AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Issues FY 2027 Earnings Guidance

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) issued an update on its FY 2027 earnings guidance on Wednesday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 3.020-3.340 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 3.210. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.1 billion-$2.2 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.2 billion.

AeroVironment Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AVAV traded down $7.98 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $140.80. 4,609,772 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,617,406. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $159.81 and a 200 day moving average of $180.82. The company has a market cap of $7.16 billion, a PE ratio of -38.26, a P/E/G ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 4.30 and a quick ratio of 3.59. AeroVironment has a 52-week low of $135.20 and a 52-week high of $417.86.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, September 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.37. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.71% and a negative net margin of 9.00%.AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that AeroVironment will post 3.2 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their price objective on shares of AeroVironment from $280.00 to $240.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 10th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Friday. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $225.00 target price on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded AeroVironment from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, July 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $262.74.

Insider Activity

In other news, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total transaction of $41,381.30. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,592,271.68. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Stephen Page sold 250 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value of $47,995.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 48,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,311,605.94. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. 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 90 days, insiders have sold 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979. Company insiders own 0.79% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment reportedly secured its first international order for the LOCUST counter-drone laser system. The deal expands the company’s international customer base and supports the long-term growth case for its directed-energy and counter-UAS products. AeroVironment Nabs First International Order For LOCUST Counter-Drone Laser System
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street is focused on tonight’s earnings release, with consensus first-quarter EPS estimated at approximately $0.25, or about 22% below the year-earlier result. Investors will look for revenue growth, order momentum and management’s comments on the full-year outlook. What Wall Street Expects from Earnings Today
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts have reduced their estimates 11 times over the past 90 days, while reports say AeroVironment has missed expectations in three consecutive quarters. This has raised the risk that another disappointment or weaker guidance could further damage investor confidence. Stock Faces Earnings Test Amid Declining Analyst Expectations
• Negative Sentiment: Drone stocks broadly sold off without a clear company-specific catalyst as investors rotated away from riskier, high-beta names. AeroVironment’s roughly 41% year-to-date decline and elevated earnings uncertainty made it particularly vulnerable to the risk-off trading. Drone Stocks Slide as Risk-Off Sentiment Hits High-Beta Names
• Negative Sentiment: Berger Montague announced an investigation into AeroVironment’s board over potential breaches of fiduciary duty. The inquiry is at an early stage, but it adds legal and governance overhang ahead of the earnings report. Berger Montague Board Investigation

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AeroVironment

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its position in AeroVironment by 230.3% during the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 109 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares during the period. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the third quarter valued at approximately $44,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 5,200.0% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 159 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position in shares of AeroVironment by 29.7% in the 4th quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 188 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.