1,553 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $392,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc grew its position in Woodward by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 1,036 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $267,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the last quarter. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Woodward by 1.7% in the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,626 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $644,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Woodward Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.36, a current ratio of 2.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $312.22 and its 200-day moving average price is $273.63. The stock has a market cap of $22.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.84, a PEG ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 1.00.

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.