Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc. grew its holdings in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV – Free Report) by 37.9% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 56,811 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after acquiring an additional 15,606 shares during the quarter. Pekin Hardy Strauss Inc.’s holdings in AeroVironment were worth $8,080,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in AeroVironment during the second quarter worth $574,566,000. American Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter valued at $69,745,000. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter valued at $67,549,000. Korea Investment CORP bought a new stake in AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter valued at $54,901,000. Finally, Atreides Management LP bought a new stake in AeroVironment in the 1st quarter valued at $29,595,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Citigroup restated a “market outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 price objective on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of AeroVironment from a “sell (d)” rating to a “sell (d-)” rating in a research report on Friday, September 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $285.00 target price on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Thursday, September 17th. Finally, Oppenheimer assumed coverage on AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, October 22nd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $205.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have assigned a Buy rating, five have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $223.86.
Get Our Latest Analysis on AVAV
AeroVironment Stock Performance
Shares of NASDAQ AVAV opened at $102.08 on Friday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $138.33 and a 200 day simple moving average of $182.04. The company has a current ratio of 4.26, a quick ratio of 3.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -43.62, a PEG ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.42. AeroVironment, Inc. has a one year low of $101.07 and a one year high of $408.25.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, September 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.59 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.37. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 4.04% and a negative net margin of 5.77%. The firm had revenue of $480.49 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $451.95 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.32 earnings per share. AeroVironment’s quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current year.
Insider Buying and Selling at AeroVironment
In other news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.27, for a total transaction of $38,067.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 48,253 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,347,484.31. This trade represents a 0.52% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal 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. Also, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total transaction of $41,381.30. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,592,271.68. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 805 shares of company stock worth $142,671 in the last three months. Insiders own 0.79% of the company’s stock.
Key AeroVironment News
Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Heard Capital increased its AeroVironment position by 25% in the quarter ended June 30, according to its latest 13F filing. The disclosed purchase may support sentiment, though it reflects an earlier investment period. A $2.4 Billion Fund Bought These 3 Stocks
- Neutral Sentiment: A market forecast through 2035 identifies AeroVironment among companies positioned to benefit from growth in UAV payloads and subsystems, including demand for AI, radar and flight-control systems. This is a broad industry outlook, not a company-specific contract announcement. Global UAV Payload and Subsystems Market Forecast to 2035
- Neutral Sentiment: AeroVironment amended its revolving credit facility. The report provides limited detail on the amendment’s terms, so the effect on the company’s financial flexibility is unclear. AeroVironment Expands Revolving Credit Facility Through Amendment
- Negative Sentiment: One valuation analysis says AVAV could be about 19% overvalued after the U.S. Space Force halted work on a BlueHalo-related contract worth roughly $1.7 billion and reopened bidding to other suppliers. The uncertainty may weigh on expectations for contract opportunities and valuation. AeroVironment Could Be 19% Overvalued After Contract Bid Reopened
- Negative Sentiment: Recent commentary cites defense-funding risks as analysts reassess AVAV’s fair value. A separate valuation piece argues the stock may still be expensive despite its steep decline, keeping pressure on investor expectations. AeroVironment Fair Value Edges Lower AeroVironment Stock May Be Expensive
- Negative Sentiment: KeyCorp cut its price target on AeroVironment, adding to concerns about near-term upside. AeroVironment Stock Price Target Cut by KeyCorp
About AeroVironment
AeroVironment, Inc is a defense technology company that develops and supplies uncrewed aircraft systems, loitering munitions, counter-uncrewed-aircraft systems, space systems and related autonomous technologies. Its products are designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, precision strike, tactical communications and other defense and security missions.
The company’s portfolio includes the Raven, Puma and Quantix unmanned aircraft systems; the JUMP 20 vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft; and the Switchblade family of loitering munitions.
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