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 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].

Core Insights - Major U.S. stock market indices closed positively on January 9, 2026, following December jobs data, with unemployment rate decreasing to 4.4% but job additions missing expectations [1] Group 1: Market Trends - Investors are shifting towards dividend-growth stocks due to a preference for quality and visibility amid economic uncertainty, as these stocks signal robust cash flows [2][9] - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are seen as better investments for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] Group 2: Characteristics of Dividend Growth Stocks - Dividend growth stocks belong to mature companies, providing a hedge against market volatility and economic uncertainty while offering downside protection through consistent payout increases [4] - These stocks typically exhibit superior fundamentals, including sustainable business models, profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, and strong balance sheets [5] Group 3: Selected Dividend Growth Stocks - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.2% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and annual dividend yield of 0.35% [10][11] - Cardinal Health (CAH): Projected revenue growth of 16.2% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 13.90%, and annual dividend yield of 1.02% [12] - Fox Corp. (FOX): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.6% for fiscal 2027, long-term earnings growth rate of 10.10%, and annual dividend yield of 0.84% [13] - Kinross Gold (KGC): Expected revenue growth of 11% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 36.5%, and annual dividend yield of 0.45% [14] - Donaldson (DCI): Projected revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and annual dividend yield of 1.26% [15]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market experienced a slight decline on December 26, 2025, primarily due to low trading volume following the Christmas holiday, with many institutional investors absent for the year [1] - Major indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq saw small dips, ending short winning streaks observed earlier in the week [1][9] Investment Strategy - During the holiday season, equity investors may favor dividend-growth stocks over high price-growth stocks, as companies with a consistent history of dividend increases often exhibit strong financial health [2] - Dividend-growth stocks provide a defensive hedge against economic uncertainty and market volatility, making them attractive during periods of low market activity [4] Dividend Growth Stocks - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are considered healthier investments, offering greater potential for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] - Five selected dividend-growth stocks include: - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.1% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.36% [10] - Enersys (ENS): Projected revenue growth of 4% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.70% [11] - Donaldson (DCI): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.31% [12] - Rockwell Automation (ROK): Expected revenue growth of 5.8% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.38% [13] - Vertiv Holdings (VRT): Projected revenue growth of 27.5% for fiscal 2025, long-term earnings growth rate of 30.2%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.15% [14] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks selected for their strong fundamentals include criteria such as: - 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth Greater Than Zero [6] - 5-Year Historical Sales Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - 5-Year Historical EPS Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - Next 3-5 Year EPS Growth Rate Greater Than Zero [7] - Price/Cash Flow Less Than Industry Median [8] - 52-Week Price Change Greater Than S&P 500 [8]

Core Insights - Woodward (WWD) reported net sales of $3.6 billion for Q4 fiscal 2025, reflecting a 7% year-over-year increase, and annual per-share earnings of $7.19, up from $6.01 the previous year [1] - The company returned over $238 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, contributing to a 90% increase in WWD shares this year [1] - Institutional investor demand has been strong, indicating significant support for WWD stock, as evidenced by unusual trading volumes [2][3] Financial Performance - WWD has demonstrated robust sales and earnings growth, with a 3-year sales growth rate of 14.6% and a 3-year EPS growth rate of 39.5% [5] - EPS is projected to increase by 17% this year, further attracting investor interest [3] Market Dynamics - The stock has been recognized as a top-rated investment by MoneyFlows, indicating unusual buy pressure and strong fundamentals [4] - WWD has made the Outlier 20 report 17 times since 2001, with 12 occurrences in the past seven months, highlighting its strong market performance [6] Investment Outlook - Given the historical gains and strong fundamentals, WWD is considered a potential candidate for a diversified investment portfolio [7]

Core Insights - Woodward, Inc. has been recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Companies for 2026, ranking among the top 300 U.S. public companies based on a comprehensive assessment across 11 categories and over 60 metrics [1][3] - The evaluation criteria included public trust, employee satisfaction, customer sentiment, workforce stability, financial strength, and cybersecurity [1][3] Company Performance - Woodward's revenues exceeded $3 billion for the first time in fiscal year 2024, indicating significant growth [2] - The company employs more than 10,000 members globally, showcasing its extensive workforce [2] Leadership and Values - Chip Blankenship, Chairman and CEO of Woodward, emphasized the recognition reflects the passion and commitment of team members in delivering shareholder value and fulfilling the company's purpose [2] - Woodward's core values include Integrity, Respectful and Accountable, and Humble and Driven, which are demonstrated by its members in serving Aerospace and Industrial customers [2] Evaluation Process - Forbes evaluated over 2,000 U.S.-based companies from various industries before selecting the top companies, ensuring an independent research process [3] - Woodward did not pay a fee for the evaluation, although it purchased rights to use the name and logo [3]

Core Insights - WWD, a leader in energy conversion and control solutions, reported an 8% increase in net sales to $915 million and a 6% increase in net earnings to $108 million for Q3 fiscal 2025, with raised sales guidance of up to $3.5 billion [1] - The stock has seen a 60% increase this year, driven by significant institutional investor interest [1][2] - WWD has demonstrated strong sales and earnings growth, with an estimated 18% increase in EPS this year [3] Financial Performance - The company has a 3-year sales growth rate of 14.2% and a 3-year EPS growth rate of 27.9% [5] - WWD has made the Outlier 20 report 14 times since 2001, with nine occurrences in the past six months, indicating strong demand from institutional investors [6] Market Sentiment - Institutional support is evident, as indicated by unusual trading volumes in WWD shares, suggesting a robust fundamental story [2][3] - The stock is ranked highly at MoneyFlows, reflecting unusual buy pressure and growing fundamentals [4] Investment Outlook - Given the historical gains and strong fundamentals, WWD is considered a potential candidate for a diversified investment portfolio [7]