AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Trading Up 1.8% – Here’s Why

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)’s stock price shot up 1.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $174.79 and last traded at $171.12. Approximately 1,039,667 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 37% from the average session volume of 1,643,212 shares. The stock had previously closed at $168.06.

AeroVironment News Summary

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on AVAV. 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. Wedbush assumed coverage on AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $250.00 price target on the stock. KeyCorp reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Wall Street Zen raised AeroVironment from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, July 5th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded AeroVironment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $266.68.

AeroVironment Trading Up 9.1%

The stock has a market capitalization of $9.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -50.74, a PEG ratio of 5.82 and a beta of 1.41. The company’s 50 day moving average is $163.19 and its 200 day moving average is $199.96. 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 (NASDAQ:AVAV) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping 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 company had revenue of $641.62 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $555.97 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.61 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total transaction of $43,602.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 49,001 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,546,264.41. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of AeroVironment

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AVAV. Legacy Bridge LLC grew its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC now owns 4,046 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $979,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of AeroVironment by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 3,709 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $897,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the last quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 1,081 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $261,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 29.7% during the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 188 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 10.5% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 495 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $120,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment Company Profile

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.