AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV Shares Purchased by UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its holdings in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) by 28.7% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 70,266 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 15,650 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned about 0.14% of AeroVironment worth $11,599,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. United Services Automobile Association bought a new stake in shares of AeroVironment in the 1st quarter worth approximately $225,000. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. bought a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth $285,000. American Century Companies Inc. bought a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth $633,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in 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 period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP increased its position in AeroVironment by 0.4% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 24,188 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $6,892,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AeroVironment News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Landmark $464.8 million laser contract: The Army selected AeroVironment to deliver dozens of LOCUST X3 high-energy laser systems under its Enduring-High Energy Laser program. It is described as the first U.S. directed-energy weapon production award, moving the technology from testing toward field deployment and strengthening AVAV’s position in counter-drone defense. AV’s LOCUST Selected for Nearly $500 million Army Counter-UAS Contract
• Positive Sentiment: Improved revenue visibility and potential growth platform: The multiyear award could establish a new business line for directed-energy systems and expand AeroVironment’s broader counter-UAS opportunity. It may also support future technology development and additional defense orders. AeroVironment’s $465 Million Army Laser Win Expands Its Counter-Drone Opportunity
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains intact: BTIG maintained its Buy rating and $205 price target following the contract announcement, suggesting the award reinforces the long-term investment case. AeroVironment’s New $465M LOCUST Laser Contract Reinforces Buy Rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Contract economics remain unclear: Investors still need evidence that the award will generate attractive margins and meaningful near-term earnings, rather than simply increasing backlog. Production ramp-up, delivery timing, and execution will be important factors. AeroVironment: The $465 Million LOCUST Win Needs Margin Proof
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and execution concerns are limiting the reaction: Commentary remains cautious about competition, limited near-term upside, and whether AeroVironment can translate the laser award into sustained margin expansion. Those concerns are contributing to the stock’s decline even after the headline contract win. Jim Cramer’s AeroVironment Comments

AeroVironment Stock Performance

Shares of AVAV stock opened at $144.65 on Monday. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 1 year low of $135.20 and a 1 year high of $417.86. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.35 billion, a PE ratio of -39.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 1.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $160.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of $182.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 3.59 and a current ratio of 4.30.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.37. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.71% and a negative net margin of 9.00%.The company had revenue of $641.62 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $555.97 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.61 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 133.3% compared to the same quarter last year. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.2 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reissued a "buy" rating and set a $225.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Thursday, July 9th. KeyCorp reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of AeroVironment to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $315.00 to $220.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of AeroVironment from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, July 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $266.68.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total value of $43,602.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 49,001 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,546,264.41. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total transaction of $41,381.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 7,888 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,592,271.68. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders have sold 705 shares of company stock worth $132,979. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

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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