AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) will release its first earnings report after the closing bell on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Analysts expect the Arlington, Virginia-based company to report quarterly earnings of 25 cents per share, down from 32 cents per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimate for AeroVironment’s quarterly revenue is $456.09 million. It reported $454.68 million last year, according to Benzinga Pro.
On Sept. 2, the company won a $464.8 million contract from the U.S. Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires program office for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program.
AeroVironment shares gained 2.9% to close at $148.78 on Tuesday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
Raymond James analyst Brian Gesuale upgraded the stock from Market Perform to Outperform with a price target of $210 on July 16, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 73%. Citizens analyst Trevor Walsh maintained a Market Outperform rating and cut the price target from $350 to $230 on July 10, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 84%. Piper Sandler analyst Clarke Jeffries maintained an Overweight rating and cut the price target from $248 to $235 on July 9, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 51%. RBC Capital analyst Ken Herbert downgraded the stock from Outperform to Sector Perform and slashed the price target from $210 to $180 on July 9, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 75%. BTIG analyst Andre Madrid maintained a Buy rating with a price target of $205 on July 9, 2026. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 54%. Trending
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, /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces an investigation into the Board of Directors of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) ("AeroVironment" or the "Company") for potential breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders.
The investigation is focused on whether AeroVironment improperly concealed its exposure to competition for work under the U.S. Space Force's Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program.
AeroVironment, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a leading American defense technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and space and directed-energy technologies in support of the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and commercial clients worldwide.
Shareholders of AeroVironment may learn more about this investigation by contacting Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015 or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764- 4865 or by visiting our website.
About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.
For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:
Andrew Abramowitz
Berger Montague
(215) 875-3015
[email protected]
Operationally proven laser weapon system receives first international purchase order valued at more than $50 million, highlighting growing global demand for scaled directed energy defense for counter-UAS missions.
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced it has received its first international purchase order for the LOCUST® Laser Weapon System. The landmark, first of its kind direct commercial sale (DCS) order, valued at more than $50 million, marks a significant milestone in the global adoption of AV’s directed energy counter‑drone capabilities.
The landmark, first of its kind direct commercial sale (DCS) order, valued at more than $50 million, marks a significant milestone in the global adoption of AV’s directed energy counter‑drone capabilities.
Share The purchase order covers an initial delivery of AV’s mission‑proven LOCUST systems and associated support. The award follows AV's recent selection by the U.S. Army for a $464.8 million Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) contract, representing the first-ever production contract for high energy laser weapon systems in United States history.
“This first international order signals increasing global recognition that high‑energy laser weapon systems are essential to modern air defense,” said Wahid Nawabi, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “The threat from low-cost drones is global and has fundamentally changed the economics of warfare. LOCUST gives our customers an affordable, scalable way to defeat drone threats at scale without relying solely on expensive interceptors.”
“This first international order for LOCUST is a pivotal milestone in our directed energy roadmap,” said Mary Clum, President of Space, Cyber, and Directed Energy at AV. “We are not only accelerating the fielding of an operationally proven laser weapon system, we are also establishing a foundation for sustained and expanded international adoption to provide layered innovation in counter‑drone defense.”
To support the growing demand for LOCUST, AV recently announced it is investing more than $30 million to expand its Albuquerque, New Mexico manufacturing campus, creating a vertically integrated production hub to scale domestic and international production of directed energy, space, and advanced defense technologies while also adding more than 450 jobs and generating over $670 million in economic impact.
In addition to this latest international award, LOCUST has helped drive first‑of‑their‑kind milestones for U.S. directed energy, from achieving the military’s first acknowledged laser kills on the southern border and defeating multiple drones from the deck of the USS George H. W. Bush, to successful integrations on Infantry Squad Vehicles and Joint Light Tactical Vehicles under the AMP‑HEL initiative and multiple high‑profile live‑fire events at White Sands Missile Range observed by military and defense leaders, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth who recently operated the system at White Sands.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of War have also signed a landmark safety agreement creating a pathway for LOCUST to operate safely in U.S. airspace, following FAA review of the system’s domestic deployment.
These achievements firmly establish LOCUST as one of the most operationally proven laser weapon systems in the American arsenal.
