STOCK TITAN

Woodward (NASDAQ: WWD) lines up step-up debt deal

(Very High)
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Woodward, Inc. (WWD) entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for a private placement of $450,000,000 senior unsecured notes with institutional purchasers. The financing consists of three equal tranches: $150,000,000 Series U Notes due September 30, 2029, $150,000,000 Series V Notes due September 30, 2030, and $150,000,000 Series W Notes due September 30, 2033. Closing is scheduled for September 30, 2026.

The Series U, V, and W Notes bear fixed interest rates of 5.34%, 5.39%, and 5.64% per year, respectively, each increasing by 0.75% to 6.09%, 6.14%, and 6.39% during any fiscal quarter after the Company’s debt-to-EBITDA leverage ratio exceeds 3.5 to 1.0. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 23 and September 30, starting March 30, 2027. The notes rank at least pari passu with other unsecured unsubordinated debt and are guaranteed by wholly owned subsidiaries MPC Products Corporation and Woodward HRT, Inc.

The agreement includes customary restrictive and financial covenants, including leverage and lien limits, restrictions on additional debt, asset transfers, mergers, and affiliate transactions, and customary events of default that allow acceleration and a 2% default interest step-up. Woodward may prepay all or part of any series at 100% of principal plus accrued interest, any prepayment compensation amount, and specified cross-currency swap losses.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Filing Explained

Although the 8-K reports the note financing as a direct financial obligation, the disclosed sale has not yet closed: Woodward signed the agreement on August 19, 2026, with closing scheduled for September 30, 2026, so the notes are not yet shown as outstanding.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement Business
The company signed a significant contract such as a merger agreement, credit facility, or major partnership.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement Financial
The company incurred a new significant debt or off-balance-sheet obligation.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Total senior unsecured notes $450,000,000 Aggregate principal amount of Notes in private placement
Series U Notes $150,000,000 Principal amount due September 30, 2029 at 5.34% interest
Series V Notes $150,000,000 Principal amount due September 30, 2030 at 5.39% interest
Series W Notes $150,000,000 Principal amount due September 30, 2033 at 5.64% interest
Leverage ratio step-up threshold 3.5 to 1.0 Debt to EBITDA leverage ratio above which coupon rates increase
Default interest step-up 2% Interest rate increase upon an event of default
Minimum partial prepayment $1,000,000 Smallest principal amount for a partial prepayment of any series
Interest payment dates March 23 and September 30 Semi-annual interest schedule, starting March 30, 2027
Note Purchase Agreement financial
"Woodward, Inc. entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with the purchasers"
A note purchase agreement is a contract where an investor buys a company’s promissory note — essentially an IOU promising repayment with interest — instead of buying equity. It matters to investors because it defines the borrower’s repayment schedule, interest rate and legal protections, so it affects expected returns, risk of loss, and where the investor stands compared with shareholders or other creditors if the company runs into trouble.
senior unsecured notes financial
"aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000 of senior unsecured notes"
Senior unsecured notes are a type of loan a company borrows from investors, promising to pay back with interest. They are called "unsecured" because they aren’t backed by specific assets like buildings or equipment, but "senior" because they are paid back before other debts if the company gets into trouble. Investors see them as a relatively safer way for companies to raise money.
pari passu financial
"obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes will rank at all times at least pari passu"
An instruction that different claims, securities, or creditors are treated equally and share rights or payments on the same priority level. For investors, it means their position will be paid or have voting power alongside others in the same class rather than being favored or subordinated—think of several people standing in one bus line who all get on together rather than some cutting ahead. That parity affects expected recovery in reorganizations, dividend order, and relative risk.
consolidated EBITDA financial
"leverage ratio of net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA"
Consolidated EBITDA is a measure of a parent company’s total operating earnings across all its subsidiaries, calculated before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (non‑cash charges). It shows the group’s raw cash‑generation and operating performance independent of financing and accounting choices, so investors use it like comparing the horsepower of an entire fleet rather than individual cars to judge core profitability and to compare firms on a more even footing.
prepayment compensation amount financial
"together with interest ... plus any applicable prepayment compensation amount"
cross-currency swap agreement financial
"if any holder ... has entered into a cross-currency swap agreement in respect of the Note"

FAQ

What financing transaction did Woodward, Inc. (WWD) announce in this 8-K?

Woodward, Inc. entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for a private placement of $450,000,000 senior unsecured notes, split into three $150,000,000 series (U, V, and W) with maturities in 2029, 2030, and 2033, respectively.

What are the interest rates on Woodward’s new Series U, V, and W Notes (WWD)?

The Series U Notes bear interest at 5.34%, Series V at 5.39%, and Series W at 5.64% per annum, each increasing to 6.09%, 6.14%, and 6.39% if Woodward’s debt-to-EBITDA ratio exceeds 3.5 to 1.0 in a fiscal quarter.

When do Woodward’s new senior notes (WWD) mature and when is closing expected?

The Series U Notes mature on September 30, 2029, Series V on September 30, 2030, and Series W on September 30, 2033. Closing of the sale of the notes is scheduled for September 30, 2026.

How often will Woodward (WWD) pay interest on the new notes and when do payments start?

