FORT COLLINS, Colo., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD) today reported financial results for its first quarter ended December 31, 2025. All amounts are presented on an as reported (U.S. GAAP) basis unless otherwise indicated. All per share amounts are presented on a fully diluted basis. All comparisons are made to the same period of the prior year unless otherwise stated. All references to years are references to the Company’s fiscal year unless otherwise stated. First Quarter Ove ...

Core Viewpoint - Woodward, Inc. has declared a cash dividend of $0.32 per share, marking a 14% increase from the previous quarter's dividend of $0.28 per share, with payment scheduled for March 5, 2026 [1] Company Overview - Woodward, Inc. is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and service of energy conversion and control solutions for aerospace and industrial equipment markets [2] - The company's mission is to provide energy control solutions that contribute to a clean future, with systems designed to perform in harsh environments [2] - Woodward is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado, USA [2]

Core Viewpoint - Woodward, Inc. is experiencing a positive trend in its price target and earnings expectations, reflecting growing confidence in its future prospects [2][6]. Group 1: Company Overview - Woodward, Inc. operates in the aerospace and industrial markets, providing control solutions such as fuel pumps and actuators for aircraft, and valves and ignition systems for industrial engines [1]. - The company was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado [1]. Group 2: Financial Projections - Woodward is expected to announce its first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on February 2, with projections of earnings at $1.64 per share and revenue around $902 million [3][6]. - For fiscal year 2026, the company has guided earnings per share to range from $7.50 to $8.00, driven primarily by the Aerospace segment [3]. Group 3: Analyst Ratings and Market Sentiment - The consensus price target for Woodward has increased from $305.07 last year to $370.25 last month, indicating growing confidence among analysts [2][6]. - Woodward has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting increased optimism about its earnings potential and likelihood to exceed quarterly earnings estimates [4][6]. - Despite a lower price target set by Deutsche Bank at $180, the overall analyst outlook remains positive, highlighting the company's strong performance history [5].

Core Insights - Woodward, Inc. is set to release its Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings on February 2, 2026, with an expected EPS of $1.63 and projected revenue of $893.2 million [1][6] Group 1: Growth Drivers - The Aerospace segment is identified as a key growth catalyst, with a forecasted revenue increase of 15.4% year-over-year, contributing to a 20.7% rise in EPS [2][6] - The company's strategic shift from its China on-highway business to focus on the Industrial segment aligns with its goal to strengthen core operations [3] Group 2: Financial Health - Woodward demonstrates strong financial stability with a low debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.096, indicating minimal reliance on debt financing [4] - The current ratio of about 2.08 reflects robust short-term financial health, with current assets more than double current liabilities [4] Group 3: Performance and Expectations - The company has consistently exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters, achieving an average earnings surprise of 14.66% [5] - The upcoming earnings call is crucial for investors to assess the sustainability of growth trends and future earnings expectations [5]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] Zacks Style Scores - The Zacks Style Scores are indicators designed to help investors select stocks likely to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2] - Stocks with higher Style Scores have a better chance of outperforming the market, with A being the highest score [2] Value Score - The Value Style Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow, appealing to value investors [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score focuses on a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, using factors like one-week price changes and monthly earnings estimate changes to identify high-momentum stocks [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores to identify companies with the best overall potential, serving as a strong indicator alongside the Zacks Rank [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically achieving an average annual return of +23.83% since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8] Stock Selection Strategy - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B to maximize upside potential, while stocks with lower ranks should also have high Style Scores to mitigate risks [10][11] Company Spotlight: Woodward, Inc. - Woodward, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of energy control solutions, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B, making it a strong candidate for growth investors [12] - The company is projected to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 13.5% for the current fiscal year, with a recent earnings estimate increase of $0.13 to $7.82 per share [13]

Core Viewpoint - Woodward (WWD) is anticipated to report a year-over-year increase in earnings driven by higher revenues, with the consensus outlook suggesting a positive earnings picture that could influence its stock price in the near term [1][2]. Earnings Expectations - The upcoming earnings report is expected to be released on February 2, with analysts predicting quarterly earnings of $1.63 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +20.7% [3]. - Revenues are projected to reach $891.31 million, which is a 15.4% increase compared to the same quarter last year [3]. Estimate Revisions - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised down by 0.04% over the last 30 days, indicating a slight reassessment by analysts [4]. - Despite this revision, the Most Accurate Estimate for Woodward is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, resulting in a positive Earnings ESP of +4.41% [12]. Earnings Surprise Prediction - The Zacks Earnings ESP model suggests that a positive Earnings ESP reading is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, especially when combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [10]. - Woodward currently holds a Zacks Rank of 1, indicating a high likelihood of beating the consensus EPS estimate [12]. Historical Performance - In the last reported quarter, Woodward exceeded the expected earnings of $1.83 per share by delivering $2.09, resulting in a surprise of +14.21% [13]. - Over the past four quarters, Woodward has consistently beaten consensus EPS estimates [14]. Industry Comparison - In contrast, Hexcel (HXL), another player in the Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry, is expected to report earnings of $0.5 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of -3.9% [19]. - Hexcel's revenues are projected to be $478.38 million, showing a modest increase of 1% from the previous year [19]. - The consensus EPS estimate for Hexcel has been revised down by 3.7% over the last 30 days, resulting in a negative Earnings ESP of -3.76% [20].

