Zacks Research Forecasts Increased Earnings for Woodward

Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their FY2026 earnings estimates for Woodward in a report issued on Wednesday, August 19th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the technology company will post earnings per share of $9.46 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $9.18. Zacks Research has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Woodward’s current full-year earnings is $9.46 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Woodward’s Q4 2026 earnings at $2.50 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.20 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.61 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.77 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.77 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $10.35 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $2.52 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $3.01 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $3.24 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.00 EPS.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. Woodward had a net margin of 13.17% and a return on equity of 21.89%. The firm had revenue of $1.11 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.76 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on the company. UBS Group increased their price objective on Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on Woodward from $450.00 to $430.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Truist Financial increased their price target on Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their price objective on Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Woodward currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $419.00.

Woodward Trading Down 1.7%

Shares of WWD stock opened at $359.95 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a market cap of $21.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.04, a PEG ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a 50 day moving average of $397.65 and a 200-day moving average of $380.75. Woodward has a 12-month low of $233.31 and a 12-month high of $450.92.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Woodward

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bard Associates Inc. bought a new stake in Woodward during the second quarter valued at $28,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in Woodward in the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC raised its holdings in shares of Woodward by 550.0% in the 2nd quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Woodward by 82.5% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 52 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter valued at about $61,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other Woodward news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total transaction of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,578,725.70. The trade was a 76.83% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total transaction of $767,163.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 3,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,105,428.36. The trade was a 40.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 0.71% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.24%.

Trending Headlines about Woodward

Here are the key news stories impacting Woodward this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks increased its FY2026 EPS estimate to $9.46 from $9.18, FY2027 to $10.35 from $10.30, and FY2028 to $12.00 from $11.55. Estimates were also raised for Q4 2026, Q1 and Q2 2027, and Q1 and Q2 2028, signaling improved expectations for Woodward’s longer-term earnings growth. Woodward analyst estimates
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks kept a “Hold” rating on Woodward. The current full-year consensus EPS estimate remains $9.46, suggesting the estimate increases have not yet translated into a stronger overall analyst stance. Woodward analyst rating
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks reduced its Q3 2027 EPS estimate to $2.77 from $2.82, its Q4 2027 estimate to $2.77 from $2.86, and its Q3 2028 estimate to $3.24 from $3.27. These quarterly cuts may be weighing on sentiment, particularly with the stock trading at a relatively elevated valuation of about 40 times earnings. Woodward revised quarterly estimates

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.