Korea Investment CORP Makes New $54.90 Million Investment in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Korea Investment CORP purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 332,595 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $54,901,000.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 2nd quarter valued at about $574,566,000. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in AeroVironment during the 4th quarter worth approximately $94,655,000. Swedbank AB increased its position in AeroVironment by 22,773.4% during the 4th quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 261,214 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $63,185,000 after purchasing an additional 260,072 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 4,770.1% in the fourth quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 260,207 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $62,941,000 after buying an additional 254,864 shares during the period. Finally, Heard Capital LLC raised its holdings in 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 buying an additional 235,685 shares during the period. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at AeroVironment

In other AeroVironment news, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total value of $41,381.30. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,592,271.68. This represents a 2.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value of $47,995.00. Following the transaction, the director 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 SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 705 shares of company stock worth $132,979 over the last 90 days. 0.81% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

AeroVironment Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of AeroVironment stock opened at $160.22 on Friday. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 1-year low of $135.20 and a 1-year high of $417.86. The company has a market capitalization of $8.14 billion, a PE ratio of -43.54, a P/E/G ratio of 5.45 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 business has a 50-day moving average of $161.80 and a 200-day moving average of $190.56.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $641.62 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.71% and a negative net margin of 9.00%.The company’s revenue was up 133.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.61 earnings per share. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have issued reports on AVAV. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. Stifel Nicolaus cut their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $315.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Clear Str upgraded shares of AeroVironment to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 29th. William Blair reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of AeroVironment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AeroVironment presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $266.68.

Trending Headlines about AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: New U.S. drone tariffs could benefit AVAV. President Trump’s August 13 proclamation imposes broad tariffs on foreign drone imports, potentially steering demand toward U.S. manufacturers such as AeroVironment and supporting domestic pricing, production and market share. Trump’s New Drone Tariffs Give AeroVironment, Kratos and Red Cat a Policy Tailwind
• Positive Sentiment: Greek joint venture expands AeroVironment’s European footprint. AV Eagle, formed with Eyeonix SA, will establish localized production and technology capabilities in Greece after receiving foreign-investment approval. The venture could improve access to European defense programs, strengthen supply-chain resilience and position AVAV to participate in the region’s growing counter-drone market. AeroVironment to Establish Industrial Presence in Greece Through AV Eagle
• Positive Sentiment: Propulsion investments support longer-term growth. AeroVironment is expanding electric, hybrid and unmanned-aircraft propulsion capabilities, potentially broadening its addressable markets beyond current defense platforms. Clear Street also initiated coverage with a Buy rating, adding to generally favorable analyst sentiment. Can AeroVironment’s Propulsion Capabilities Support Future Growth?
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent operating momentum remains strong, but valuation is demanding. The latest reported quarter included $641.6 million in revenue, up 133.3% year over year, and EPS of $1.84 versus a $1.47 consensus estimate. However, AVAV remains unprofitable on a trailing basis, trades below its 200-day moving average and carries a high PEG ratio, leaving the stock sensitive to execution and future-growth expectations.
• Negative Sentiment: Shareholder-law-firm investigations add headline risk. Berger Montague and Grabar Law Office are investigating whether AeroVironment’s board properly disclosed potential competition for U.S. Space Force SCAR program work. The claims are allegations, but any litigation, disclosure findings or related costs could pressure investor confidence. Berger Montague investigates AeroVironment’s board
• Negative Sentiment: A director’s stock sale is a minor cautionary signal. Director Stephen Page sold 250 shares worth approximately $48,000 under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. Because the sale was small relative to his remaining holdings and scheduled in advance, its direct impact is likely limited.

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.