22,294 Shares in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV Acquired by Hsbc Holdings PLC

Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 22,294 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,615,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of AVAV. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the first quarter worth $25,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. purchased a new position in AeroVironment during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its position in AeroVironment by 90.0% during the fourth quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 133 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the period. Finally, MidFirst Bank acquired a new stake in AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AeroVironment News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment received a $51 million U.S. Army order for additional Switchblade 600 loitering munitions. The award reinforces demand for the company’s autonomous weapons systems and supports production expansion ahead of first-quarter earnings. AVAV Stock Rises Overnight: AeroVironment Pockets $51M Army Contract Ahead Of Q1 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory selected AeroVironment to co-design and co-manufacture three helicopters for the SkyFall Mars mission, potentially launching in 2028. The project broadens AVAV’s unmanned-systems expertise beyond defense and has moved into a formally funded science program. AeroVironment to co-manufacture helicopters for Mars with NASA
• Positive Sentiment: William Blair reiterated a Buy rating, citing strong loitering-munitions demand and the potential for an Army E-HEL laser contract to offset near-term revenue pressure. Analysts also point to AVAV’s multibillion-dollar backlog and international expansion as longer-term supports. Louie DiPalma Reiterates Buy on AeroVironment
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will present at the Jefferies Global Industrials Conference on September 10, giving investors a potential update on orders, production capacity and the outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Shares have declined from their 52-week peak and trade below both their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, signaling continued bearish momentum. Investors may also be concerned that AVAV’s high-growth outlook is already reflected in its valuation.
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity shows 11 sales and no purchases over six months, including sales by the CFO and other executives. That pattern can weigh on sentiment, although it does not necessarily indicate deteriorating business fundamentals.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. KeyCorp reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Wedbush began coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $225.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $266.68.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,592,271.68. This represents a 2.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed 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, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value of $47,995.00. Following the sale, the director owned 48,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,311,605.94. The trade was 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. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

AeroVironment Trading Down 2.9%

NASDAQ AVAV opened at $147.94 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.20, a PEG ratio of 5.05 and a beta of 1.41. 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, Inc. has a one year low of $135.20 and a one year high of $417.86. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $159.76 and its 200 day moving average price is $186.61.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.61 earnings per share. AeroVironment’s revenue for the quarter 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, sell-side analysts predict that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.25 EPS for the current year.

AeroVironment 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.