Oakmont Investment Advisors Inc. Invests $1.62 Million in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Key Points

• Oakmont Investment Advisors bought 9,799 AeroVironment shares worth approximately $1.62 million, while institutional investors collectively own 86.38% of the company.
• AeroVironment exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $1.84 in earnings per share versus the $1.47 consensus and $641.62 million in revenue, up 133.3% year over year.
• Analysts maintain a generally positive outlook, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and average price target of $266.68, though valuation, execution, and the profitability of its $464.8 million Army laser contract remain concerns.

Oakmont Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 9,799 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $1,618,000. AeroVironment comprises about 1.1% of Oakmont Investment Advisors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd largest holding.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth $574,566,000. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 8.8% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 884,395 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $213,956,000 after acquiring an additional 71,903 shares in the last quarter. Heard Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Heard Capital LLC now owns 722,150 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $174,681,000 after acquiring an additional 235,685 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in AeroVironment by 17.2% during the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 504,270 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $143,692,000 after acquiring an additional 73,963 shares during the period. Finally, Stephens Investment Management Group LLC increased its position in AeroVironment by 18.8% during the first quarter. Stephens Investment Management Group LLC now owns 490,426 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $89,772,000 after acquiring an additional 77,619 shares during the period. 86.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity

In related news, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total value 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. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Stephen Page sold 250 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value of $47,995.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 48,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,311,605.94. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold 705 shares of company stock worth $132,979 over the last ninety days. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

AeroVironment Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AVAV opened at $144.65 on Friday. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 1 year low of $135.20 and a 1 year high of $417.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -39.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.09 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 4.30 and a quick ratio of 3.59. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $160.02 and its 200 day simple moving average is $182.91.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 analysts' expectations of $555.97 million. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.61 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AVAV has been the subject of several analyst reports. William Blair reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. KeyCorp reaffirmed an "overweight" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a "sell (d)" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday, June 8th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Wolfe Research lowered AeroVironment to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $266.68.

Key Headlines 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 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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