AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty-four ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $266.6842.

A number of brokerages recently weighed in on AVAV. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price objective on AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Clear Str raised shares of AeroVironment to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Citizens Jmp lowered their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $350.00 to $230.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler cut their price objective on shares of AeroVironment from $248.00 to $235.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 9th.

Key AeroVironment News

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: International expansion: AeroVironment announced plans to establish an industrial presence in Greece through AV Eagle, a joint venture with Eyeonix SA. The venture has received Foreign Direct Investment approval and builds on more than a decade of cooperation, potentially strengthening AVAV’s European defense footprint and access to regional opportunities. AeroVironment to Establish Industrial Presence in Greece Through AV Eagle
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Clear Street initiated or reiterated a “Buy” view on AVAV, adding to generally favorable analyst sentiment. The company’s latest quarter also showed strong momentum, with revenue up 133.3% year over year and earnings exceeding consensus estimates. AeroVironment Gets a Buy from Clear Street
• Neutral Sentiment: Propulsion growth opportunity: AeroVironment is expanding propulsion capabilities across electric, hybrid and unmanned aircraft technologies. The work could support future aviation applications, but the article does not identify a specific contract or near-term financial impact. Can AeroVironment’s Propulsion Capabilities Support Future Growth?
• Negative Sentiment: Legal overhang: Berger Montague and Grabar Law Office announced shareholder investigations into whether AeroVironment’s board adequately disclosed potential competition for SCAR program work. The investigations could increase litigation, disclosure and reputational risks, although no wrongdoing has been established. Berger Montague Investigation of AeroVironment Grabar Law Office Investigation
• Negative Sentiment: Insider selling: Director Stephen Page sold 250 shares worth approximately $48,000. The transaction represented only 0.51% of his holdings and was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan, limiting its significance but still adding modest negative sentiment. AeroVironment Director Sells 250 Shares

Insider Activity at AeroVironment

In other AeroVironment news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value of $47,995.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 48,503 shares in the company, valued at $9,311,605.94. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total transaction of $41,381.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at $1,592,271.68. This represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979. 0.81% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in AeroVironment in the second quarter worth about $574,566,000. American Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the second quarter valued at about $69,745,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $67,549,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in AeroVironment in the 4th quarter worth approximately $94,655,000. Finally, Korea Investment CORP acquired a new stake in AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $54,901,000. 86.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AeroVironment Price Performance

NASDAQ AVAV opened at $159.79 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $8.12 billion, a PE ratio of -43.42, a P/E/G ratio of 5.87 and a beta of 1.41. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $162.01 and its 200-day moving average price is $190.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 3.59 and a current ratio of 4.30. AeroVironment has a 52-week low of $135.20 and a 52-week high of $417.86.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $641.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a positive return on equity of 3.71%. AeroVironment’s revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.61 earnings per share. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that AeroVironment will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc (NASDAQ:AVAV) is a technology company specializing in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), tactical missiles and precision loitering munitions, electric vehicle charging and scalable energy systems. Headquartered in Monrovia, California, the company develops solutions for defense, public safety and commercial markets. Their offerings include small UAS for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as advanced weapons systems designed to meet the needs of modern military operations.

The company’s unmanned aerial systems portfolio features platforms such as the Raven, Puma and Switchblade series, which are deployed by the U.S.