Eschler Asset Management LLP Makes New Investment in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Eschler Asset Management LLP purchased a new position in shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 1,460 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $441,000.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Ariadne Wealth Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter worth $198,000. Bornite Capital Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter worth $1,572,000. Aigen Investment Management LP purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter worth $855,000. Forest Avenue Capital Management LP lifted its stake in shares of Woodward by 37.6% during the 4th quarter. Forest Avenue Capital Management LP now owns 344,999 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $104,300,000 after purchasing an additional 94,307 shares during the period. Finally, Soros Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 4th quarter worth $54,798,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of WWD opened at $386.85 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $23.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.89. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $368.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $350.95. Woodward, Inc. has a twelve month low of $230.68 and a twelve month high of $407.00.

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

Woodward Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 21st were given a $0.32 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.3%. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.33%.

Insider Activity

In other Woodward news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the firm’s 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 directly owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Karrie M. Bem sold 280 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $372.66, for a total value of $104,344.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 4,297 shares in the company, valued at $1,601,320.02. This trade represents a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 15,629 shares of company stock worth $5,570,005 over the last three months. 0.71% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on WWD. Truist Financial increased their price target on Woodward from $404.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Zacks Research lowered Woodward from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. UBS Group increased their target price 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 initiated coverage on Woodward in a research report on Wednesday, April 1st. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $440.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Susquehanna initiated coverage on Woodward in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. They issued a “positive” rating and a $423.00 target price on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $393.00.

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.