Thornburg Investment Management Inc. Makes New $3.40 Million Investment in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Key Points

• Thornburg Investment Management opened a new position in AeroVironment during the fourth quarter, buying 14,051 shares valued at about $3.4 million.
• Several other institutional investors also increased or initiated stakes, and hedge funds and institutions now own 86.38% of AeroVironment’s shares, showing continued broad investor interest.
• Analysts remain generally constructive despite trimming price targets: the stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus with an average target price of $318.78, even as recent reports and insider selling have added some caution.

Thornburg Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 14,051 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $3,399,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA boosted its holdings in AeroVironment by 40.0% in the 4th quarter. Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych PZU SA now owns 420 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 120 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC boosted its holdings in AeroVironment by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 2,667 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $645,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its holdings in AeroVironment by 49.2% in the 4th quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 5,317 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $1,286,000 after acquiring an additional 1,753 shares during the period. MYDA Advisors LLC purchased a new position in AeroVironment in the 4th quarter worth approximately $3,628,000. Finally, Next Century Growth Investors LLC boosted its holdings in AeroVironment by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Next Century Growth Investors LLC now owns 26,691 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $6,456,000 after acquiring an additional 1,851 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.38% of the company's stock.

AeroVironment Stock Performance

Shares of AVAV opened at $171.95 on Tuesday. The business's 50 day moving average is $183.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $233.90. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 52-week low of $156.00 and a 52-week high of $417.86. The firm has a market cap of $8.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -39.62, a PEG ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a quick ratio of 4.54, a current ratio of 5.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AVAV shares. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price target on AeroVironment from $330.00 to $300.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 12th. KeyCorp cut their target price on AeroVironment from $330.00 to $295.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their target price on AeroVironment from $325.00 to $250.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on AeroVironment from $260.00 to $235.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $320.00 target price on the stock. Two equities 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 given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $318.78.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $162.31, for a total transaction of $40,577.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 49,251 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $7,993,929.81. This represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the company's stock.

Key AeroVironment News

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment unveiled the TOM 50 RE, a backpackable uncrewed ground vehicle designed for rapid reconnaissance and explosive ordnance disposal, which highlights continued product innovation in defense robotics. AV Introduces TOM 50 RE, a Backpackable UGV for Rapid Reconnaissance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal
• Positive Sentiment: The company announced it will report fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2026 results on June 29 and hold a conference call afterward, which can raise investor attention and create anticipation ahead of earnings. AeroVironment, Inc. to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Fiscal Year 2026 Earnings and Host Conference Call
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple law firms continued reminding investors about a July 27 deadline in the company’s securities class-action case, keeping legal overhang in focus but not adding new case developments. Deadline Alert: AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) Shareholders Who Lost Money Urged To Contact Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP About Securities Fraud Lawsuit
• Neutral Sentiment: Additional investor-alert notices from Faruqi & Faruqi, Rosen, and Schall also reiterated the same lawsuit deadline, reinforcing the legal backdrop around the shares. AVAV INVESTOR ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Reminds AeroVironment (AVAV) Investors of Securities Class Action Lawsuit Deadline on July 27, 2026
• Negative Sentiment: The legal claims specifically allege that AeroVironment executives overstated a $1.7 billion contract while the U.S. Space Force was reassessing its acquisition strategy, which could pressure sentiment if investors view the allegations as credible. AVAV UPCOMING DEADLINE: Levi & Korsinsky Alerts AeroVironment, Inc. Stockholders of Securities Class Action - Contact the Firm

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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