Entropy Technologies LP Boosts Stock Holdings in Woodward, Inc. $WWD

Entropy Technologies LP lifted its stake in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) by 186.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,513 shares of the technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 10,093 shares during the period. Entropy Technologies LP’s holdings in Woodward were worth $3,920,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of WWD. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its holdings in Woodward by 2.6% during the 3rd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 1,586 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $401,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Woodward by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,221 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $308,000 after buying an additional 41 shares during the period. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of Woodward by 2.8% during the third quarter. Wealthstream Advisors Inc. now owns 1,553 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $392,000 after buying an additional 42 shares in the last quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Woodward by 1.7% during the second quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,626 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $644,000 after buying an additional 43 shares during the period. Finally, Compound Planning Inc. increased its stake in shares of Woodward by 3.0% during the third quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 1,596 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $403,000 after buying an additional 47 shares during the period. 81.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Woodward from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 10th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating and issued a $450.00 price objective on shares of Woodward in a report on Sunday, February 8th. Melius Research raised shares of Woodward from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, January 5th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Woodward in a research note on Thursday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group increased their target price on Woodward from $362.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Woodward currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $354.80.

Insider Activity at Woodward

In other news, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 5,000 shares of Woodward stock in a transaction dated Monday, December 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $297.88, for a total transaction of $1,489,400.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 15,135 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,508,413.80. The trade was a 24.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Eileen P. Paterson sold 5,200 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $378.15, for a total value of $1,966,380.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 2,538 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $959,744.70. The trade was a 67.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,925 shares of company stock valued at $11,692,560. Corporate insiders own 0.71% of the company’s stock.

Woodward Stock Down 6.3%

WWD stock opened at $361.78 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $21.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.56, a PEG ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.36 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Woodward, Inc. has a twelve month low of $146.82 and a twelve month high of $403.31. The company’s 50 day moving average is $359.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is $299.14.

Woodward (NASDAQ:WWD) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 2nd. The technology company reported $2.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.65 by $0.52. The business had revenue of $996.45 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $901.92 million. Woodward had a net margin of 12.89% and a return on equity of 19.07%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 28.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.35 EPS. Woodward has set its FY 2026 guidance at 8.200-8.600 EPS. Research analysts expect that Woodward, Inc. will post 6.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Woodward Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 19th were paid a $0.32 dividend. This is a boost from Woodward’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 19th. Woodward’s payout ratio is currently 16.12%.

Woodward declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 20th that allows the company to buyback $1.80 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the technology company to purchase up to 11.6% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are usually an indication that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

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.