Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) Stock Now Rated “Moderate Buy” by Wall Street Analysts

Shares of Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten research firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, one has issued a hold recommendation and eight have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $32.71.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on AVNW shares. Rafferty Capital Markets assumed coverage on Aviat Networks in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. They set a “buy” rating and a $36.00 target price on the stock. Craig Hallum started coverage on Aviat Networks in a research report on Tuesday, June 30th. They set a “buy” rating and a $36.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Aviat Networks in a research note on Friday, August 28th. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aviat Networks from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, October 3rd. Finally, Roth Capital reissued a “buy” rating and set a $38.00 price target (up from $34.00) on shares of Aviat Networks in a research report on Friday, August 28th.

Insider Transactions at Aviat Networks

In other Aviat Networks news, CEO Pete Smith sold 14,264 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.69, for a total transaction of $280,858.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 367,840 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $7,242,769.60. The trade was a 3.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Erin Boase sold 1,347 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.69, for a total transaction of $26,522.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 28,275 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $556,734.75. This trade represents a 4.55% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 16,240 shares of company stock worth $319,766. Corporate insiders own 5.70% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Aviat Networks

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Tieton Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Aviat Networks in the second quarter valued at $15,017,000. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Aviat Networks by 1.0% during the first quarter. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. now owns 529,533 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $11,973,000 after purchasing an additional 5,302 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Aviat Networks by 6.2% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 432,521 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $9,779,000 after purchasing an additional 25,374 shares during the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. boosted its position in shares of Aviat Networks by 122.2% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 432,325 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $9,775,000 after purchasing an additional 237,761 shares during the period. Finally, Aristides Capital LLC lifted its stake in Aviat Networks by 9.6% during the first quarter. Aristides Capital LLC now owns 114,691 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $2,593,000 after buying an additional 10,016 shares in the last quarter. 78.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Aviat Networks Trading Up 4.2%

Shares of AVNW opened at $19.74 on Tuesday. Aviat Networks has a twelve month low of $13.92 and a twelve month high of $27.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $253.86 million, a P/E ratio of 103.89 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 1.97, a quick ratio of 1.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $20.32 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.06.

Aviat Networks (NASDAQ:AVNW) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 27th. The communications equipment provider reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.09. Aviat Networks had a return on equity of 5.85% and a net margin of 0.58%. The company had revenue of $120.89 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $110.12 million. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Aviat Networks will post 2.09 earnings per share for the current year.

About Aviat Networks

Aviat Networks, Inc (NASDAQ: AVNW) provides wireless networking solutions for communications service providers, private networks, government agencies, utilities, transportation organizations, and other critical infrastructure operators. The company specializes in connecting locations where fiber is unavailable, impractical, or requires a complementary wireless link.

Its portfolio includes microwave and millimeter-wave wireless transport systems, packet-based networking equipment, routers, wireless access products, network management software, and related installation, support, and professional services.