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HXL vs WWD
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Hexcel Corporation (HXL) vs. Woodward, Inc. (WWD) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both HXL and WWD operate in the aerospace sector, benefiting from robust demand for commercial and defense applications in recent market activity.
- WWD has outperformed with 30.37% YTD (year-to-date) gains compared to HXL's 21.39%, alongside a stronger one-year return of 133.81% versus 73.68%.
- In the past 30 days, HXL rose approximately 12% from lows near $77, while WWD gained about 5.7% after peaking above $400.
- WWD boasts a larger market cap of $23.6B and recent analyst Outperform ratings, contrasting HXL's Hold consensus.
- Tickeron's AI robots highlight strong potential in industrials and aerospace, with top performers showing up to 121% annualized returns.
Introduction
Hexcel Corporation (HXL) and Woodward, Inc. (WWD) are key players in the aerospace and defense industry, supplying critical materials and systems amid rising global demand for aircraft production and upgrades. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, business drivers, and market positioning, offering insights for traders seeking sector exposure and investors evaluating relative strength. With both stocks showing momentum in recent weeks driven by earnings beats and sector tailwinds, understanding their contrasts in scale, growth trajectories, and risk profiles is essential for informed decision-making in the current market environment.
HXL Overview and Recent Performance
Hexcel Corporation (HXL) specializes in advanced lightweight composites, including carbon fibers, resins, and honeycomb structures, primarily serving commercial aerospace, space, and defense markets. In recent market activity, HXL shares have displayed volatility but an overall upward trend, climbing about 12% over the past 30 days from a low near $77 to around $90, with a year-to-date gain of 21.39%. Key influences include a Q4 2025 EPS (earnings per share) beat of $0.52 versus estimates, a new $750 million revolving credit facility enhancing liquidity, and anticipation for Q1 2026 earnings. Sector demand for lightweight materials has supported sentiment, though elevated PE (price-to-earnings) ratio of 65.34 reflects growth expectations amid supply chain dynamics.
WWD Overview and Recent Performance
Woodward, Inc. (WWD) designs and manufactures control systems, fuel pumps, actuators, and electronics for aerospace, industrial, and defense applications. The stock has maintained strength in recent weeks, advancing roughly 5.7% over the past 30 days despite a mid-period dip, hitting a 52-week high above $400 before settling near $390, with YTD returns of 30.37%. Positive drivers encompass strong Q1 2026 results exceeding expectations, a new analyst Outperform rating with a $450 target, and strategic moves like divesting the pilot controls line. Robust aerospace OEM (original equipment manufacturer) demand and a PE ratio of 49.53 have bolstered investor confidence, though shares exhibit sensitivity to broader industrials volatility.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
HXL focuses on upstream composite materials, exposing it to raw material costs and long-cycle aerospace orders, while WWD emphasizes downstream integrated systems, benefiting from aftermarket services and broader industrial diversification. Growth drivers differ: HXL leverages commercial ramp-ups, but WWD gains from defense spending and acquisitions. Recent momentum favors WWD with superior YTD and multi-year returns, though HXL shows sharper short-term recovery. Risk factors include supply chain disruptions for both, with WWD's larger $23.6B market cap offering relative stability versus HXL's $6.8B. Market sentiment tilts toward WWD via fresh analyst upgrades, contrasting HXL's Hold ratings.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently leans toward WWD based on consistent trend strength, superior relative performance, recent earnings momentum, and positive analyst catalysts in the aerospace sector. Factors like higher YTD gains and strategic divestitures position it favorably, though HXL remains compelling for materials-focused plays with upcoming earnings potential. Probabilistic edge favors WWD in prevailing conditions.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is HXL is a StrongBuy and WWD is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
HXL’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileWWD’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- HXL’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- WWD’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
HXL’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WWD’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- HXL’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WWD’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
HXL (@Aerospace & Defense) experienced а +9.59% price change this week, while WWD (@Aerospace & Defense) price change was +8.14% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Aerospace & Defense industry was -0.74%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +14.35%, and the average quarterly price growth was +34.14%.
Reported Earning Dates
HXL is expected to report earnings on Jul 27, 2026.
WWD is expected to report earnings on Aug 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Aerospace & Defense (-0.74% weekly)Aerospace & Defense is one of largest industries in the U.S., mainly comprising the following areas: commercial airliners, military aircraft, missiles, space, and general aviation. Focused heavily on research & development, it is also one of the fastest growing industries. Military aircraft has the largest market share in the industry’s sales, followed by space systems, civil aircraft, and missiles. Aerospace exports, directly and indirectly, support more jobs than the export of any other commodity, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation and General Electric Company are some of the most prominent players in this space.
| HXL | WWD | HXL / WWD | |
| Capitalization | 7.44B | 24B | 31% |
| EBITDA | 309M | 784M | 39% |
| Gain YTD | 34.006 | 33.366 | 102% |
| P/E Ratio | 65.32 | 48.20 | 136% |
| Revenue | 1.94B | 4B | 48% |
| Total Cash | 54.1M | 501M | 11% |
| Total Debt | 998M | 1.14B | 87% |
HXL | WWD | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 15 | 20 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 58 Fair valued | 65 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 30 | 4 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 77 | 44 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 42 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 31 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
HXL's Valuation (58) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as WWD (65) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that HXL’s stock grew similarly to WWD’s over the last 12 months.
WWD's Profit vs Risk Rating (4) in the Industrial Machinery industry is in the same range as HXL (30) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that WWD’s stock grew similarly to HXL’s over the last 12 months.
WWD's SMR Rating (44) in the Industrial Machinery industry is somewhat better than the same rating for HXL (77) in the Aerospace And Defense industry. This means that WWD’s stock grew somewhat faster than HXL’s over the last 12 months.
HXL's Price Growth Rating (40) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as WWD (42) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that HXL’s stock grew similarly to WWD’s over the last 12 months.
HXL's P/E Growth Rating (14) in the Aerospace And Defense industry is in the same range as WWD (31) in the Industrial Machinery industry. This means that HXL’s stock grew similarly to WWD’s over the last 12 months.
| HXL | WWD | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 68% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 55% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 84% | 4 days ago 66% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 85% | 4 days ago 66% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 69% | 4 days ago 69% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 66% | 4 days ago 68% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 68% | 7 days ago 69% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 14 days ago 63% | 15 days ago 51% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 61% | 4 days ago 55% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 67% | 4 days ago 70% |
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HXL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, HXL has been loosely correlated with AIR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 53% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if HXL jumps, then AIR could also see price increases.
WWD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WWD has been loosely correlated with HWM. These tickers have moved in lockstep 58% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if WWD jumps, then HWM could also see price increases.