AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) Stock Rated “Moderate Buy” by Sell-Side Analysts

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-six research firms that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have given a hold recommendation, eighteen have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $228.80.

A number of brokerages have commented on AVAV. Wall Street Zen upgraded AeroVironment from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, July 5th. BTIG Research reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $205.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Barclays initiated coverage on AeroVironment in a research note on Friday. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $237.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $225.00 to $185.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 11th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $315.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th.

AeroVironment Price Performance

AeroVironment stock opened at $137.11 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 3.33, a current ratio of 4.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $156.96 and its 200 day simple moving average is $167.90. AeroVironment has a 52 week low of $134.25 and a 52 week high of $411.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.97 billion, a PE ratio of -58.59, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.36.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, September 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $480.49 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $451.95 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 5.77% and a positive return on equity of 4.04%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.32 earnings per share. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that AeroVironment will post 3.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total value of $41,381.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,592,271.68. This represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $152.27, for a total value of $38,067.50. Following the transaction, the director owned 48,253 shares in the company, valued at $7,347,484.31. This trade represents a 0.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders have sold 805 shares of company stock worth $142,671. Corporate insiders own 0.79% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in AeroVironment in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the first quarter valued at about $28,000. MidFirst Bank acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the fourth quarter valued at about $40,000. Finally, MCF Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of AeroVironment by 195.0% during the fourth quarter. MCF Advisors LLC now owns 177 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $43,000 after acquiring an additional 117 shares during the last quarter. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Barclays initiated coverage with an “equal weight” rating and a $237 price target, implying considerable upside from recent levels. The neutral rating suggests Barclays sees meaningful potential but also material risks. Barclays coverage report
• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment’s VideoRay subsidiary was selected for a U.S. Navy mine-countermeasure prototype program. The award expands the company’s presence in naval defense and could support future production opportunities. AeroVironment’s VideoRay selected for US Navy mine countermeasure prototype program
• Positive Sentiment: The company received a $464.8 million U.S. Army production contract for its Enduring High Energy Laser program. This is AeroVironment’s first major U.S. military laser production award and broadens its revenue base beyond unmanned aircraft. AeroVironment Lands $464.8 Million Directed Energy Contract
• Positive Sentiment: LOCUST laser growth prospects improved after AeroVironment secured its first international order, valued at more than $50 million. The deal demonstrates potential demand outside the U.S. defense market. Can LOCUST Lasers Power the Next Leg of AeroVironment Growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: Reports describe record revenue and backlog as autonomous systems gain momentum, but investors remain focused on whether AeroVironment can scale those programs profitably. Can AeroVironment Scale Autonomous Systems to Drive Growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: A reported short-interest figure of zero shares and a zero-day days-to-cover ratio appears inconsistent with the description of a large increase, limiting its usefulness as a trading signal.
• Negative Sentiment: AVAV declined alongside the broader equity market as higher Treasury yields and rising oil prices increased risk aversion ahead of Federal Reserve meeting minutes. Its steep 12-month decline has also revived debate over valuation and future cash generation. AeroVironment Pullback Following Market Selloff Puts Valuation Debate Back In Focus

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc is a defense technology company that develops and supplies autonomous systems, uncrewed aircraft, loitering munitions and counter-uncrewed-aircraft systems. Its portfolio includes small unmanned aircraft systems such as Raven, Puma and Wasp, as well as larger platforms including JUMP 20 and Quantix Recon.

The company is also known for its Switchblade family of loitering munitions, which combine surveillance, target identification and precision strike capabilities. AeroVironment provides related ground control systems, sensors, software, communications equipment, training and support services for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Founded in 1971 by aerospace engineer Paul B.