AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Stock Price Down 1.3% - Here's Why

Key Points

• AeroVironment shares fell 1.3% to $186.85 on Tuesday on light trading volume (~629,734 shares, down about 65% vs. average).
• Several analysts cut price targets (e.g., UBS, Piper Sandler, Needham, Jefferies) but the consensus rating remains a "Moderate Buy" with a consensus target of $318.78.
• The company missed quarterly estimates—EPS $0.64 vs. $0.68 expected and revenue $408.1M vs. $487.9M expected—though revenue was up 143.4% YoY and AeroVironment guided FY2026 EPS to $2.75–3.10 (street average ~3.38).

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) shares were down 1.3% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $181.35 and last traded at $186.85. Approximately 629,734 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 65% from the average daily volume of 1,813,027 shares. The stock had previously closed at $189.26.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AVAV shares. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $259.00 to $236.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $391.00 to $290.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, March 3rd. Needham & Company LLC lowered their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $450.00 to $400.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $390.00 to $305.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 12th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of AeroVironment from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned 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 $318.78.

AeroVironment Trading Down 1.3%

The company's 50-day moving average is $233.92 and its 200-day moving average is $286.94. The firm has a market cap of $9.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -43.05, a P/E/G ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 4.54 and a current ratio of 5.51.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, March 10th. The aerospace company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $408.05 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates 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% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.30 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.750-3.100 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.52, for a total transaction of $42,504.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 5,794 shares in the company, valued at $1,231,340.88. This represents a 3.34% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Kevin Patrick Mcdonnell sold 999 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $367.60, for a total transaction of $367,232.40. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 17,301 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,359,847.60. This trade represents a 5.46% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 4,724 shares of company stock worth $1,435,854 in the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in AeroVironment by 60.0% during the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Tema Etfs LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in AeroVironment by 100.0% during the 3rd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares during the period. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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