WWD

Woodward, Inc.

Fundamental data last updated:September 22, 2026

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company profile

SECTOR

Industrials

industry

Aerospace & Defense

Exchange

NASDAQ

County of HQ

US

Next Earnings Date

Pending Announcement

Business Summary

Woodward, Inc. designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets worldwide. The company operates through two segments: Aerospace and Industrial. The Aerospace segment provides fuel pumps, metering units, actuators, air valves, specialty valves, fuel nozzles, and thrust reverser actuation systems for turbine engines and nacelles, and flight deck controls, actuators, servocontrols, motors, and sensors for aircraft. These products are used on commercial and private aircraft and rotorcraft, as well as on military fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft, guided weapons, and other defense systems. It also provides aftermarket maintenance, repair and overhaul, and other services to commercial airlines, repair facilities, military depots, third party repair shops, and other end users. This segment sells its products to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tier-one suppliers, and various contractors, as well as through aftermarket sales of components, such as provisioning spares or replacements, and spare parts. The Industrial segment offers actuators, valves, pumps, fuel injection systems, solenoids, ignition systems, speed controls, electronics and software, and sensors. These products are used on industrial gas turbines, steam turbines, compressors, and reciprocating engines. This segment sells its aftermarket products, and other related services to OEMs through an independent network of distributors, as well as directly to end users. The company was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado.

 


VALUATION

P/E

40.86

Market Cap ($M USD)

$20.94B

Forward P/E

28.51

PEG

0.66

PRICE TO SALES

5.24

PRICE TO BOOK

8.31

EV / EBITDA

28.64

5-Year Average P/E

Free Cash Flow Yield

1.86%

DCF Value

$147.91

Graham Number

$90.47

Price to FCF

53.90

EV to FCF

55.57

Earnings Yield

2.45%

FCF Yield

1.86%

DIVIDEND

Yield

0.34%

Annual Payout

$1.20

Payout Ratio

13.50%

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

$8.60

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$12.33

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

$5.08B

Return on Equity (ROE)

20.25%

FREE CASH FLOW

Operating Margin

14.95%

Debt-to-Equity

0.28

Piotroski F-Score

7

Altman Z-Score

7.79

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

16.34%

Current Ratio

1.73

Quick Ratio

1.19

Net Debt to EBITDA

0.86

Interest Coverage

13.64

Gross Profit margin

28.38%

FCF PER SHARE

$6.51

REVENUE PER SHARE

$66.94

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

Woodward, Inc. presents a perplexing valuation scenario. Despite a robust Altman Z-score of 7.95 indicating financial safety, the stock has traded significantly above its DCF value, suggesting potential overvaluation. The Forward P/E of 30.00 and an earnings yield of just 2.33% imply that the market expects substantial growth, yet the Graham Number is far below the current price, raising questions about intrinsic value. While the company boasts a strong ROE of 20.25%, the high Price/Book ratio of 8.75 suggests investors are paying a premium for this performance. Overall, the market may be pricing in perfection, leaving little room for error.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

In the Aerospace & Defense sector, Woodward is strategically positioned to leverage AI and modern tech advancements. The industry’s focus on innovation and efficiency aligns well with AI integration, potentially enhancing operational capabilities. As defense budgets grow, the company’s tech resilience could be a key differentiator.

The Bull Case

For the discerning GARP investor, Woodward offers compelling strengths. A ROIC of 16.34% highlights efficient capital allocation, while a Piotroski F-Score of 7 signals solid financial health. The operating margin of 14.95% underscores pricing power, and despite a modest FCF yield of 1.76%, the company’s ability to generate cash flow remains intact. These metrics suggest a business capable of sustaining growth and rewarding shareholders.

The Bear Case

However, the bear case cannot be ignored. Woodward's valuation multiples, such as a Price/Sales ratio of 5.51 and an EV to EBITDA of 30.10, are stretched, indicating potential overvaluation. The stock's proximity to its 52-week high, just 10.02% away, suggests technical overextension. Additionally, a low dividend yield of 0.31% may deter income-focused investors. These factors, combined with a high Price to FCF ratio of 56.73, raise concerns about the stock's current price level.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

Analyst Consensus

Buy

Average Analyst Price Target

$435.00

Institutional Ownership %

1-Year Beta

0.92

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

Distance to 52-Week High

15.78%

Distance to 52-Week Low

39.28%

EARNINGS SURPRISE %

8.10%

50-DAY SMA

$368.73

200-DAY SMA

$314.77

⚠️ Financial Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Information may be delayed or inaccurate. We may earn a commission from partner links.