International Assets Investment Management LLC Makes New $20.29 Million Investment in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)

International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 160,953 shares of the aerospace company's stock, valued at approximately $20,287,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC owned about 0.57% of AeroVironment at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. RiverPark Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 77.2% in the fourth quarter. RiverPark Advisors LLC now owns 388 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $49,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank raised its holdings in shares of AeroVironment by 1.7% in the 3rd quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 11,666 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $1,301,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its position in shares of AeroVironment by 4.4% in the 3rd quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 7,432 shares of the aerospace company's stock worth $829,000 after purchasing an additional 310 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 8.1% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,673 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $521,000 after purchasing an additional 350 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System increased its holdings in AeroVironment by 5.2% during the third quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,464 shares of the aerospace company's stock valued at $832,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the period. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AeroVironment Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of AVAV traded up $3.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $168.77. 251,346 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 290,492. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 1-year low of $88.24 and a 1-year high of $184.61. The company has a quick ratio of 3.16, a current ratio of 4.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The company has a market capitalization of $4.75 billion, a PE ratio of -39.16 and a beta of 0.44. The business has a 50 day moving average of $151.17 and a 200 day moving average of $133.91.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, March 4th. The aerospace company reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.33 by $0.30. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 15.14% and a positive return on equity of 13.93%. The firm had revenue of $186.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $170.62 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.33 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 38.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts anticipate that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 2.8 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have weighed in on AVAV. William Blair restated an "outperform" rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, March 5th. Robert W. Baird reissued a "neutral" rating and set a $161.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Friday, March 8th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, April 5th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AeroVironment currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $140.20.

Insider Activity

In related news, VP Trace E. Stevenson sold 1,913 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.00, for a total value of $350,079.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,570 shares in the company, valued at approximately $470,310. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, SVP Melissa Ann Brown sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $176.77, for a total transaction of $176,770.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 12,339 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,181,165.03. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, VP Trace E. Stevenson sold 1,913 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $183.00, for a total value of $350,079.00. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 2,570 shares in the company, valued at approximately $470,310. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.40% of the company's stock.

AeroVironment Company Profile

AeroVironment, Inc designs, develops, produces, delivers, and supports a portfolio of robotic systems and related services for government agencies and businesses in the United States and internationally. It operates through Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), Tactical Missile System (TMS), Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MUAS), and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Systems (HAPS) segments.