AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV – Free Report) had its price target trimmed by Robert W. Baird from $350.00 to $260.00 in a report released on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the aerospace company’s stock.
Other analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group set a $400.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $335.00 to $315.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $320.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings lowered AeroVironment from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d)” rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price objective on AeroVironment from $486.00 to $429.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, December 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AeroVironment has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $348.33.
View Our Latest Report on AVAV
AeroVironment Stock Performance
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, December 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.87 by ($0.43). The firm had revenue of $472.51 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $466.16 million. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.42% and a negative net margin of 5.08%.The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 150.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.47 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.400-3.550 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that AeroVironment will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 1,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated 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 sale, the director owned 51,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,258,997.62. This represents a 1.92% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Kevin Patrick Mcdonnell sold 999 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 17,301 shares in the company, valued at $6,359,847.60. The trade was a 5.46% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 4,589 shares of company stock valued at $1,428,910 over the last three months. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On AeroVironment
A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of AeroVironment by 1.5% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,530,073 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $1,111,585,000 after purchasing an additional 51,959 shares during the period. Groupama Asset Managment acquired a new position in AeroVironment in the 3rd quarter valued at $314,890,000. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 8.8% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 884,395 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $213,956,000 after acquiring an additional 71,903 shares during the period. Heard Capital LLC raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 48.4% in the 4th quarter. Heard Capital LLC now owns 722,150 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $174,681,000 after acquiring an additional 235,685 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its position in AeroVironment by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 686,273 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $216,101,000 after acquiring an additional 101,713 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 86.38% of the company’s stock.
More AeroVironment News
Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:
- Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment won a new $97.4 million U.S. Army contract, which supports near‑term revenue visibility and reinforces defense-demand momentum. AeroVironment Bags $97.4 Million Army Contract As Defense Spending Momentum Builds
- Positive Sentiment: Management announced a ~ $30 million domestic manufacturing expansion (Albuquerque) to scale production — a positive signal that the company expects sustained, higher-volume orders. AeroVironment (AVAV) Rebounds 9.6% on Manufacturing Expansion
- Positive Sentiment: Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating (high target retained), offering analyst support that can limit downside from headline volatility. Jefferies Reiterates “Buy” Rating for AeroVironment
- Positive Sentiment: Company-provided updates on the Space Force SCAR work briefly lifted sentiment by suggesting the situation may be resolvable rather than a lost program. AeroVironment shares rise on update for Space Force SCAR contract
- Neutral Sentiment: AVAV will present at the J.P. Morgan Industrials Conference (March 18) — an opportunity for management to clarify guidance and contract progress (near‑term informational event). AeroVironment, Inc. to Present at J.P. Morgan 2026 Industrials Conference
- Neutral Sentiment: Several analysts trimmed price targets (RBC, Piper, Canaccord, Baird) but many kept buy/outperform views — signaling disagreement on near‑term execution risk vs. long‑term demand. Canaccord Slashes AeroVironment Target From $400 to $330 but Holds Buy
- Negative Sentiment: Raymond James downgraded AVAV to Underperform and commentary about the SCAR re‑competition triggered a sharp selloff earlier in the week — this downgrade is a primary driver of today’s weakness. AeroVironment shares dive after Raymond James downgrade
- Negative Sentiment: The U.S. Space Force reopened/rea llocated bidding on the ~ $1.4B SCAR program, creating execution and revenue timing uncertainty around AeroVironment’s largest recorded contract — the principal near‑term risk. AeroVironment Faces SCAR Contract Test While New Orders Support Outlook
- Negative Sentiment: Insider selling (director sold 250 shares) and a spate of analyst target cuts add to sentiment pressure even as institution ownership remains high. SEC Form 4 – Insider Sale
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.
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