Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC Takes Position in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm bought 6,650 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,380,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Woodline Partners LP acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward during the first quarter worth about $2,039,000. Focus Partners Wealth increased its holdings in Woodward by 35.5% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 2,390 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $436,000 after buying an additional 626 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Woodward by 684.3% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 5,043 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $920,000 after buying an additional 4,400 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Woodward by 7.0% during the second quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 4,030 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $988,000 after purchasing an additional 265 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. raised its holdings in shares of Woodward by 11.9% during the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 506 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $124,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other 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 transaction of $5,233,935.00. Following the completion of the sale, 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 at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 280 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $372.66, for a total transaction of $104,344.80. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 4,297 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,601,320.02. The trade was a 6.12% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 15,629 shares of company stock worth $5,570,005. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Stock Down 0.3%

NASDAQ WWD opened at $392.88 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $387.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $371.45. The company has a market cap of $23.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.05, a P/E/G ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.86. 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, Inc. has a one year low of $233.31 and a one year high of $450.92.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last posted 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 firm had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.01 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.69 earnings per share. Woodward’s quarterly revenue was up 23.4% on a year-over-year basis. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.150-9.450 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.34 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 20th will be given a dividend of $0.32 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.3%. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on WWD shares. UBS Group upped their price objective on Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 30th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on shares of Woodward in a research note on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $440.00 target price for the company. Susquehanna started coverage on shares of Woodward in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. They set a “positive” rating and a $423.00 price target on the stock. TD Cowen raised their price target on shares of Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $470.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, May 1st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $395.50.

Woodward 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.