Brokerages Set AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) PT at $255.47

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-four brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $247.7895.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AVAV shares. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. KeyCorp restated an “overweight” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price objective on AeroVironment from $315.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Friday, September 4th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on AeroVironment from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday.

AeroVironment News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Record results and backlog: Fiscal Q1 FY2027 revenue increased 5.7% year over year to a record $480.5 million, while adjusted earnings of $0.59 per share exceeded consensus estimates. Funded backlog rose 37% to approximately $1.5 billion, and the 1.4 book-to-bill ratio points to solid future demand. AeroVironment’s Record Backlog and Earnings Beat Fuel Recovery Case
• Positive Sentiment: LOCUST international expansion: AeroVironment received its first international purchase order for its LOCUST directed-energy counter-drone system, valued at more than $50 million. Management said laser weapons could become a flagship franchise, with low operating costs potentially supporting broader adoption. AeroVironment Secures First International Order for LOCUST
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support remains: JPMorgan raised its target to $210 and Citizens JMP maintained an Outperform rating with a $230 target after the earnings report, reflecting optimism about autonomous systems demand and a second-half production ramp.
• Neutral Sentiment: Guidance was maintained but not raised: AeroVironment reaffirmed fiscal 2027 earnings guidance of $3.02–$3.34 per share. However, full-year revenue guidance of approximately $2.18 billion at the midpoint was slightly below analyst expectations, tempering the earnings beat.
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and execution concerns: Analysts note that growth is moderating, profitability remains pressured, and the stock still carries a premium valuation despite its substantial decline from its 12-month high. Investors are also watching the company’s ability to scale LOCUST and other programs efficiently.
• Negative Sentiment: Price-target cut weighs on sentiment: Bank of America retained a Buy rating but lowered its target from $225 to $185, signaling reduced near-term upside expectations and contributing to the stock’s decline.

Insider Activity at AeroVironment

In other news, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.86, for a total value of $41,381.30. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,592,271.68. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of AeroVironment stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total transaction of $47,995.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 48,503 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,311,605.94. The trade was a 0.51% decrease in their position. 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 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.79% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AeroVironment

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Capital Analysts LLC boosted its holdings in AeroVironment by 16.8% in the 2nd quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 2,019 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $333,000 after purchasing an additional 291 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $59,000. IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in AeroVironment by 31.4% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 6,084 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $1,004,000 after purchasing an additional 1,455 shares during the period. Nykredit A S purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $176,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of AeroVironment by 119.9% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 387 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment Stock Down 0.2%

AVAV stock opened at $146.71 on Thursday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $157.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $178.78. AeroVironment has a 12 month low of $135.20 and a 12 month high of $417.86. The company has a market cap of $7.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -62.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.15 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 4.26 and a quick ratio of 3.59.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, September 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $480.49 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $451.95 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 5.77% and a positive return on equity of 4.04%. AeroVironment’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.32 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that AeroVironment will post 3.22 earnings per share for the current year.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc is a defense technology company that develops and produces unmanned aircraft systems, loitering munitions, counter-unmanned aircraft systems and related robotic technologies. Its products are designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, precision strike, force protection and tactical communications applications.

The company’s portfolio includes the Raven, Puma and Wasp small unmanned aircraft systems; the JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft; and the Switchblade family of loitering munitions.