Projected Target Price for SAWS Analyst: $23
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Oct 22 2025
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
ETF Performance Overview: The AAM Sawgrass US Small Cap Quality Growth ETF (SAWS) has an implied analyst target price of $23.37 per unit, indicating an 11.03% upside from its recent trading price of $21.05.
Key Holdings with Upside Potential: Notable underlying holdings of SAWS include Willdan Group Inc (WLDN), StoneX Group Inc (SNEX), and Esquire Financial Holdings Inc (ESQ), with potential upsides of 36.58%, 15.18%, and 13.03% respectively based on analyst target prices.
Investor Considerations: The article raises questions about whether analysts' target prices are justified or overly optimistic, suggesting that high target prices could lead to downgrades if they are not aligned with current market conditions.
Research Implications: Investors are encouraged to conduct further research to assess the validity of analyst targets in light of recent developments in the companies and their respective industries.
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Analyst Views on WLDN
Wall Street analysts forecast WLDN stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 97.480
Low
125.00
Averages
135.00
High
145.00
Current: 97.480
Low
125.00
Averages
135.00
High
145.00
About WLDN
Willdan Group, Inc. is a technical services company focused on energy and infrastructure solutions. The Company’s segments include Energy and Engineering and Consulting. Its Energy segment addresses power grid resiliency, efficiency, and reliability. Services include in-depth energy planning studies, economic analysis, modeling and forecasting software, decarbonization, program design and implementation, energy efficiency, turnkey energy and infrastructure projects, grid modernization, and utility-scale electrical engineering and construction management. Its Engineering & Consulting segment addresses sustainability and growth in civil infrastructure. It often serves as a municipality's engineering department. Services include municipal and civil engineering, building and safety, code enforcement, fire plan and inspection, city engineering, construction management, design engineering, planning, and financial and municipal advisory services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Willdan Group CEO Sells Shares for $5.2 Million Profit
- Transaction Overview: Willdan Group's CEO Michael A. Bieber exercised 56,676 stock options on May 14, 2026, and sold them immediately for approximately $5.2 million, indicating confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Holding Proportion Change: This transaction represented 18.51% of Bieber's direct holdings, reflecting his proactive decision-making regarding soon-to-expire options and showcasing his market timing acumen.
- Company Financial Status: Willdan has achieved steady revenue growth over the past decade, and while early net income was poor, a recent profitability inflection and rising electricity demand have opened new investment opportunities for the company.
- Market Competition Risks: Despite Willdan's leading position in the energy and engineering services market, it faces competitive pressure from larger engineering firms, particularly AECOM, which could impact its market share, prompting investors to watch its future performance closely.
See More
Willdan Group CEO Exercises Stock Options and Sells Shares
- Stock Option Exercise: Willdan Group's CEO Michael A. Bieber exercised 56,676 stock options and immediately sold the shares for approximately $5.2 million, indicating his confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Direct Ownership Change: Following the transaction, Bieber's direct shareholding decreased by 18.51%, from about 306,000 shares to 249,525 shares, leaving a post-transaction value of approximately $22.9 million, reflecting his significant ongoing investment in the company.
- Market Reaction Analysis: The sale was not driven by a bearish sentiment but rather due to the impending expiration of options from 2017 and 2018, highlighting a trading strategy closely tied to the company's improving profitability.
- Industry Competition Risks: While Willdan excels in energy efficiency and engineering consulting, it faces competitive pressures from larger engineering firms, necessitating investor vigilance regarding its sustained competitiveness and profitability stability.
See More
Bard Associates Reduces Stake in Willdan Group
- Stake Reduction Details: According to a May 7, 2026 SEC filing, Bard Associates sold 73,167 shares of Willdan Group in Q1, with an estimated trade value of $7.74 million, indicating a $7.59 million decrease in the fund's position value due to both the sale and price fluctuations, highlighting market volatility's impact on its portfolio.
- Holding Proportion Change: Following the reduction, Bard Associates' stake in Willdan Group now represents less than 0.004% of its reportable U.S. equity AUM, suggesting that the investment is no longer a significant asset, which may influence future investment decisions.
- Willdan Performance Metrics: Willdan reported an 8.3% increase in net revenue to $92.4 million in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 25% to $18.1 million and net income surging 82% to $8.5 million, prompting management to raise its 2026 outlook to an adjusted EBITDA projection between $100 million and $105 million.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Despite Willdan's stock price rallying 85% over the past year, Bard's stake reduction appears to be a profit-taking move rather than a loss of confidence in the company's fundamentals, reflecting a cautious investor sentiment ahead of strong earnings releases that could influence short-term market dynamics.
See More
Bard Associates Sells Shares in Willdan Group
- Share Reduction Details: Bard Associates sold 73,167 shares of Willdan Group in Q1, with an estimated transaction value of $7.74 million, representing 1.94% of its reportable U.S. equity assets.
- Position Value Decline: This trade resulted in a $7.59 million decrease in Bard's quarter-end position value in Willdan, reflecting the combined effects of trading and price changes.
- Company Performance Growth: Willdan reported an 8.3% increase in net revenue to $92.4 million in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 25% to $18.1 million and net income surging 82% to $8.5 million, prompting management to raise its 2026 outlook.
- Market Demand Analysis: Willdan is benefiting from strong demand tied to grid modernization and energy efficiency upgrades, and despite an 85% stock rally over the past year, some investors opted to lock in gains, indicating confidence in its future performance.
