AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Shares Down 4.2% - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• AeroVironment's shares fell by 4.2% to $236.67 with a 50% decrease in trading volume compared to average levels, following a previous close of $247.13.
• Analysts have raised price targets for AeroVironment, with Jefferies increasing its target to $285.00 and Canaccord Genuity setting a target of $305.00, reflecting a strong overall consensus rating of "Buy."
• The company reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings of $1.61 per share, surpassing estimates, and achieved a 39.6% year-over-year revenue increase of $275.05 million.

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) was down 4.2% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $238.32 and last traded at $236.67. Approximately 411,866 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 50% from the average daily volume of 830,767 shares. The stock had previously closed at $247.13.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on AVAV shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $275.00 to $285.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Stifel Nicolaus assumed coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th. They set a "buy" rating and a $240.00 price target for the company. William Blair began coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Sunday, June 29th. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. Canaccord Genuity Group assumed coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday, August 11th. They set a "buy" rating and a $305.00 target price on the stock. Finally, JMP Securities reissued a "market outperform" rating and set a $325.00 price objective on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Monday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating and sixteen have issued a Buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $286.46.

AeroVironment Trading Down 5.2%

The firm has a market cap of $11.70 billion, a PE ratio of 151.17 and a beta of 0.99. The company's fifty day moving average price is $244.07 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $183.75. The company has a quick ratio of 2.69, a current ratio of 3.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 24th. The aerospace company reported $1.61 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.20. AeroVironment had a net margin of 5.32% and a return on equity of 10.68%. The business had revenue of $275.05 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $242.69 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.43 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 39.6% on a year-over-year basis. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.800-3.000 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at AeroVironment

In related news, CEO Wahid Nawabi sold 17,300 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $263.05, for a total value of $4,550,765.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 122,233 shares of the company's stock, valued at $32,153,390.65. This trade represents a 12.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of AeroVironment

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. ORG Partners LLC lifted its stake in AeroVironment by 296.0% in the second quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 99 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 74 shares during the last quarter. RMG Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the second quarter worth $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its position in AeroVironment by 60.3% during the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 117 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the period. 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 worth $45,000 after buying an additional 156 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the second quarter worth about $46,000. 86.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc designs, develops, produces, delivers, and supports a portfolio of robotic systems and related services for government agencies and businesses in the United States and internationally. It operates through Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), Tactical Missile System (TMS), Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MUAS), and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Systems (HAPS) segments.

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