Lisanti Capital Growth LLC Makes New $3.36 Million Investment in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Lisanti Capital Growth LLC purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 23,625 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,360,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sunbelt Securities Inc. acquired a new position in AeroVironment in the first quarter valued at $25,000. Balance Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Toth Financial Advisory Corp acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the second quarter worth about $33,000. Jacobi Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, DecisionPoint Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the third quarter worth about $28,000. 86.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CAO Brian Shackley sold 205 shares of the firm’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 completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,592,271.68. This trade represents a 2.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available 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 that occurred on Tuesday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $152.27, for a total value of $38,067.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 48,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,347,484.31. This trade represents a 0.52% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 805 shares of company stock worth $142,671 in the last ninety days. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

AeroVironment Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of AeroVironment stock opened at $124.40 on Thursday. AeroVironment, Inc. has a one year low of $100.40 and a one year high of $408.25. The company has a market cap of $6.32 billion, a P/E ratio of -53.16, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 3.33 and a current ratio of 4.26. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $136.23 and a two-hundred day moving average of $178.12.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, September 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.59 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.22 by $0.37. The business 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%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.32 earnings per share. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.

Key Stories Impacting AeroVironment

Here are a few of the latest stories about AVAV:

• Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment received a $405 million international direct commercial sales order for LOCUST X3 high-energy laser systems to expand counter-drone capabilities in the Middle East. The award is a significant commercial win for the product line. Article: AV Awarded Landmark $405 Million International Order for LOCUST X3 Laser Defense Systems
• Positive Sentiment: The company also secured a $315 million initial award under a new U.S. IDIQ contract with a $940 million ceiling. Together, the U.S. and international awards represent $720 million in announced awards, with both described as multiyear programs. Article: AeroVironment Lands $720 Million in Defense Awards
• Neutral Sentiment: The awards suggest AeroVironment’s defense systems are advancing into larger-scale deployment, but investors will likely watch contract execution and how quickly the multiyear programs contribute to revenue. The $940 million figure is the U.S. contract ceiling, not the initial award. Article: Should Major Defense Orders Require Action From AeroVironment Investors?

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on AVAV shares. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $285.00 price target on AeroVironment in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. BTIG Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 price objective on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Thursday, September 10th. Barclays assumed coverage on AeroVironment in a research report on Friday, October 9th. They set an “equal weight” rating and a $237.00 price objective for the company. KeyCorp lowered their target price on AeroVironment from $220.00 to $200.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 2nd. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $225.00 target price on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Thursday, September 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nineteen have issued a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $223.86.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc. develops uncrewed aircraft systems and other technology for defense, government and commercial customers. Its products include small drones used for reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as the Switchblade family of loitering munitions. The company also provides counter-drone systems, training, support and related services. Founded in 1971 by engineer and inventor Paul MacCready, AeroVironment has a history of developing aircraft and uncrewed systems. Its customers include U.S. government and military organizations, allied nations and commercial users.