AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Sets New 12-Month Low Following Analyst Downgrade

Shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Tuesday after BTIG Research lowered their price target on the stock from $330.00 to $205.00. BTIG Research currently has a buy rating on the stock. AeroVironment traded as low as $148.27 and last traded at $151.3350, with a volume of 17455 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $151.33.

Several other analysts have also recently weighed in on AVAV. Zacks Research raised AeroVironment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AeroVironment from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, June 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday, June 8th. Clear Str upgraded AeroVironment to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised shares of AeroVironment from an “underperform” rating to a “market perform” rating in a research report on Monday, March 23rd. Two equities 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 issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $311.83.

Insider Buying and Selling at AeroVironment

In other AeroVironment news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total transaction of $43,602.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 49,001 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,546,264.41. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 750 shares of company stock worth $133,502. 0.81% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Key Headlines Impacting AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: BTIG Research cut its price target on AeroVironment to $205 from $330, but maintained a Buy rating, signaling continued confidence in the stock’s longer-term potential despite the reset in expectations. Article Title
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are looking ahead to AeroVironment’s Q4 earnings report on June 29, with analysts expecting about $1.47 in EPS and $559.1 million in revenue; the report could be a major catalyst if results or guidance surprise. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: The stock fell after news that U.S.-Iran peace talks and new Chinese export curbs are pressuring defense names, which can weigh on sentiment for AeroVironment and peers in the sector. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: Ongoing shareholder lawsuits and lead-plaintiff deadline reminders are adding legal overhang, with multiple firms encouraging investors to join securities fraud litigation tied to alleged misstatements, including claims related to the company’s SCAR contract. Article Title
• Negative Sentiment: AeroVironment also disclosed that its Q1 loss from operations was understated by $89 million, which raises accounting and disclosure concerns and likely contributed to the stock’s recent weakness. Article Title

Institutional Trading of AeroVironment

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AVAV. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in shares of AeroVironment in the first quarter worth about $225,000. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. bought a new position in AeroVironment during the second quarter valued at approximately $285,000. American Century Companies Inc. purchased a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $633,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in AeroVironment by 5,200.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 159 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in AeroVironment by 0.4% in the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 24,188 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $6,892,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment Trading Down 1.5%

The firm has a market cap of $7.44 billion, a P/E ratio of -34.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 1.35. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $181.94 and a 200-day simple moving average of $230.11. The company has a current ratio of 5.51, a quick ratio of 4.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

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.