Castleark Management LLC Purchases Shares of 2,720 Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Castleark Management LLC acquired a new position in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,720 shares of the technology company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,157,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in WWD. Bard Associates Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Woodward during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in Woodward during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Woodward by 550.0% during the second quarter. Elevation Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $39,000 after buying an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in Woodward by 82.5% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 115 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 52 shares during the period. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd acquired a new stake in Woodward during the fourth quarter valued at $61,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.18% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ WWD opened at $345.91 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $20.43 billion, a PE ratio of 38.48, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.88. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $391.06 and a 200 day moving average of $380.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.65. 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 data on Wednesday, July 29th. The technology company reported $2.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.44 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $1.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.11 billion. Woodward had a net margin of 13.17% and a return on equity of 21.89%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 21.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.76 earnings per share. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 9.300-9.500 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Woodward, Inc. will post 9.46 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared 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. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. Woodward’s dividend payout ratio is 14.24%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Daniel G. Korte sold 14,700 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 transaction, the director directly owned 4,434 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,578,725.70. This trade represents a 76.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Shawn M. Mclevige sold 2,150 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $356.82, for a total value of $767,163.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president 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. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 0.71% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. TD Cowen upped their price objective on shares of Woodward from $390.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Susquehanna began coverage on Woodward in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. They set a “positive” rating and a $423.00 target price on the stock. Truist Financial lifted their price target on Woodward from $415.00 to $420.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Woodward from $427.00 to $429.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, July 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $419.00.

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.