Jupiter Topco LLC Buys New Holdings in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Key Points

• Jupiter Topco LLC established a new 14,462-share position in AeroVironment during the second quarter, valued at approximately $2.4 million. Institutional investors own 86.38% of the company.
• AeroVironment received a $464.8 million U.S. Army contract to produce LOCUST X3 directed-energy systems for counter-drone defenses, strengthening its growth prospects in the defense market.
• The stock recently traded near $145, well below its 52-week high of $417.86. Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $266.68, though investors face near-term earnings and profitability risks ahead of the company’s September 9 results.

Jupiter Topco LLC purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 14,462 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $2,387,000.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. United Services Automobile Association purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the first quarter valued at approximately $225,000. Schnieders Capital Management LLC. purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the second quarter worth $285,000. American Century Companies Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the second quarter worth $633,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 5,200.0% during the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 159 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 24,188 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $6,892,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the last quarter. 86.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AeroVironment News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment was awarded a $464.8 million production contract for the U.S. Army’s Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program. The company will provide dozens of LOCUST X3 systems to strengthen counter-drone defenses, creating a significant source of revenue and validating its directed-energy technology. AeroVironment Wins $464.8 Million Army Enduring-High Energy Laser Contract
• Positive Sentiment: The award is described as the first-ever U.S. production contract for directed-energy systems, potentially positioning AeroVironment as an early leader in a strategically important defense market. The contract also supports the company’s broader autonomous and counter-unmanned-aircraft-systems growth strategy. AV's LOCUST Selected for Nearly $500 Million Army Contract
• Positive Sentiment: William Blair reaffirmed a Buy rating, arguing that the Army award restores credibility and provides support for scalable growth. The endorsement may reinforce confidence following the stock’s substantial retreat from its 52-week high. AeroVironment Reaffirmed at Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are preparing for AeroVironment’s upcoming quarterly results, expected on September 9. The report should provide updates on demand, contract execution, revenue growth and profitability. AeroVironment Earnings Preview
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cautioned that AeroVironment may not have the typical ingredients for an earnings beat, creating a near-term risk if results or guidance disappoint. AeroVironment Earnings Expectations

AeroVironment Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of AeroVironment stock opened at $145.39 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $7.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -39.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.92 and a beta of 1.41. The company's 50 day moving average is $159.67 and its 200 day moving average is $183.86. AeroVironment, Inc. has a twelve month low of $135.20 and a twelve month 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 posted its earnings results 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 business 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%. The firm's revenue was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.61 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.25 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AVAV shares. Piper Sandler cut their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $248.00 to $235.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of AeroVironment from an "outperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $210.00 to $180.00 in a report on Thursday, July 9th. William Blair reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Citigroup reiterated a "market outperform" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Monday, June 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $266.68.

Insider Buying and Selling at AeroVironment

In other AeroVironment news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value 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. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. 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 Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total transaction of $41,381.30. Following 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. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979 in the last ninety days. 0.79% of the stock is currently 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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