MORE ON LOCUST
LOCUST is an operationally proven high-energy laser weapon system that combines advanced sensing, tracking and directed-energy defeat capabilities against Group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems and other aerial threats. The modular system supports fixed-site, palletized and mobile deployment and can integrate with multiple cueing sensors and command-and-control (C2) networks.
Recently featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, the operationally‑proven LOCUST laser weapon system delivers engagements for less than $10 per shot and provides sustained defense unconstrained by the reload limitations of traditional air defense systems, offering a truly transformative solution for modern air defense.
LOCUST serves as a central piece of AV’s Halo_Shield™ modular layered air defense platform, providing best‑in‑breed detection, surveillance, and directed energy defeat capability alongside AV’s Titan® C‑UAS system and Freedom Eagle™‑1 next‑generation missile. Halo_Shield is an interoperable, distributed, and layered system that detects, tracks, and defeats drones, swarms, and other evolving aerial threats.
About AV
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter‑UAS technologies, space‑based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission‑ready suite of AI‑powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full‑battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future‑defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward‑looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward‑looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of AVAV either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Wall Street analysts forecast that AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) will report quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share in its upcoming release, pointing to no change from the year-ago quarter. It is anticipated that revenues will amount to $474.57 million, exhibiting an increase of 4.4% compared to the year-ago quarter.
Over the past 30 days, the consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been adjusted upward by 8.1% to its current level. This demonstrates the covering analysts' collective reassessment of their initial projections during this period.
Before a company reveals its earnings, it is vital to take into account any changes in earnings projections. These revisions play a pivotal role in predicting the possible reactions of investors toward the stock. Multiple empirical studies have consistently shown a strong association between trends in earnings estimates and the short-term price movements of a stock.
While it's common for investors to rely on consensus earnings and revenue estimates for assessing how the business may have performed during the quarter, exploring analysts' forecasts for key metrics can yield valuable insights.
Given this perspective, it's time to examine the average forecasts of specific AeroVironment metrics that are routinely monitored and predicted by Wall Street analysts.
The average prediction of analysts places 'Revenue- Contract Services' at $150.43 million. The estimate indicates a year-over-year change of +6.6%.
Analysts forecast 'Revenue- Product Sales' to reach $306.40 million. The estimate points to a change of -2.3% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus estimate for 'Gross margin- Contract services' stands at $20.24 million. Compared to the current estimate, the company reported $12.27 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
Based on the collective assessment of analysts, 'Gross margin- Product sales' should arrive at $82.34 million. Compared to the present estimate, the company reported $82.85 million in the same quarter last year.
View all Key Company Metrics for AeroVironment here>>>
Shares of AeroVironment have demonstrated returns of -13.5% over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.5% change. With a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), AVAV is expected to mirror the overall market performance in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
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$135.20▼
$417.86$266.68
Defense technology has been one of the market's most volatile and arguably talked-about themes in 2026, apart from artificial intelligence, of course. But the gains across the sector have been far from evenly distributed.
AeroVironment NASDAQ: AVAV is proof of that. While many of its peers have climbed, AVAV has fallen nearly 40% from where it began the year, leaving the drone and loitering-munitions maker as one of the sector's clear laggards. That is precisely what makes this week's news worth a closer look. The company just landed a landmark contract that could reframe the investment case, and it arrives with the stock trading near its 52-week low.
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A Landmark Directed-Energy AwardOn Sept. 2, AeroVironment announced the U.S. Army had awarded it a $464.8 million contract for its Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program. Under the agreement, the company will produce dozens of its LOCUST X3 laser weapon systems over the next several years to defend against the small, low-flying drones that have reshaped the modern battlefield, a category the Pentagon labels Group 1 through 3.
What makes this more than just another defense contract is its historic nature. The award represents the first-ever production contract for directed energy systems in United States history, marking the moment laser weapons officially graduated from prototype to full-scale production. The LOCUST X3 is a 30-kilowatt, platform-agnostic system designed to integrate with vehicles such as the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle and builds on years of successful field testing. For AVAV, it is validation that its bet on directed energy is beginning to pay off in a serious way.
