Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Cuts Position in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Key Points

• Dimensional Fund Advisors reduced its AeroVironment stake by 46.9% in the first quarter, selling 76,380 shares and retaining 86,624 shares worth approximately $15.9 million. Institutional investors still own 86.38% of the company.
• AeroVironment reported stronger-than-expected quarterly results, with EPS of $1.84 versus the $1.47 consensus estimate and revenue of $641.6 million, up 133.3% year over year. Shares opened at $186.73, well below their 52-week high of $417.86.
• A reported $400 million U.S. Army purchase of AeroVironment’s anti-drone laser systems could validate the technology and create a significant new revenue opportunity. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with an average price target of $266.68, although several firms recently lowered their targets.

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lessened its position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) by 46.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 86,624 shares of the aerospace company's stock after selling 76,380 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 0.17% of AeroVironment worth $15,857,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AVAV. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its position in AeroVironment by 90.0% in the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 133 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in AeroVironment by 73.8% in the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 139 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in AeroVironment by 230.3% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 109 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.38% of the company's stock.

AeroVironment Stock Performance

Shares of AVAV stock opened at $186.73 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -50.74, a PEG ratio of 5.82 and a beta of 1.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $163.19 and a 200 day moving average of $199.96. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 52 week low of $135.20 and a 52 week high of $417.86. 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 (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 the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $641.62 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a positive return on equity of 3.71%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.61 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AVAV has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of AeroVironment from a "strong sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of AeroVironment from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $210.00 to $180.00 in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "sell (d)" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Monday, June 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target 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. Two 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's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $266.68.

Key Headlines Impacting AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The U.S. Army is expected to purchase at least $400 million of AeroVironment’s anti-drone laser systems, according to a person familiar with the matter. The reported order would represent the Pentagon’s first production purchase of a directed-energy counter-drone system beyond the prototype stage, potentially validating the technology and creating a meaningful new revenue opportunity. US Army to Spend $400 Million on AeroVironment Anti-Drone Lasers
• Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is also focused on the potential for laser-based counter-drone weapons to move from testing into broader military deployment. Such an expansion could strengthen AeroVironment’s position in the growing counter-UAS market and support longer-term defense-contract momentum. AVAV Stock Jumps on Reported Army Deal
• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment appointed Michael D. Ruppert to its board. His more than 25 years of aerospace and defense financial, strategic and corporate-development experience—including his role as ManTech’s chief financial officer—could add relevant industry and governance expertise. AeroVironment Appoints Michael D. Ruppert to Board
• Neutral Sentiment: A promotional investor article highlighted AeroVironment as a leading drone-industry company benefiting from rising military demand, autonomous systems, and increased defense budgets. The commentary supports the sector narrative but does not provide a new contract, financial forecast, or company-specific operating update. The Drone Supercycle Wall Street Still Hasn’t Priced In

Insider Activity at AeroVironment

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

AeroVironment 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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