US Bancorp DE Reduces Stake in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

US Bancorp DE lowered its holdings in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) by 8.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 24,250 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 2,107 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DE’s holdings in Woodward were worth $7,331,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Keybank National Association OH lifted its holdings in Woodward by 19.7% in the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 1,132 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $342,000 after buying an additional 186 shares during the period. Certuity LLC purchased a new stake in Woodward in the 4th quarter worth approximately $214,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lifted its holdings in Woodward by 23.5% in the 4th quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 4,106 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $1,241,000 after buying an additional 781 shares during the period. M&T Bank Corp lifted its holdings in Woodward by 19.2% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 10,790 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $3,262,000 after buying an additional 1,739 shares during the period. Finally, Pictet Asset Management Holding SA lifted its holdings in Woodward by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 8,916 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $2,695,000 after buying an additional 306 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Eileen P. Paterson sold 5,200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $378.15, for a total transaction of $1,966,380.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 2,538 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $959,744.70. This trade represents a 67.20% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 1,850 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $384.37, for a total value of $711,084.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,095 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,189,625.15. This trade represents a 37.41% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 26,925 shares of company stock worth $10,203,160 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WWD opened at $362.99 on Monday. Woodward, Inc. has a 52-week low of $190.51 and a 52-week high of $407.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.92. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $376.77 and a 200-day moving average price of $331.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.73.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The technology company reported $2.27 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.10 by $0.17. Woodward had a return on equity of 20.12% and a net margin of 12.85%.The firm had revenue of $1.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.69 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 23.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.150-9.450 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.3 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 21st. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Truist Financial upgraded Woodward to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday. TD Cowen increased their target price on Woodward from $350.00 to $390.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 3rd. Melius Research raised Woodward from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on Woodward in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $440.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Woodward in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $450.00 target price for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Woodward has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $389.27.

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.