What the Company DoesFor those less familiar with the name, AeroVironment is a defense technology company best known as a pioneer in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and loitering munitions. Its Switchblade drones have become a staple of modern warfare, and the company has steadily expanded into counter-drone technology, an area of surging demand as militaries worldwide scramble to defend against cheap, proliferating aerial threats. The LOCUST award slots directly into that growing counter-UAS portfolio, adding a high-value production program to a business already anchored by a backlog of roughly $1.2 billion.
Fundamentals and ValuationThe fundamental picture is more mixed than the contract headline suggests, and investors should, as always, weigh both sides. AVAV generates annual revenue of nearly $2 billion, and analysts project earnings growth of close to 30% in the year ahead. But the company is currently unprofitable on a trailing basis, having posted a net loss of roughly $265 million over the past 12 months, which is why the stock trades at a forward multiple in the mid-40s rather than trailing earnings, which are negative. That forward valuation demands that the anticipated growth actually materializes, and leaves little to no room for disappointment.
The balance sheet offers some reassurance, with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17 and a current ratio slightly above 4, indicating no immediate short-term solvency issues and leaving some room to fund its expansion. Production for the new contract will be supported by a $30 million investment in its Albuquerque, New Mexico, facility, announced earlier this year, a sign that management anticipated this ramp.
Current Price$146.76High Forecast$429.00Average Forecast$266.68Low Forecast$166.00AeroVironment Stock Forecast Details
Despite the beaten-down share price, the professional community remains overwhelmingly bullish. The stock carries a Moderate Buy consensus rating from the 24 analysts covering it, and the average price target of $266.68 implies a striking 81% upside from current levels.
Despite its clear year-to-date (YTD) lagging performance, institutions appear to view it as a clear mispricing and long-term opportunity. Over the prior 12 months, institutions have purchased $3.85 billion of AVAV stock, versus just $1.14 billion in sales, resulting in an impressive net inflow and current institutional ownership of slightly more than 86%.
Catalyst Meets CautionAVAV has begun the month with a complex yet intriguing overall setup: a beaten-down defense innovator that just secured a historic, first-of-its-kind production contract, with analysts pointing to substantial upside. And another major catalyst is just around the corner; the company is set to announce its Q1 2027 earnings on Sept. 9 after the market closes.
The central question the LOCUST award raises is whether directed energy can become a meaningful new growth pillar for the company, and this contract is the strongest evidence yet that it can. The risks are just as real, though, from the trailing losses to the margin pressures to a share price that has spent the year falling. The LOCUST award does not erase a difficult year, but it does give investors a concrete reason to take a fresh look at a name the market had largely written off.
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AV’s proven LOCUST ® family of laser weapons will anchor E-HEL Army program
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in proven autonomous and counter-drone systems, today announced it has been awarded a landmark contract valued at $464.8 million by the U.S. Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires (PAE Fires) program office for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program.
This award represents the first-ever production contract for directed energy systems in United States history, signaling a historic transition from prototype to production for laser weapon systems.
Share This award represents the first-ever production contract for directed energy systems in United States history, signaling a historic transition from prototype to production for laser weapon systems.
“This award marks a defining moment not only for AV, but for the future of modern defense,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “The transition of directed energy from experimentation to an enduring, fielded capability reflects years of collaboration, innovation, and operational success alongside the U.S. Army. We are proud to deliver these production systems and support the Army’s mission with scalable, modular, and cost-effective defense solutions.”
Under this Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), AV will deliver dozens of LOCUST® X3 laser weapon systems over the next few years in support of multi-year fielding requirements, advancing the Army’s layered air defense capabilities against group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) while also solidifying directed energy as a cornerstone of future battlefield operations.
AV's LOCUST X3, a 30-kilowatt platform-agnostic system, will be integrated with various platforms such as the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), with options for palletized configurations, while analyzing the potential to integrate on an Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) in the near future. As part of the program, AV will also provide ongoing system support and training.
The E-HEL program builds upon the success of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototypes currently in use by the Army.
The contract follows LOCUST’s successful testing at White Sands Missile Range, led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) and PAE Fires, which demonstrated safe, effective counter-drone operations in U.S. airspace and directly enabled a DOW–FAA safety agreement validating the system for domestic use.
By entering production, the E-HEL program enables the Army to field a sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective solution against UAS. The ramp up in production will be supported by a $30 million investment in AV’s Albuquerque, NM facility that was announced in March of 2026.