Core Viewpoint - Woodward, Inc. is set to announce its fiscal 2026 first quarter financial results on February 2, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET, followed by a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Results Announcement - The company will release its fiscal 2026 first quarter financial results on February 2, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET [1]. - A news release will accompany the financial results announcement [1]. - The conference call will provide an overview of the company's business and financial performance [2]. Group 2: Conference Call Details - The conference call can be accessed live via the company's website [2]. - Participants can also join the call by dialing specific phone numbers for U.S. domestic and international listeners [3]. - The Conference ID for the call is 4675940, and participants are encouraged to call in prior to the start time for registration [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Woodward, Inc. is a global leader in energy conversion and control solutions for aerospace and industrial equipment markets [4]. - The company focuses on designing and delivering energy control solutions aimed at powering a clean future [4]. - Woodward's systems are designed to perform in harsh environments, showcasing its innovative capabilities [4].

Core Insights - Woodward, Inc. (WWD) plans to wind down its on-highway natural gas truck business in China as part of a strategy to optimize its Industrial segment and product portfolio [1][10] - The decision follows a prolonged assessment of strategic alternatives, including potential divestitures, but no viable offers were received [2][10] - The exit from the China OH business is aimed at reallocating resources to higher-growth markets, enhancing focus on advanced control solutions in Transportation, Power Generation, and Oil & Gas [4][8] Financial Performance - Woodward reported record sales and earnings in fiscal 2025, with the Industrial segment's net sales reaching $334 million, a 10.6% increase year-over-year [5][6] - Core industrial sales, excluding the impact of the China OH business, rose by 15%, with Transportation sales up 15% and Oil & Gas sales increasing by 13% [6] - The Industrial segment's earnings fell to $183 million in fiscal 2025 from $230 million the previous year, primarily due to lower volumes and an unfavorable sales mix linked to reduced demand from China OH [7] Future Outlook - Woodward anticipates consolidated net sales growth of 7% to 12% for fiscal 2026, with Aerospace projected to grow by 9% to 15% and Industrial expected to increase by 5% to 9% [8] - The earnings projections for the Aerospace segment are expected to be 22% to 23% of segment sales, while the Industrial segment's earnings are projected at 14.5% to 15.5% [8] Market Position - Woodward currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), with shares having increased by 30.8% over the past six months, outperforming the Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry's growth of 19.5% [9]

Core Viewpoint - Woodward, Inc. is winding down its China on-highway natural gas truck operation to focus on priority markets and long-term growth opportunities [1][2][3] Group 1: Strategic Decision - The decision to wind down the China OH business is aimed at aligning the Industrial portfolio with key end-markets [2] - This move allows the company to redirect resources towards controls solutions in Transportation, Power Generation, and Oil & Gas [2] Group 2: Rationale Behind the Decision - Woodward has reviewed options for the China OH business for years, including full and partial divestitures, but no buyers emerged [3] - The company cited difficult conditions in China as a reason for the orderly wind-down, which includes closing a small manufacturing site [3] Group 3: Financial Context - The China OH unit has not delivered meaningful, steady results, prompting the decision to wind down [4] - In fiscal 2025, Woodward reported record sales and earnings, driven by strength in its Industrial and Aerospace segments [4] - Woodward shares are trading lower by 1.41% to $331.25 in premarket trading [4]

Core Viewpoint - Woodward, Inc. is winding down its on-highway natural gas truck business in China as part of a strategy to optimize its Industrial segment and product portfolio [1][2]. Group 1: Business Strategy - The decision to wind down the China on-highway (OH) business aligns Woodward's Industrial portfolio with priority end-markets and long-term growth opportunities [2]. - This strategic move allows the company to realign resources and focus on delivering leading control solutions across Transportation, Power Generation, and Oil & Gas markets [2]. Group 2: Operational Impact - The wind-down will involve closing a small manufacturing facility in China and reducing a limited number of sales, engineering, and product support staff [3]. - The decision is specific to the China OH business and does not affect other segments of Woodward [3]. Group 3: Financial Performance - The China OH business has not significantly contributed to Woodward's overall financial performance consistently [4]. - In fiscal year 2025, Woodward achieved record sales and earnings, driven by strong results in its Industrial and Aerospace segments [4].