See More
Willdan (WLDN) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Willdan Group (WLDN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Acquisition Impact: Willdan Group completed the acquisition of Burton Energy Group this week, with Burton generating approximately $103 million in contract revenue, $15 million in net revenue, and $7 million in EBITDA in 2025, which is expected to enhance Willdan's margins and EPS, further driving the company's expansion into the commercial sector.
- Strong Financial Performance: In Q1 2026, Willdan achieved a record adjusted EBITDA of $18.1 million, representing 19.6% of net revenue and a 44% increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating effective management in expense control and tax benefits.
- Raised Revenue Outlook: Based on a strong start, Willdan raised its 2026 net revenue guidance to between $410 million and $425 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be between $100 million and $105 million, reflecting the contribution from Burton and ongoing contract wins.
- Commercial Revenue Growth: Commercial revenue is projected to account for 25% of total revenue in 2026, a significant increase from 7% in 2024, showcasing Willdan's strategic transformation and expansion capabilities in the commercial market, thereby enhancing the company's growth potential.
See More
Willdan Group CEO Sells Shares for $5.2 Million Profit
- Transaction Overview: Willdan Group's CEO Michael A. Bieber exercised 56,676 stock options on May 14, 2026, and sold them immediately for approximately $5.2 million, indicating confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Holding Proportion Change: This transaction represented 18.51% of Bieber's direct holdings, reflecting his proactive decision-making regarding soon-to-expire options and showcasing his market timing acumen.
- Company Financial Status: Willdan has achieved steady revenue growth over the past decade, and while early net income was poor, a recent profitability inflection and rising electricity demand have opened new investment opportunities for the company.
- Market Competition Risks: Despite Willdan's leading position in the energy and engineering services market, it faces competitive pressure from larger engineering firms, particularly AECOM, which could impact its market share, prompting investors to watch its future performance closely.
See More
Willdan Group CEO Exercises Stock Options and Sells Shares
- Stock Option Exercise: Willdan Group's CEO Michael A. Bieber exercised 56,676 stock options and immediately sold the shares for approximately $5.2 million, indicating his confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Direct Ownership Change: Following the transaction, Bieber's direct shareholding decreased by 18.51%, from about 306,000 shares to 249,525 shares, leaving a post-transaction value of approximately $22.9 million, reflecting his significant ongoing investment in the company.
- Market Reaction Analysis: The sale was not driven by a bearish sentiment but rather due to the impending expiration of options from 2017 and 2018, highlighting a trading strategy closely tied to the company's improving profitability.
- Industry Competition Risks: While Willdan excels in energy efficiency and engineering consulting, it faces competitive pressures from larger engineering firms, necessitating investor vigilance regarding its sustained competitiveness and profitability stability.
See More
Bard Associates Reduces Stake in Willdan Group
- Stake Reduction Details: According to a May 7, 2026 SEC filing, Bard Associates sold 73,167 shares of Willdan Group in Q1, with an estimated trade value of $7.74 million, indicating a $7.59 million decrease in the fund's position value due to both the sale and price fluctuations, highlighting market volatility's impact on its portfolio.
- Holding Proportion Change: Following the reduction, Bard Associates' stake in Willdan Group now represents less than 0.004% of its reportable U.S. equity AUM, suggesting that the investment is no longer a significant asset, which may influence future investment decisions.
- Willdan Performance Metrics: Willdan reported an 8.3% increase in net revenue to $92.4 million in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 25% to $18.1 million and net income surging 82% to $8.5 million, prompting management to raise its 2026 outlook to an adjusted EBITDA projection between $100 million and $105 million.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Despite Willdan's stock price rallying 85% over the past year, Bard's stake reduction appears to be a profit-taking move rather than a loss of confidence in the company's fundamentals, reflecting a cautious investor sentiment ahead of strong earnings releases that could influence short-term market dynamics.
See More
Bard Associates Sells Shares in Willdan Group
- Share Reduction Details: Bard Associates sold 73,167 shares of Willdan Group in Q1, with an estimated transaction value of $7.74 million, representing 1.94% of its reportable U.S. equity assets.
- Position Value Decline: This trade resulted in a $7.59 million decrease in Bard's quarter-end position value in Willdan, reflecting the combined effects of trading and price changes.
- Company Performance Growth: Willdan reported an 8.3% increase in net revenue to $92.4 million in Q1, with adjusted EBITDA rising 25% to $18.1 million and net income surging 82% to $8.5 million, prompting management to raise its 2026 outlook.
- Market Demand Analysis: Willdan is benefiting from strong demand tied to grid modernization and energy efficiency upgrades, and despite an 85% stock rally over the past year, some investors opted to lock in gains, indicating confidence in its future performance.
See More
Willdan (WLDN) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Willdan Group (WLDN) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Highlights
- Acquisition Impact: Willdan Group completed the acquisition of Burton Energy Group this week, with Burton generating approximately $103 million in contract revenue, $15 million in net revenue, and $7 million in EBITDA in 2025, which is expected to enhance Willdan's margins and EPS, further driving the company's expansion into the commercial sector.
- Strong Financial Performance: In Q1 2026, Willdan achieved a record adjusted EBITDA of $18.1 million, representing 19.6% of net revenue and a 44% increase compared to the previous year, demonstrating effective management in expense control and tax benefits.
- Raised Revenue Outlook: Based on a strong start, Willdan raised its 2026 net revenue guidance to between $410 million and $425 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected to be between $100 million and $105 million, reflecting the contribution from Burton and ongoing contract wins.
- Commercial Revenue Growth: Commercial revenue is projected to account for 25% of total revenue in 2026, a significant increase from 7% in 2024, showcasing Willdan's strategic transformation and expansion capabilities in the commercial market, thereby enhancing the company's growth potential.
See More
