AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Trading Up 4.6% - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• AeroVironment's stock price rose 4.6% during mid-day trading, reaching as high as $392.82, with a significant increase in trading volume compared to the average daily numbers.
• Numerous analysts have upgraded their target prices for AeroVironment, with JMP Securities setting it at $400 and BTIG Research at $415, indicating a strong demand for the stock.
• The company's recent quarterly earnings showed revenue increase of 140.0% year-over-year, though it fell short of the EPS consensus estimate by $0.02.

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report)'s share price rose 4.6% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $392.82 and last traded at $391.88. Approximately 1,803,217 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 102% from the average daily volume of 894,578 shares. The stock had previously closed at $374.64.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AVAV. JMP Securities increased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $325.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a "market outperform" rating in a report on Friday. BTIG Research increased their price objective on AeroVironment from $300.00 to $415.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on AeroVironment from $267.00 to $350.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 1st. Raymond James Financial upped their target price on AeroVironment from $300.00 to $348.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, September 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $300.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, September 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $347.14.

AeroVironment Stock Up 4.6%

The stock has a market cap of $19.57 billion, a PE ratio of -612.30, a PEG ratio of 6.35 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 5.96 and a quick ratio of 5.12. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $266.76 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $213.46.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, September 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.34 by ($0.02). AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 4.14% and a positive return on equity of 4.67%. The business had revenue of $454.68 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $446.16 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.89 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 140.0% on a year-over-year basis. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.600-3.70 EPS. Analysts expect that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.38 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at AeroVironment

In other AeroVironment news, CEO Wahid Nawabi sold 17,300 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 122,233 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $32,153,390.65. The trade was a 12.40% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of AeroVironment

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. ORG Partners LLC lifted its holdings 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 period. RMG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter valued at about $28,000. Bessemer Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 60.3% in the second quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 117 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 5,200.0% in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. bought a new stake in AeroVironment during the second quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Institutional investors own 86.38% of the company's stock.

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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