Interest on the outstanding principal of the notes will be payable semi-annually on March 23 and September 30 of each year, commencing on March 30, 2027, as disclosed in the agreement terms.

Are Woodward’s new senior notes (WWD) guaranteed by subsidiaries?

Yes. Woodward’s payment and performance obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement and the notes are guaranteed by wholly owned subsidiaries MPC Products Corporation and Woodward HRT, Inc. for principal, interest, and any applicable prepayment compensation amounts.

Can Woodward (WWD) prepay the new notes, and on what terms?

Woodward may prepay all or part of any series at 100% of the principal to be prepaid (minimum $1,000,000 for partial prepayments), plus accrued interest, any applicable prepayment compensation amount, and specified losses related to cross-currency swap agreements.

What key covenants and default provisions apply to Woodward’s new notes (WWD)?

The agreement includes restrictive covenants on liens, additional debt, asset transfers, mergers, and affiliate transactions, and financial covenants tied to a leverage ratio. Upon certain events of default, purchasers may accelerate amounts due and interest increases by 2%.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
Learn about SEC filing dates
false000010831200001083122026-08-192026-08-19

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 19, 2026

Woodward, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

001-39265

36-1984010

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

1081 Woodward Way
Fort Collins, Colorado

80524

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (970) 482-5811

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001455 per share

 

WWD

 

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 


Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On August 19, 2026, Woodward, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) with the purchasers named therein (the “Purchasers”), relating to the sale by the Company and the purchase by the Purchasers of an aggregate principal amount of $450,000,000 of senior unsecured notes comprised of (a) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Series U Senior Notes due September 30, 2029 (the “Series U Notes”), (b) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Series V Senior Notes due September 30, 2030 (the “Series V Notes”), and (c) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s Series W Senior Notes due September 30, 2033 (the “Series W Notes,” and together with the Series U Notes and the Series V Notes, collectively, the “Notes”), in a series of private placement transactions. The closing of the sale of the Notes is scheduled to occur on September 30, 2026.

 

The Series U Notes will have a maturity date of September 30, 2029 and bear interest at a rate of 5.34% per annum or 6.09% per annum during any fiscal quarter following a fiscal quarter on the last day of which the debt to EBITDA leverage ratio is greater than 3.5 to 1.0. The Series V Notes have a maturity date of September 30, 2030 and bear interest at a rate of 5.39% per annum or 6.14% per annum during any fiscal quarter following a fiscal quarter on the last day of which the debt to EBITDA leverage ratio is greater than 3.5 to 1.0. The Series W Notes have a maturity date of September 30, 2033 and bear interest at a rate of 5.64% per annum or 6.39% per annum during any fiscal quarter following a fiscal quarter on the last day of which the debt to EBITDA leverage ratio is greater than 3.5 to 1.0. Interest on any outstanding principal amount of the Notes will be payable semi-annually on March 23rd and September 30th of each year, commencing on March 30, 2027.

 

The Company’s respective obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes will rank at all times at least pari passu, without preference or priority, with all other unsecured unsubordinated debt of the Company.

 

The Note Purchase Agreement contains restrictive covenants customary for such financings, including, among other things, covenants that place limits on the Company’s ability to incur liens on assets, incur additional debt (including a leverage test), transfer or sell the Company’s assets, merge or consolidate with other persons and enter into material transactions with affiliates. The Note Purchase Agreement also contains financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a specified leverage ratio of net indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA, which is consistent with financial covenants set forth in the Existing Unsecured Indebtedness.

 

The Note Purchase Agreement also contains events of default customary for such financings, the occurrence of which would permit the Purchasers of the Notes to accelerate the amounts due thereunder. In the event of default, the interest rate accruing on each of the Notes would increase by 2%.

 

The Company’s payment and performance obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes, including without limitation the obligations for payment of all principal, interest and any applicable prepayment compensation amount on the Notes, are guaranteed by MPC Products Corporation and Woodward HRT, Inc., each a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodward.

 

The Company, at its option, is permitted at any time to prepay all or any part of the then-outstanding principal amount of any series of the Notes at 100% of the principal amount of the series of Notes to be prepaid (but, in the case of partial prepayment, not less than $1,000,000), together with interest accrued on such amount to be prepaid to the date of prepayment, plus any applicable prepayment compensation amount and, if any holder of the Notes has entered into a cross-currency swap agreement in respect of the Note held by such holder, certain losses (if any) incurred by such holder under such cross-currency swap agreement as a result of such prepayment.

 

The foregoing description of the Note Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Note Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed as exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The disclosure provided in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Note Purchase Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

 


Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits:

 

10.1#*

Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 19, 2026, among Woodward, Inc. and the purchasers party thereto

104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

# Certain portions of this exhibit (indicated by “[***]”) have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K as the Company has determined they (1) are not material and (2) are the type that the Company treats as private or confidential. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any omitted portion to the SEC upon request.

 

* Schedules or exhibits omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

WOODWARD, INC.

 

 

/s/ Karrie M. Bem

 

Karrie M. Bem

 

Executive Vice President, General Counsel,

Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

Date: August 21, 2026

 

 


Filing Exhibits & Attachments

2 documents