Canaccord Genuity Group Lowers AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Price Target to $300.00

Key Points

• Canaccord Genuity cut its price target on AeroVironment from $330 to $300 but kept a "buy" rating, implying roughly 36.9% upside; the analyst consensus remains a "Moderate Buy" with an average target near $323.50.
• Q3 results showed revenue up ~143% YoY to $408M but missed top‑line and EPS estimates, and management set FY2026 EPS guidance at $2.75–$3.10, below street expectations.
• Key near‑term risks include removal of ~$1.4–$1.7B from the backlog tied to the SCAR/Space Force stoppage, a $727M notes issuance that raises leverage and covenant pressure, and recent insider selling plus an investor probe increasing headline risk.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) had its price objective lowered by equities research analysts at Canaccord Genuity Group from $330.00 to $300.00 in a report released on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "buy" rating on the aerospace company's stock. Canaccord Genuity Group's target price points to a potential upside of 36.90% from the stock's current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on AVAV. Weiss Ratings cut shares of AeroVironment from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d)" rating in a report on Monday, February 9th. UBS Group decreased their price objective on shares of AeroVironment from $259.00 to $236.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. initiated coverage on AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $320.00 target price on the stock. BNP Paribas Exane began coverage on AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $355.00 target price for the company. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their price target on AeroVironment from $325.00 to $250.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $323.50.

AeroVironment Stock Up 5.5%

Shares of AVAV traded up $11.40 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $219.13. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,827,404 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,986,861. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 5.08 and a quick ratio of 4.29. AeroVironment has a 12-month low of $102.25 and a 12-month high of $417.86. The stock has a market cap of $10.94 billion, a PE ratio of -50.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.51 and a beta of 1.26. The company's 50 day moving average is $282.58 and its 200 day moving average is $292.68.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, March 10th. The aerospace company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $408.05 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $487.94 million. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.52% and a negative net margin of 13.93%.AeroVironment's revenue for the quarter was up 143.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.30 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.750-3.100 EPS. Equities analysts anticipate that AeroVironment will post 3.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at AeroVironment

In related news, CFO Kevin Patrick Mcdonnell sold 396 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $224.55, for a total transaction of $88,921.80. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 16,026 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,598,638.30. This trade represents a 2.41% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.92, for a total value of $50,184.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 5,994 shares in the company, valued at $1,504,014.48. This trade represents a 3.23% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 4,474 shares of company stock worth $1,390,404. Company insiders own 0.81% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AeroVironment

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC increased its stake in AeroVironment by 60.0% in the 3rd quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 30 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 7.8% in the third quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 498 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $157,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC increased its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 1.0% during the fourth quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC now owns 4,046 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $979,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares during the period. NewEdge Wealth LLC raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 3,709 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $897,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Finally, J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 3.7% during the fourth quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 1,081 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $261,000 after purchasing an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. 86.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: MarketBeat argues the pullback is a longer‑term value entry: technicals show a near‑term bottom, institutions have been net buyers and the firm highlights upside if backlog execution and commercial expansion rebound. AeroVironment Touches Down On Value Opportunity
• Positive Sentiment: Some sell‑side firms trimmed price targets but kept bullish ratings (BTIG kept a "buy" rating with a lower PT), indicating analysts still see meaningful upside if execution resumes. BTIG price target note (Benzinga)
• Neutral Sentiment: Q3 results were mixed: revenue rose ~143% YoY to ~$408M (strong growth) but missed top‑line and adjusted EPS estimates; FY26 EPS guidance was lowered to $2.75–$3.10, beneath consensus — hurt near‑term expectations but left longer‑term market opportunity intact. Q3 results and call
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple analysts cut price targets (KeyBanc, Stifel, RBC, UBS, etc.) — ratings largely remain Overweight/Buy but with lower targets, producing mixed medium‑term signals for holders and traders. Analyst reactions and target cuts
• Negative Sentiment: Contract risk: reports about the SCAR/Space Force stoppage removed ~$1.4–1.7B from unfunded backlog and created near‑term revenue visibility concerns, a core reason investors shaved the stock. SCAR contract uncertainty
• Negative Sentiment: Financing/leverage risk: disclosure of $727M in new notes raises leverage, tightens covenants and elevates liquidity risk — an added balance‑sheet consideration for investors already jittery about visibility. Notes raise and leverage risk
• Negative Sentiment: Headline/insider/legal risk: a Pomerantz investor probe was announced and the CFO disclosed a modest 396‑share sale — both increase short‑term headline risk and may pressure sentiment if litigation or more insider selling follows. Pomerantz investigation CFO Form 4 / Insider sale

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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