Here’s Why Investors Favour Woodward (WWD)

Core Insights - Carillon Tower Advisers reported that small-cap stocks showed marginal gains in Q4 2025, with the Russell 2000 Growth Index returning 13.01% and the Russell 2000 Value Index gaining 12.58% [1] - The firm anticipates a favorable year for equity markets in 2026, highlighting potential opportunities in sectors such as Cyclicals, Healthcare, Information Technology, Financials, and Consumer spending [1] Company Overview: Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) - Woodward, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of control solutions for aerospace and industrial markets, with a market capitalization of $23.226 billion [2] - The stock closed at $387.12 per share on February 17, 2026, with a one-month return of 15.41% and a 102.08% increase over the past twelve months [2] - Woodward's strong performance in 2025 was driven by its aerospace aftermarket vertical, with expectations for increased production rates from large airframe OEMs in 2026 [3] Investment Sentiment - Woodward, Inc. was held by 52 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q3 2025, a slight decrease from 54 in the previous quarter [4] - While Woodward is recognized for its potential, the company is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with some analysts suggesting that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential [4]