“This program represents the culmination of years of operational lessons learned and rapid prototyping,” said John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems at AV. “E-HEL is not a future capability, it is a production-ready system, built on proven technology, and designed to meet the demands of today’s fight while scaling for tomorrow’s threats.”
The award further reinforces AV’s leadership in directed energy and its role as a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of War. The company’s platform-agnostic approach enables integration across multiple mission sets and platforms, ensuring flexibility and rapid deployment in diverse operational environments.
As the Army transitions to procurement at scale, the E-HEL program establishes a foundation for sustained production, innovation, and fielding of next-generation laser weapon systems, delivering capability “at the speed of light.”
About LOCUST®
AV’s LOCUST family of directed energy systems represents a breakthrough in counter-UAS defense, delivering precise, scalable, and cost-effective protection against evolving aerial threats. Its performance was recently featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, underscoring its growing relevance in modern defense and broader adoption. LOCUST was also successfully demonstrated aboard the U.S. Navy’s USS George H.W. Bush. The system was also validated in joint testing with JIATF-401 at White Sands Missile Range, a demonstration that informed Department of War and Federal Aviation Administration coordination on the safe use of lasers in domestic airspace. The latest evolution, LOCUST X3, introduces enhanced power, modularity, and AV_Halo™ AI-driven targeting and serves as a key effector within AV’s Halo_Shield™ architecture.
About AV
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
AV's LOCUST® Selected for Nearly $500 million Army Counter-UAS Contract for Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) Program AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in proven autonomous and counter-drone systems, today announced it has been awarded a landmark contract valued at $464.8 million by the U.S. Army Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fires (PAE Fires) program office for the Enduring-High Energy Laser (E-HEL) program.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260818921666/en/
AV’s LOCUST® selected for $464.8 million counter-UAS contract award by the U.S. Army. The award represents the first-ever procurement for directed energy systems in United States history, signaling a historic transition from prototype to production for laser weapon systems. (Rendering for illustrative purposes only.)
This award represents the first-ever production contract for directed energy systems in United States history, signaling a historic transition from prototype to production for laser weapon systems.
“This award marks a defining moment not only for AV, but for the future of modern defense,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “The transition of directed energy from experimentation to an enduring, fielded capability reflects years of collaboration, innovation, and operational success alongside the U.S. Army. We are proud to deliver these production systems and support the Army’s mission with scalable, modular, and cost-effective defense solutions.”
Under this Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), AV will deliver dozens of LOCUST® X3 laser weapon systems over the next few years in support of multi-year fielding requirements, advancing the Army’s layered air defense capabilities against group 1-3 unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) while also solidifying directed energy as a cornerstone of future battlefield operations.
AV's LOCUST X3, a 30-kilowatt platform-agnostic system, will be integrated with various platforms such as the Army's Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), with options for palletized configurations, while analyzing the potential to integrate on an Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) in the near future. As part of the program, AV will also provide ongoing system support and training.
The E-HEL program builds upon the success of the Army Multi-Purpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) prototypes currently in use by the Army.
The contract follows LOCUST’s successful testing at White Sands Missile Range, led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) and PAE Fires, which demonstrated safe, effective counter-drone operations in U.S. airspace and directly enabled a DOW–FAA safety agreement validating the system for domestic use.
By entering production, the E-HEL program enables the Army to field a sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective solution against UAS. The ramp up in production will be supported by a $30 million investment in AV’s Albuquerque, NM facility that was announced in March of 2026.
“This program represents the culmination of years of operational lessons learned and rapid prototyping,” said John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems at AV. “E-HEL is not a future capability, it is a production-ready system, built on proven technology, and designed to meet the demands of today’s fight while scaling for tomorrow’s threats.”
The award further reinforces AV’s leadership in directed energy and its role as a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of War. The company’s platform-agnostic approach enables integration across multiple mission sets and platforms, ensuring flexibility and rapid deployment in diverse operational environments.
As the Army transitions to procurement at scale, the E-HEL program establishes a foundation for sustained production, innovation, and fielding of next-generation laser weapon systems, delivering capability “at the speed of light.”
