AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Shares Down 1.6% – What’s Next?

Shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) were down 1.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $193.68 and last traded at $195.91. Approximately 1,015,650 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 47% from the average daily volume of 1,923,392 shares. The stock had previously closed at $199.02.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $390.00 to $305.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. BTIG Research lowered their price objective on shares of AeroVironment from $415.00 to $330.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $320.00 price objective on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $389.00 to $315.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on AeroVironment from $259.00 to $236.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $318.78.

AeroVironment Trading Down 5.9%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 4.54 and a current ratio of 5.51. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.21 billion, a PE ratio of -42.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 1.26. The business’s 50-day moving average is $251.20 and its two-hundred day moving average is $289.44.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, March 10th. The aerospace company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.68 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $408.05 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $487.94 million. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.26% and a negative net margin of 13.93%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 143.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.30 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.750-3.100 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at AeroVironment

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.52, for a total value of $53,130.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 49,751 shares in the company, valued at $10,573,082.52. This trade represents a 0.50% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 200 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.52, for a total value of $42,504.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 5,794 shares in the company, valued at $1,231,340.88. This represents a 3.34% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 4,924 shares of company stock worth $1,486,038 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of AeroVironment

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC raised its position in AeroVironment by 60.0% in the third quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 30 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC grew its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 7.8% during the 3rd quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 498 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $157,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares during the period. Legacy Bridge LLC grew its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 1.0% during the 4th quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC now owns 4,046 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $979,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares during the period. NewEdge Wealth LLC increased its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 3,709 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $897,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 1,081 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $261,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.