AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-four research firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation, eighteen have assigned a buy recommendation and two have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $266.6842.

Several equities analysts have commented on AVAV shares. KeyCorp restated an “overweight” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Clear Str raised AeroVironment to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a “buy” rating and set a $225.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Thursday, July 9th.

AeroVironment Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of AVAV stock opened at $160.22 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 3.59 and a current ratio of 4.30. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.14 billion, a P/E ratio of -43.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.45 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $161.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $190.56. AeroVironment has a fifty-two week low of $135.20 and a fifty-two week high of $417.86.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last announced its earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.37. The firm had revenue of $641.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a positive return on equity of 3.71%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that AeroVironment will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Key Stories Impacting AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: New U.S. drone tariffs could benefit AVAV. President Trump’s August 13 proclamation imposes broad tariffs on foreign drone imports, potentially steering demand toward U.S. manufacturers such as AeroVironment and supporting domestic pricing, production and market share. Trump’s New Drone Tariffs Give AeroVironment, Kratos and Red Cat a Policy Tailwind
• Positive Sentiment: Greek joint venture expands AeroVironment’s European footprint. AV Eagle, formed with Eyeonix SA, will establish localized production and technology capabilities in Greece after receiving foreign-investment approval. The venture could improve access to European defense programs, strengthen supply-chain resilience and position AVAV to participate in the region’s growing counter-drone market. AeroVironment to Establish Industrial Presence in Greece Through AV Eagle
• Positive Sentiment: Propulsion investments support longer-term growth. AeroVironment is expanding electric, hybrid and unmanned-aircraft propulsion capabilities, potentially broadening its addressable markets beyond current defense platforms. Clear Street also initiated coverage with a Buy rating, adding to generally favorable analyst sentiment. Can AeroVironment’s Propulsion Capabilities Support Future Growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent operating momentum remains strong, but valuation is demanding. The latest reported quarter included $641.6 million in revenue, up 133.3% year over year, and EPS of $1.84 versus a $1.47 consensus estimate. However, AVAV remains unprofitable on a trailing basis, trades below its 200-day moving average and carries a high PEG ratio, leaving the stock sensitive to execution and future-growth expectations.
• Negative Sentiment: Shareholder-law-firm investigations add headline risk. Berger Montague and Grabar Law Office are investigating whether AeroVironment’s board properly disclosed potential competition for U.S. Space Force SCAR program work. The claims are allegations, but any litigation, disclosure findings or related costs could pressure investor confidence. Berger Montague investigates AeroVironment’s board
• Negative Sentiment: A director’s stock sale is a minor cautionary signal. Director Stephen Page sold 250 shares worth approximately $48,000 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. Because the sale was small relative to his remaining holdings and scheduled in advance, its direct impact is likely limited.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total value of $41,381.30. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total value of $43,602.50. Following the transaction, 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. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $574,566,000. American Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter valued at $69,745,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth $67,549,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 4th quarter worth $94,655,000. Finally, Korea Investment CORP acquired a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the second quarter worth $54,901,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

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.