AlphaGrep UK Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 7,736 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,277,000. AeroVironment comprises 0.4% of AlphaGrep UK Ltd's holdings, making the stock its 15th biggest holding.
Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in AeroVironment in the fourth quarter worth $26,000. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 230.3% during the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 109 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 90.0% during the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 133 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Finally, Banque Cantonale Vaudoise purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.38% of the company's stock.
Insider Buying and Selling
In other news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total transaction of $43,602.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 49,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,546,264.41. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total value of $41,381.30. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,592,271.68. The trade was a 2.53% decrease in their position. 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 ninety days, insiders sold 705 shares of company stock worth $132,979. Insiders own 0.79% of the company's stock.
AeroVironment Price Performance
AVAV opened at $144.65 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 4.30, a quick ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $160.02 and its 200-day simple moving average is $182.91. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 12-month low of $135.20 and a 12-month high of $417.86. The company has a market capitalization of $7.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -39.31, a PEG ratio of 5.09 and a beta of 1.41.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $641.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a positive return on equity of 3.71%. AeroVironment's revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.61 earnings per share. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of brokerages have issued reports on AVAV. Wall Street Zen upgraded AeroVironment from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, July 5th. Wedbush initiated coverage on AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $250.00 price target for the company. BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and issued a $205.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $248.00 to $235.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Wolfe Research cut AeroVironment to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $266.68.
Check Out Our Latest Research Report on AVAV
Key Stories Impacting AeroVironment
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 Profile
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Free Report)
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.
See Also
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