Assenagon Asset Management S.A. Has $3.06 Million Position in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Key Points

• Assenagon Asset Management increased its AeroVironment stake by 47.6% in the second quarter, owning 18,506 shares worth approximately $3.06 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively hold 86.38% of AVAV stock.
• AeroVironment reported strong quarterly results, with revenue up 133.3% year over year to $641.62 million and EPS of $1.84, exceeding analyst estimates. The company is benefiting from defense contract momentum, including a $117.3 million U.S. Army award, and sustained demand for unmanned systems.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $266.68 price target, but concerns include valuation, recent profit-taking, and a shareholder investigation into potential fiduciary-duty breaches.

Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) by 47.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,506 shares of the aerospace company's stock after acquiring an additional 5,964 shares during the quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A.'s holdings in AeroVironment were worth $3,055,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 46.9% in the 2nd quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,912 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 610 shares during the last quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division lifted its position in shares of AeroVironment by 87.7% in the second quarter. Moody National Bank Trust Division now owns 7,373 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,217,000 after buying an additional 3,444 shares during the last quarter. Southern Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 12.6% during the 1st quarter. Southern Financial Group LLC now owns 1,218 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $223,000 after acquiring an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Militia Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 1st quarter worth about $209,000. Finally, Evolutionary Tree Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the 1st quarter valued at about $522,000. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AeroVironment News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong defense demand and contract momentum: AeroVironment’s shares have risen sharply over the past month, supported by a $117.3 million U.S. Army contract, a new autonomous-systems partnership and continued demand for unmanned defense platforms. The company’s latest quarterly results also exceeded earnings and revenue expectations, with revenue rising 133.3% year over year. AVAV Outperforms Industry in the Past Month: How to Play the Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Clear Street reiterated a Buy rating on AeroVironment, providing continued Wall Street support following the stock’s recent rally. Clear Street Remains a Buy on AeroVironment
• Positive Sentiment: Favorable policy backdrop: New U.S. tariffs on foreign drones and critical components are intended to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains and accelerate domestic production. That could improve the competitive position of U.S. defense-drone manufacturers such as AeroVironment, although higher component costs remain a potential offset. Trump administration imposes sweeping tariffs on foreign drone imports
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed sector signals: U.S. missile-stockpile shortages and replenishment needs are supporting broader defense spending expectations, while a selloff in Ondas Holdings after its earnings report highlights volatility across drone stocks. Replenishing the Arsenal
• Negative Sentiment: Shareholder investigation: Bernstein Liebhard announced an investigation into possible fiduciary-duty breaches by AeroVironment directors and officers. Although allegations have not been proven, the announcement adds legal and governance risk and may weigh on sentiment. AeroVironment Shareholder Investigation Alert
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking and valuation concerns: Despite strong fundamentals and analyst support, the stock recently declined while the broader market improved, suggesting investors may be locking in gains after its substantial monthly advance and reassessing its elevated valuation. AeroVironment Stock Declines While Market Improves

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on AVAV shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on AeroVironment from $315.00 to $220.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday, June 8th. Citizens Jmp lowered their price target on AeroVironment from $350.00 to $230.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 10th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $225.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Clear Str upgraded shares of AeroVironment to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $266.68.

AeroVironment Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AVAV opened at $189.43 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $9.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.48, a PEG ratio of 6.59 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $162.47 and a 200 day moving average price of $195.07. The company has a quick ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 4.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. AeroVironment, Inc. has a twelve month low of $135.20 and a twelve month high of $417.86.

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, topping the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $641.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.71% and a negative net margin of 9.00%.The company's revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.61 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. Research analysts predict that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total transaction of $43,602.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 49,001 shares in the company, valued at $8,546,264.41. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AeroVironment Company Profile

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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