Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $34.50.

Several analysts recently weighed in on AVNW shares. Citizens Jmp reissued a “market outperform” rating and issued a $30.00 price objective on shares of Aviat Networks in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. B. Riley Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $36.00 target price (up from $35.00) on shares of Aviat Networks in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Aviat Networks in a report on Monday, December 29th. Zacks Research upgraded Aviat Networks from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised Aviat Networks from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, March 14th.

Insider Activity at Aviat Networks

In related news, CEO Pete A. Smith sold 17,086 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.33, for a total value of $449,874.38. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 358,747 shares in the company, valued at $9,445,808.51. This represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Gary Croke sold 6,914 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.20, for a total transaction of $181,146.80. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 43,868 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,149,341.60. This represents a 13.62% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 5.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aviat Networks

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Comerica Bank lifted its holdings in Aviat Networks by 40.2% in the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 2,720 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $52,000 after buying an additional 780 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets raised its position in shares of Aviat Networks by 96.5% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 2,281 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $52,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Aviat Networks by 6.7% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 18,341 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $441,000 after acquiring an additional 1,148 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Aviat Networks in the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Aviat Networks during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.62% of the company’s stock.

Aviat Networks Stock Down 4.6%

NASDAQ:AVNW opened at $23.75 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $24.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $23.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.56. Aviat Networks has a one year low of $15.80 and a one year high of $27.02. The company has a market cap of $306.42 million, a PE ratio of 21.21 and a beta of 0.84.

Aviat Networks (NASDAQ:AVNW) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The communications equipment provider reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $111.47 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $109.67 million. Aviat Networks had a net margin of 3.27% and a return on equity of 10.71%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Aviat Networks will post 0.5 earnings per share for the current year.

Aviat Networks Company Profile

Aviat Networks, Inc is a specialist in wireless transport solutions, designing, manufacturing and selling microwave networking products that enable the secure and reliable transmission of data, voice and video. The company’s offerings address mission-critical communications needs for a broad range of end markets, including telecommunications service providers, utilities, government agencies and enterprises. Its product portfolio spans high-capacity packet microwave radios, IP transport systems and network management software.

Aviat’s core product lines include the WTM series of packet microwave platforms, which deliver scalable throughput and advanced resilience features, and the Eclipse packet microwave systems, which combine broadband capacity with synchronization, security and quality-of-service capabilities.