Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) Receives Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $34.50.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on AVNW shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Aviat Networks from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Citizens Jmp restated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $30.00 target price on shares of Aviat Networks in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th. Roth Mkm reduced their price objective on Aviat Networks from $41.00 to $38.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, February 4th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Aviat Networks in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, B. Riley Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $36.00 target price (up from $35.00) on shares of Aviat Networks in a report on Wednesday, February 4th.

Insider Activity at Aviat Networks

In other news, CEO Pete A. Smith sold 17,086 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.33, for a total value of $449,874.38. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 358,747 shares in the company, valued at $9,445,808.51. This represents a 4.55% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Gary Croke sold 6,914 shares of Aviat Networks stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $26.20, for a total value of $181,146.80. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 43,868 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,149,341.60. The trade was a 13.62% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 5.30% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aviat Networks

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AVNW. Western Standard LLC raised its position in shares of Aviat Networks by 84.5% during the 4th quarter. Western Standard LLC now owns 494,238 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $10,567,000 after buying an additional 226,332 shares during the period. Weber Capital Management LLC ADV acquired a new position in shares of Aviat Networks in the 4th quarter valued at $3,099,000. Marshall Wace LLP grew its holdings in shares of Aviat Networks by 140.2% during the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 226,580 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $4,844,000 after purchasing an additional 132,262 shares during the period. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Aviat Networks by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 285,868 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $6,555,000 after purchasing an additional 115,298 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Aviat Networks by 34.5% in the 3rd quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 311,254 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $7,137,000 after buying an additional 79,774 shares during the period. 78.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Aviat Networks Trading Up 1.2%

Shares of AVNW stock opened at $22.76 on Tuesday. Aviat Networks has a 1-year low of $16.95 and a 1-year high of $27.02. The company has a market cap of $293.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.48 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.00 and a 200-day simple moving average of $22.90.

Aviat Networks (NASDAQ:AVNW) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The communications equipment provider reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.48 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $111.47 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $109.67 million. Aviat Networks had a net margin of 3.27% and a return on equity of 10.71%. On average, equities research analysts expect that Aviat Networks will post 1.97 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Aviat Networks

Aviat Networks, Inc is a specialist in wireless transport solutions, designing, manufacturing and selling microwave networking products that enable the secure and reliable transmission of data, voice and video. The company’s offerings address mission-critical communications needs for a broad range of end markets, including telecommunications service providers, utilities, government agencies and enterprises. Its product portfolio spans high-capacity packet microwave radios, IP transport systems and network management software.

Aviat’s core product lines include the WTM series of packet microwave platforms, which deliver scalable throughput and advanced resilience features, and the Eclipse packet microwave systems, which combine broadband capacity with synchronization, security and quality-of-service capabilities.