Empowered Funds LLC Invests $6.76 Million in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Key Points

• Empowered Funds LLC acquired 40,964 AeroVironment shares worth approximately $6.76 million during the second quarter, giving it a 0.08% stake. Institutional investors collectively own 86.38% of the company.
• AeroVironment’s outlook is supported by a $51 million U.S. Army Switchblade 600 order, NASA’s selection of the company for a Mars helicopter mission, strong recent earnings and revenue growth, and a multibillion-dollar backlog.
• Despite analysts’ consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and $266.68 average price target, AVAV shares opened at $147.94 and remain below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages; recent insider sales and valuation concerns add pressure.

Empowered Funds LLC bought a new position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 40,964 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $6,762,000. Empowered Funds LLC owned about 0.08% of AeroVironment as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Equitable Holdings Inc. acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the second quarter worth approximately $1,163,000. Centaurus Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter valued at $320,000. Coastal Bridge Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth $461,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter worth $1,806,000. Finally, Capstone Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment in the second quarter valued at $1,621,000. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment received a $51 million U.S. Army order for additional Switchblade 600 loitering munitions. The award reinforces demand for the company’s autonomous weapons systems and supports production expansion ahead of first-quarter earnings. AVAV Stock Rises Overnight: AeroVironment Pockets $51M Army Contract Ahead Of Q1 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory selected AeroVironment to co-design and co-manufacture three helicopters for the SkyFall Mars mission, potentially launching in 2028. The project broadens AVAV’s unmanned-systems expertise beyond defense and has moved into a formally funded science program. AeroVironment to co-manufacture helicopters for Mars with NASA
• Positive Sentiment: William Blair reiterated a Buy rating, citing strong loitering-munitions demand and the potential for an Army E-HEL laser contract to offset near-term revenue pressure. Analysts also point to AVAV’s multibillion-dollar backlog and international expansion as longer-term supports. Louie DiPalma Reiterates Buy on AeroVironment
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will present at the Jefferies Global Industrials Conference on September 10, giving investors a potential update on orders, production capacity and the outlook.
• Negative Sentiment: Shares have declined from their 52-week peak and trade below both their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, signaling continued bearish momentum. Investors may also be concerned that AVAV’s high-growth outlook is already reflected in its valuation.
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity shows 11 sales and no purchases over six months, including sales by the CFO and other executives. That pattern can weigh on sentiment, although it does not necessarily indicate deteriorating business fundamentals.

Insider Transactions at AeroVironment

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total transaction of $47,995.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 48,503 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $9,311,605.94. The trade was a 0.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at $1,592,271.68. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders sold 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979. Insiders own 0.79% of the company's stock.

AeroVironment Price Performance

Shares of AeroVironment stock opened at $147.94 on Monday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $159.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $186.00. The company has a current ratio of 4.30, a quick ratio of 3.59 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. The stock has a market cap of $7.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -40.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.05 and a beta of 1.41.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $641.62 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. The firm'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. Equities research analysts forecast that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AVAV has been the subject of a number of research reports. UBS Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Citizens Jmp reduced their price objective on AeroVironment from $350.00 to $230.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, July 10th. BTIG Research reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $205.00 target price on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Wedbush began coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $250.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $266.68.

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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