Principal Financial Group Inc. Sells 64,563 Shares of Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD)

Principal Financial Group Inc. decreased its stake in Woodward, Inc. (NASDAQ:WWD - Free Report) by 31.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 138,202 shares of the technology company's stock after selling 64,563 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.23% of Woodward worth $23,703,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wolff Wiese Magana LLC acquired a new position in Woodward in the third quarter valued at $31,000. AlphaCentric Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Woodward in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in Woodward by 101.6% in the third quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 246 shares of the technology company's stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Woodward during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Woodward during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $78,000. 81.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Woodward Price Performance

NASDAQ WWD traded down $3.15 during trading on Thursday, reaching $172.56. The company's stock had a trading volume of 181,600 shares, compared to its average volume of 419,845. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.29 billion, a PE ratio of 29.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.96 and a quick ratio of 1.29. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $166.66 and a 200 day moving average of $170.65. Woodward, Inc. has a one year low of $126.31 and a one year high of $188.35.

Woodward Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 21st will be given a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 21st. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.58%. Woodward's payout ratio is presently 16.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on WWD shares. TD Cowen restated a "hold" rating and issued a $160.00 price target (down from $186.00) on shares of Woodward in a report on Friday, October 4th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of Woodward from $228.00 to $201.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 31st. StockNews.com downgraded Woodward from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Woodward from $158.00 to $162.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised Woodward from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their price target for the company from $170.00 to $190.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 31st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $174.67.

Insider Buying and Selling at Woodward

In related news, COO Thomas G. Cromwell sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.50, for a total value of $1,745,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 11,511 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,008,669.50. This represents a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Woodward Company Profile

Woodward, Inc designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets worldwide. The company operates in 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.