About LOCUST®
AV’s LOCUST family of directed energy systems represents a breakthrough in counter-UAS defense, delivering precise, scalable, and cost-effective protection against evolving aerial threats. Its performance was recently featured on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, underscoring its growing relevance in modern defense and broader adoption. LOCUST was also successfully demonstrated aboard the U.S. Navy’s USS George H.W. Bush. The system was also validated in joint testing with JIATF-401 at White Sands Missile Range, a demonstration that informed Department of War and Federal Aviation Administration coordination on the safe use of lasers in domestic airspace. The latest evolution, LOCUST X3, introduces enhanced power, modularity, and AV_Halo™ AI-driven targeting and serves as a key effector within AV’s Halo_Shield™ architecture.
About AV
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260818921666/en/
Disclosures I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.
Wall Street expects flat earnings compared to the year-ago quarter on higher revenues when AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) reports results for the quarter ended July 2026. While this widely-known consensus outlook is important in gauging the company's earnings picture, a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.
The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on September 9. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis maker of unmanned aircrafts is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.32 per share in its upcoming report, which represents no change from the year-ago quarter.
Revenues are expected to be $474.57 million, up 4.4% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 8.08% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. This insight is at the core of our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction).
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for AeroVironment?For AeroVironment, the Most Accurate Estimate is lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bearish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -28.13%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #3.
So, this combination makes it difficult to conclusively predict that AeroVironment will beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?While calculating estimates for a company's future earnings, analysts often consider to what extent it has been able to match past consensus estimates. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that AeroVironment would post earnings of $1.53 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.84, delivering a surprise of +20.26%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates just once.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
AeroVironment doesn't appear a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $144.17, demonstrating a -2.82% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily loss of 0.71%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.79%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 1.03%.
The maker of unmanned aircrafts's shares have seen a decrease of 6.8% over the last month, not keeping up with the Aerospace sector's loss of 5.7% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.72%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of AeroVironment in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on September 9, 2026. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.32, showcasing no movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $474.57 million, indicating a 4.38% upward movement from the same quarter last year.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $3.25 per share and a revenue of $2.17 billion, signifying shifts of -1.81% and +9.78%, respectively, from the last year.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for AeroVironment. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.39% lower. At present, AeroVironment boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, AeroVironment is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 45.69. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 35.67, which means AeroVironment is trading at a premium to the group.
Also, we should mention that AVAV has a PEG ratio of 5.06. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.23 as trading concluded yesterday.
The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 39, finds itself in the top 16% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
Something unusual is happening across drone stocks this Tuesday morning, and the pattern of declines reveals exactly what kind of market day this is and who gets hurt most when risk appetite vanishes from speculative defense names.
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The drone complex is selling in a strict beta ladder this Tuesday morning, and the ordering itself is the story. The smallest and least profitable names are falling hardest, the sector fund is falling less, and the broad market is falling least of all. That pattern identifies today’s action as a risk-appetite event rather than drone-specific news flow.
Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) stock is down 6% to $7.20 in early trading, extending a slide that had already left shares down 22% year to date through Monday’s close. No verified company-specific announcement sits behind the move, and no filing or contract award has been posted this morning. The slide is proceeding as a market-wide bid disappears from the most speculative corner of the drone complex.
Red Cat Holdings (NASDAQ:RCAT) shares are down 3% to $8.32 in the same session, a shallower decline than Ondas but well ahead of the broad market’s slip. Meanwhile, AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV | AVAV Price Prediction) is the largest and most established name in the group. It anchors the low-beta end of the drone cohort by virtue of size and revenue diversity that the smaller pure-play names lack.
Framing Contrast Across Markets The REX Drone ETF (NASDAQ:DRNZ) is down 2% to $20.77 this morning. That decline is deeper than the S&P 500’s move today, yet far shallower than the losses in the fund’s smallest constituents. That gap between the fund and its top holdings is the visible signature of a risk-appetite move rather than a fundamental repricing.
Checking in on the broader market context, the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEARCA:SPY) is down 0.5% to $763.51 in the same window. Together, the two funds bracket the drone complex, with Ondas sitting at the high-beta end of a sector that is itself at the high-beta end of the market. That ordering, running from Ondas through Red Cat and the drone fund down to the S&P 500, is exactly what a risk-off session in speculative growth names looks like.
