SCHEDULE: Vanguard Group Boosts Stake in Willdan Group to 7.33%

The Vanguard Group reported an increased beneficial ownership of 7.33% in Willdan Group Inc. common stock as of September 30, 2025.

Summary

• The Vanguard Group, an investment adviser, filed an Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G regarding its beneficial ownership in Willdan Group Inc.
• As of September 30, 2025, The Vanguard Group beneficially owns 1,075,270 shares of Willdan Group Inc. Common Stock.
• This represents 7.33% of the class of Willdan Group Inc. Common Stock.
• The Vanguard Group holds sole dispositive power over 965,436 shares and shared dispositive power over 109,834 shares.
• The firm has shared voting power over 95,745 shares and no sole voting power.
• The securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business, not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of the issuer.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The increased stake by a prominent institutional investor like Vanguard is generally viewed as a positive signal, indicating confidence in the company's value or future prospects.

Positives

• Increased beneficial ownership by a major institutional investor like The Vanguard Group can signal confidence in Willdan Group Inc.'s long-term prospects.
• A significant institutional stake often provides a degree of stability to the stock's ownership structure.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance from Willdan Group Inc. It solely reports The Vanguard Group's beneficial ownership position.

Management Comments

• Ashley Grim, Head of Global Fund Administration for The Vanguard Group, certified that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose of changing or influencing the control of the issuer.

Industry Context

This filing reflects a major institutional investor's continued or increased stake in Willdan Group Inc., a company operating in the professional and technical services sector, often related to energy efficiency and infrastructure. Such large institutional holdings are common across many publicly traded companies, reflecting either passive investment strategies or active management confidence in the company's fundamentals.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders may view the increased institutional ownership as a positive indicator of the company's stability and potential for future growth, potentially influencing investor sentiment and demand for the stock.

Key Dates

Recommendation

The filing indicates a significant institutional investor, The Vanguard Group, has increased its beneficial ownership in Willdan Group Inc. to 7.33%. While this is a positive signal of institutional confidence, a Schedule 13G filing does not provide sufficient financial or operational details to warrant a 'buy' or 'sell' recommendation. Investors should 'hold' and consider this increased institutional interest as part of a broader due diligence process, awaiting further financial disclosures for a more comprehensive assessment.

Keywords

Willdan Group Inc, Vanguard Group, Schedule 13G, Beneficial Ownership, Institutional Investment, Common Stock, WLDN