Balentine LLC Has $579,000 Stock Position in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Balentine LLC cut its holdings in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) by 43.2% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,617 shares of the technology company’s stock after selling 1,229 shares during the period. Balentine LLC’s holdings in Woodward were worth $579,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Woodward during the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Woodward in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new stake in Woodward during the fourth quarter worth approximately $44,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Woodward in the fourth quarter valued at about $61,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its position in Woodward by 131.1% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 282 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently commented on WWD shares. UBS Group boosted their target price on shares of Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, May 9th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Woodward from $404.00 to $415.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a $470.00 target price on shares of Woodward in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Susquehanna started coverage on Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $393.00.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total value of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,434 shares in the company, valued at $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 280 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $372.66, for a total transaction of $104,344.80. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 4,297 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,601,320.02. This represents a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold 15,629 shares of company stock valued at $5,570,005 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:WWD opened at $420.93 on Thursday. Woodward, Inc. has a one year low of $233.31 and a one year high of $450.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The company has a market cap of $25.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.41, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.85. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $379.19 and a 200 day simple moving average of $363.43.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 29th. The technology company reported $2.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.10 by $0.17. The firm had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.01 billion. Woodward had a net margin of 12.85% and a return on equity of 20.12%. The company’s revenue was up 23.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.69 earnings per share. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.150-9.450 EPS. Research analysts predict that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Announces Dividend

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

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.