Form 4: Woodward CFO Lacey Reports RSU Grant, Tax Withholding

Woodward, Inc.'s EVP and CFO, William F. Lacey, reported the grant of 2,043 Restricted Stock Units and the disposition of 332 shares for tax withholding purposes.

Summary

• William F. Lacey, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Woodward, Inc., was granted an award of 2,043 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• These RSUs will vest at a rate of 34% on February 10, 2027, and 33% on each subsequent one-year anniversary.
• Upon vesting, the reporting person will receive one share of Woodward, Inc. Common Stock per RSU, plus additional shares from dividend reinvestment provisions.
• 332 shares of Woodward, Inc. Common Stock were disposed of at a price of $391.53 per share to cover withholding taxes related to the vesting of RSUs granted in a previous year.
• Following these transactions, William F. Lacey directly beneficially owns 16,253 shares of Woodward, Inc. Common Stock.
• An additional 211 shares are indirectly beneficially owned through the Woodward Retirement Savings Plan, calculated as of February 9, 2026.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: StockSavvy.ai views this as a routine executive compensation event, with the RSU grant being a positive for the executive's long-term incentive, balanced by standard tax withholding.

Positives

• The grant of 2,043 Restricted Stock Units aligns the executive's interests with long-term shareholder value.
• The RSU award includes provisions for additional shares in connection with dividend reinvestment, enhancing potential future value.

Negatives

• The disposition of 332 shares was solely for tax withholding purposes, which is a standard procedure and not a sale by the executive.

Future Outlook

The granted Restricted Stock Units will vest over a period starting February 10, 2027, with 34% vesting on the first anniversary and 33% on each subsequent one-year anniversary.

Industry Context

StockSavvy.ai notes that insider transaction filings like Form 4 provide transparency into executive compensation and ownership changes, which are standard practices across publicly traded companies. This filing reflects a routine component of executive incentive plans.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders gain transparency into executive compensation and ownership structure, which can influence investor confidence.
• The RSU grant incentivizes the EVP and CFO to contribute to the company's long-term performance.

Next Steps

• Vesting of Restricted Stock Units on February 10, 2027, and subsequent anniversaries.

Key Dates

Recommendation

This Form 4 filing details a routine executive compensation event involving the grant of Restricted Stock Units and the disposition of shares for tax withholding. It does not contain information that would fundamentally alter the investment thesis for Woodward, Inc., thus a 'hold' recommendation is appropriate based solely on this filing.

Keywords

Woodward Inc, WWD, Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Executive Compensation, Insider Transaction, Stock Grant, Tax Withholding