Free cash flow
Woodward Free cash flow decreased by 45.6% to $38.24M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 35.6%, from $59.41M to $38.24M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -5.5% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $90.88M | $130.41M | $26.17M | $0.00 | $22.95M | $91.86M | -$18.99M | $15.09M | $102.38M | $133.56M | $4.98M | $82.84M | $137.32M | $117.67M | $942.00K | $59.41M | $99.09M | $180.93M | $70.31M | $38.24M |
| QoQ Change | — | +43.5% | -79.9% | -100.0% | — | +300.2% | -120.7% | +179.5% | +578.4% | +30.4% | -96.3% | >999% | +65.8% | -14.3% | -99.2% | >999% | +66.8% | +82.6% | -61.1% | -45.6% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -74.7% | -29.6% | -172.6% | — | +346.1% | +45.4% | +126.2% | +448.9% | +34.1% | -11.9% | -81.1% | -28.3% | -27.8% | +53.8% | >999% | -35.6% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Woodward's free cash flow?
- Woodward (WWD) reported free cash flow of $38.24M in Q1 2026.
- How has Woodward's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Woodward's free cash flow decreased by 35.6% year-over-year, from $59.41M to $38.24M.
- What is the long-term trend for Woodward's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Woodward's free cash flow has grown at a -5.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $426.98M to $340.37M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.