Form 4: Woodward Director Receives RSU Grant for Future Vesting

Woodward, Inc. Director Tana Leigh Utley was granted 610 Restricted Stock Units, aligning her interests with shareholders.

Summary

• Tana Leigh Utley, a Director of Woodward, Inc. (WWD), reported a transaction involving the acquisition of equity securities.
• On October 1, 2025, Ms. Utley was granted an award of 610 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs).
• These RSUs will vest 100% on October 1, 2026.
• Upon vesting, Ms. Utley will receive one share of Woodward, Inc. common stock per RSU, plus additional shares from dividend reinvestment provisions.
• The transaction price for the RSU grant was $0.00.
• Following this transaction, Ms. Utley directly beneficially owns 2,601 shares of Woodward, Inc. Common Stock.
• This total includes 4 additional shares and units issued in connection with dividend reinvestment provisions of the Issuer's RSU awards.
• Ms. Utley also indirectly beneficially owns 81 shares held in the Kent R. Utley Revocable Trust, where her spouse is the trustee and she has shared voting and investment power.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: Slightly positive, as the RSU grant aligns the director's interests with shareholders, which is generally viewed favorably for corporate governance and long-term value creation.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to a director aligns management's long-term interests with those of shareholders, promoting sustained company performance.
• The inclusion of dividend reinvestment provisions in the RSU awards allows for compounding growth of the director's equity stake.

Future Outlook

The 610 Restricted Stock Units granted to Director Tana Leigh Utley are scheduled to vest 100% on October 1, 2026, at which point she will receive common stock shares, including those from dividend reinvestment.

Industry Context

The grant of Restricted Stock Units is a common practice in corporate compensation, particularly for directors, to incentivize long-term performance and align their interests with shareholders. This is a standard mechanism used across various industries to retain and motivate key personnel.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The use of Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) for director compensation is a widely accepted practice, comparable to compensation structures at peer companies in the industrial technology sector.
• The vesting schedule of one year (October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2026) for 100% of the grant is typical for director RSU awards, aiming to provide a balance between immediate incentive and long-term commitment.

Related Party Transactions

• 81 shares are held indirectly in the Kent R. Utley Revocable Trust, where the reporting person's spouse is the trustee and the reporting person has shared voting and investment power.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The RSU grant aims to align the director's financial interests with shareholder value creation over the long term.
• Director (Tana Leigh Utley): Receives future equity compensation, incentivizing continued dedication to the company's success.

Next Steps

• The 610 Restricted Stock Units will vest on October 1, 2026.

Key Dates

Keywords

Woodward Inc, WWD, Form 4, Restricted Stock Units, RSU, Insider Transaction, Director Compensation, Equity Grant, Beneficial Ownership