Aveanna Healthcare (NASDAQ:AVAH) Sets New 12-Month High on Analyst Upgrade

Key Points

• Aveanna Healthcare shares reached a new 52-week high after Truist Financial raised its price target from $11 to $15, though it maintained a “hold” rating. The broader analyst consensus is “Moderate Buy,” with a target price of $12.89.
• The company beat quarterly expectations, reporting adjusted EPS of $0.22 versus the $0.17 consensus and revenue of $670.48 million compared with estimates of $638.61 million.
• Insider selling remains a potential concern: major shareholder Robert M. Williams Jr. sold 2.25 million shares and CEO Jeff Shaner sold 90,000 shares, both at an average price of $11.50.

Shares of Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAH - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday after Truist Financial raised their price target on the stock from $11.00 to $15.00. Truist Financial currently has a hold rating on the stock. Aveanna Healthcare traded as high as $13.98 and last traded at $13.70, with a volume of 5371630 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $13.16.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Aveanna Healthcare from $8.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, August 14th. Stephens raised shares of Aveanna Healthcare from an "equal weight" rating to an "overweight" rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $10.00 to $11.00 in a report on Friday, May 15th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Aveanna Healthcare from $9.00 to $9.50 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Aveanna Healthcare from $10.00 to $16.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Raymond James Financial boosted their price target on Aveanna Healthcare from $13.00 to $15.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 14th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $12.89.

Insider Activity

In other Aveanna Healthcare news, major shareholder Robert M. Williams, Jr. sold 2,250,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.50, for a total value of $25,875,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 12,315,892 shares of the company's stock, valued at $141,632,758. This trade represents a 15.45% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeff Shaner sold 90,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.50, for a total transaction of $1,035,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 2,561,972 shares of the company's stock, valued at $29,462,678. The trade was a 3.39% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 79,746,745 shares of company stock valued at $773,117,091. Company insiders own 5.30% of the company's stock.

Trending Headlines about Aveanna Healthcare

Here are the key news stories impacting Aveanna Healthcare this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Royal Bank of Canada raised its price target from $10 to $16 and upgraded its rating to “outperform,” implying additional upside from the stock’s recent trading level. Benzinga analyst coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Truist Financial lifted its price target from $11 to $15 while maintaining a “hold” rating. The higher target reflects improved valuation expectations, even though Truist remains cautious on the shares. Benzinga analyst coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Insiders and major shareholders disclosed approximately 48.6 million shares of sales at an average price of $11.50, worth roughly $558.5 million. Sellers included Paul R. Vigano, Robert M. Williams Jr., and J.H. Whitney Equity Partners V, as well as CEO Jeff Shaner, director Rodney D. Windley, and insider Edwin C. Reisz. Although the sellers retained sizable positions, the volume of stock coming to market may pressure AVAH and raise questions about shareholder confidence. SEC insider transaction filing

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aveanna Healthcare

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in Aveanna Healthcare by 252.4% during the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,351 shares of the company's stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 2,400 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new stake in Aveanna Healthcare in the 2nd quarter valued at $43,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new position in Aveanna Healthcare during the 1st quarter valued at $53,000. Oxford Asset Management LLP bought a new position in Aveanna Healthcare during the 2nd quarter valued at $64,000. Finally, C M Bidwell & Associates Ltd. purchased a new position in Aveanna Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth $69,000. 87.96% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Aveanna Healthcare Stock Up 4.1%

The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.47. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.99 billion, a PE ratio of 11.14, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.90. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $9.71 and its 200-day simple moving average is $7.95.

Aveanna Healthcare (NASDAQ:AVAH - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 13th. The company reported $0.22 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.17 by $0.05. Aveanna Healthcare had a net margin of 10.56% and a return on equity of 80.70%. The company had revenue of $670.48 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $638.61 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Aveanna Healthcare Holdings Inc. will post 0.68 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Aveanna Healthcare Company Profile

Aveanna Healthcare, Inc NASDAQ: AVAH is a national provider of in-home health care services, specializing in pediatric skilled nursing, therapy, and related support for medically complex and chronically ill children. The company delivers a range of clinical and therapeutic solutions designed to enable patients to receive care in the comfort of their own homes, reducing the need for hospital stays and long-term institutional care. Aveanna's offerings include registered nursing, physical, occupational and speech therapy, behavioral health counseling, and durable medical equipment coordination.

In addition to pediatric home health services, Aveanna operates adult home health and personal care support programs, assisting elderly and disabled adults with daily living activities, medication management, and rehabilitation therapies.

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