Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Invests $6.19 Million in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System purchased a new stake in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 17,300 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,192,000.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of WWD. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in Woodward during the 3rd quarter worth $26,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter worth $44,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Woodward during the fourth quarter valued at $61,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 131.1% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 282 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Woodward

In related news, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 185 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $355.00, for a total value of $65,675.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 3,648 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,295,040. This represents a 4.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.05, for a total value of $5,233,935.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. The trade was a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold 15,629 shares of company stock valued at $5,570,005 in the last three months. 0.71% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

WWD has been the subject of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a research report on Monday, April 20th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Woodward in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $440.00 target price on the stock. Susquehanna assumed coverage on shares of Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price objective on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on shares of Woodward in a research report on Thursday, April 16th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $450.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Woodward has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $393.00.

Woodward Stock Down 1.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:WWD opened at $431.62 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $377.07 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $360.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.73. The company has a market capitalization of $25.72 billion, a PE ratio of 51.69, a PEG ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 0.89. Woodward, Inc. has a 52 week low of $233.31 and a 52 week high of $450.92.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last announced its quarterly 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. Woodward had a net margin of 12.85% and a return on equity of 20.12%. The company had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.69 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly 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. Analysts forecast that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current year.

Woodward Announces Dividend

The firm 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. 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 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.