Retirement Systems of Alabama Acquires New Holdings in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Retirement Systems of Alabama bought a new position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 38,465 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,112,000. Retirement Systems of Alabama owned about 0.08% of AeroVironment as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AVAV. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 14.3% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,478,114 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $991,089,000 after buying an additional 433,830 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth $75,690,000. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in AeroVironment by 75.6% during the second quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 609,019 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $173,540,000 after acquiring an additional 262,239 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its position in shares of AeroVironment by 550.7% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 178,204 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $56,115,000 after purchasing an additional 150,819 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of AeroVironment by 54.0% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 398,772 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $113,630,000 after purchasing an additional 139,880 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, January 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $377.62, for a total transaction of $377,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 51,001 shares in the company, valued at $19,258,997.62. This trade represents a 1.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO Kevin Patrick Mcdonnell sold 999 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $367.60, for a total value of $367,232.40. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 17,301 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,359,847.60. This represents a 5.46% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 3,223 shares of company stock worth $1,092,503 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of AVAV stock opened at $306.94 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $15.33 billion, a P/E ratio of -245.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.58 and a beta of 1.16. AeroVironment, Inc. has a one year low of $102.25 and a one year high of $417.86. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $288.23 and a 200 day moving average price of $294.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 5.08 and a quick ratio of 4.29.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.43). The business had revenue of $472.51 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $466.16 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 5.08% and a positive return on equity of 3.42%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 150.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.47 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.400-3.550 EPS. Analysts predict that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

More AeroVironment News

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UES (an AV division) won a $75M U.S. Air Force task order to advance biotechnology and smart materials under the FRESH program — a meaningful government award that supports near-term revenue and R&D collaboration. AV’s UES Awarded $75 Million Task Order
• Positive Sentiment: AV and CAL Analytics launched an operational BVLOS airspace management facility with the U.S. Air Force and Ohio DOT — broadens product portfolio and supports commercialization of autonomous airspace tools. AV and CAL Analytics Launch Operational BVLOS Airspace Management Facility
• Positive Sentiment: BTIG reiterated its Buy rating and broker consensus remains around “Moderate Buy,” which offers analyst support for the shares despite recent volatility. BTIG Research Reiterates Buy Rating for AeroVironment
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage notes a consensus “Moderate Buy” from brokerages — a signal that analysts broadly see upside over the medium term. AeroVironment Given Consensus Recommendation of Moderate Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Commentary points to geopolitical tensions as tailwinds for defense spending, which could benefit AVAV demand over time. AeroVironment Gains Tailwinds as Geopolitical Tensions Drive Defense Investment
• Positive Sentiment: Management will present at TD Cowen’s Aerospace & Defense conference (February), offering a near-term investor event for model/guide clarity. AV, Inc. to Present at TD Cowen’s Conference
• Neutral Sentiment: A valuation-focused piece examines recent price swings — useful for investors reassessing risk/reward but not immediate news. A Closer Look At AeroVironment Valuation
• Neutral Sentiment: Short-interest data in recent reports shows anomalous/zero values (likely a reporting error); no clear evidence of a rising short squeeze risk from this data. (Market data entry)
• Negative Sentiment: Some traders sold on the $75M award; Benzinga noted the stock fell on the contract news, suggesting the market may have expected a larger, more strategic win or was disappointed by other signals. What’s Going On With AeroVironment Stock?
• Negative Sentiment: A recent analysis says AVAV was hit last week by a Space Force-related setback and the stock had been priced for near‑perfect execution, so any program surprises have amplified downside. Why Shares of AeroVironment Got Crushed Last Week

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on AVAV. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on AeroVironment in a research note on Tuesday, November 18th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $355.00 target price for the company. Citigroup reissued a “market outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday, January 12th. New Street Research set a $365.00 price objective on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $295.00 to $389.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 2nd. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of AeroVironment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, December 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AeroVironment currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $378.06.

About AeroVironment

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.