AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Trading 9.1% Higher – What’s Next?

Posted by Brenda Bartman on Aug 9th, 2026

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV – Get Free Report) shares shot up 9.1% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $187.50 and last traded at $186.73. 1,896,611 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 15% from the average daily volume of 1,645,168 shares. The stock had previously closed at $171.12.

Trending Headlines about AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

Positive Sentiment: The U.S. Army is expected to purchase at least $400 million of AeroVironment’s anti-drone laser systems, according to a person familiar with the matter. The reported order would represent the Pentagon’s first production purchase of a directed-energy counter-drone system beyond the prototype stage, potentially validating the technology and creating a meaningful new revenue opportunity. US Army to Spend $400 Million on AeroVironment Anti-Drone Lasers
Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is also focused on the potential for laser-based counter-drone weapons to move from testing into broader military deployment. Such an expansion could strengthen AeroVironment’s position in the growing counter-UAS market and support longer-term defense-contract momentum. AVAV Stock Jumps on Reported Army Deal
Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment appointed Michael D. Ruppert to its board. His more than 25 years of aerospace and defense financial, strategic and corporate-development experience—including his role as ManTech’s chief financial officer—could add relevant industry and governance expertise. AeroVironment Appoints Michael D. Ruppert to Board
Neutral Sentiment: A promotional investor article highlighted AeroVironment as a leading drone-industry company benefiting from rising military demand, autonomous systems, and increased defense budgets. The commentary supports the sector narrative but does not provide a new contract, financial forecast, or company-specific operating update. The Drone Supercycle Wall Street Still Hasn’t Priced In

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. BTIG Research reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $205.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Clear Str upgraded shares of AeroVironment to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. Wedbush began coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $248.00 to $235.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Citizens Jmp cut their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $350.00 to $230.00 and set a “market outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $266.68.

Get Our Latest Report on AeroVironment

AeroVironment Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $163.19 and a 200-day simple moving average of $199.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.45 billion, a PE ratio of -50.74, a PEG ratio of 6.35 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 4.30 and a quick ratio of 3.59.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.37. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a positive return on equity of 3.71%. The firm had revenue of $641.62 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $555.97 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% compared to the same quarter last year. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other AeroVironment news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total transaction of $43,602.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 49,001 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,546,264.41. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AeroVironment

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wealthfront Advisers LLC bought a new position in AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter worth $244,000. Timothy G. Youngquist 2020 Irrevocable Trust purchased a new position in AeroVironment during the second quarter valued at $1,466,000. Deepwater Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in AeroVironment during the second quarter valued at about $6,065,000. MidFirst Bank purchased a new stake in AeroVironment in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in AeroVironment in the second quarter worth about $574,566,000. Institutional investors own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.