Rates and Oil Set the Mood A global bond selloff has pushed long-term yields higher, with the 10-year Treasury note yield at 4.78%. Rising discount rates cut into valuations for pre-profit defense technology names whose worth rests on program awards and revenue that arrive in future years rather than on current cash generation. The math hits hardest at the earliest-stage operators, which is where Ondas sits inside the drone group.
Oil is layering on top of that move. Reuters reported on September 1 that oil is rising as renewed U.S.-Iran strikes stoke supply fears, with Brent crude past $91 per barrel. That combination of higher rates and a geopolitical shock is a familiar recipe for selling in small-float, high-beta names, and today’s ordering across the drone complex tracks that logic precisely.
Beta Ladder in Plain View Each name’s decline in this session tracks its position on the risk spectrum, not any difference in news flow between the tickers. Ondas sits at the top of the ladder as a small operator with a concentrated float and no current cash generation to defend the share price. Red Cat sits a rung below on both size and profile, and AeroVironment sits further below still as the group’s anchor.
Higher discount rates compress the present value of future revenue, and small floats amplify the move in both directions. That mechanism explains why declines deepen as market capitalization shrinks across the drone cohort today. The same math works in reverse when yields ease and risk appetite returns, which is why these names tend to lead both directions of the rate cycle.
What to Watch A key unresolved question is whether the sector’s next program news arrives before or after the rate backdrop settles. Investors sizing new exposure to these names could look for signs that yields stabilize before adding to the highest-beta tickers. Cautious position sizing is appropriate given the amplification math working against small floats in a session like this one.
Traders can stay tuned for any Defense Department procurement headlines that might override the macro backdrop, though nothing on the public calendar today suggests a clean offset. Until rates ease, the beta ordering is likely to keep governing intraday moves across Ondas, Red Cat, and AeroVironment. The next clean read on sentiment for this cohort probably arrives with the next 10-year Treasury auction or a fresh program announcement, whichever lands first.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - August 31, 2026) - National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces an investigation into the Board of Directors of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) ("AeroVironment" or the "Company") for potential breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders.
The investigation is focused on whether AeroVironment improperly concealed its exposure to competition for work under the U.S. Space Force's Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program.
AeroVironment, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a leading American defense technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and space and directed-energy technologies in support of the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and commercial clients worldwide.
Shareholders of AeroVironment may learn more about this investigation by contacting Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015 or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764- 4865 or by visiting our website.
About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.
For more information or to discuss your rights, please contact:
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/312045
Source: Berger Montague
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ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV #AVAV--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in defense technology, autonomous systems and precision strike solutions, today announced receipt of a $51 million delivery order from the United States Army for additional Switchblade® 600 Block 2 loitering munition systems. The order also includes Switchblade 600 Block 1 systems in support of a Foreign Military Sale to a key United States ally. The order was awarded under the Army's existing five-year,.
September is typically a volatile month for stocks, with the major indices likely to move sideways within their established ranges as market participants gear up for a year-end rally. Historically speaking, Q4 is the most bullish month of the year, and there are reasons to think this year will be particularly strong.
The AI tailwind is still blowing, driving systemic strength from top-tier tech hardware through building materials and equipment, and the fundamental economic indicators are healthy. The takeaway for investors is that when near-term hurdles and headwinds cloud market judgment and trigger sell-offs, it could be a good time to buy, as the long-term outlook remains robust.
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NVIDIA's Setup Points to 300%+ Upside as Growth Fears FadeNVIDIA’s NASDAQ: NVDA stock price has struggled with traction since May, moving sideways within a trading range that can’t last forever. The struggle centers on growth, sustainability, and balance sheet risk, which has largely been allayed. Q2 and Q3 results were blowouts, affirming the growth outlook the market has yet to price in, and GPU securitization changes the story.
NVIDIA Today
$217.55 -10.43 (-4.57%)
As of 08/28/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
$164.07▼
$236.540.46%
27.50
$322.61
Institutional investors view GPUs as capital-generating equipment with long-lived potential and reliable cash flow. Their capital derisks the outlook, providing a funding pathway that has only begun to unlock, but more importantly, their opinion validates the AI and data center industry. It isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
NVIDIA trades at a discount to its historical norm today, and for pennies on the dollar over the long term. The 10-year outlook suggests this stock is trading at approximately 6x its future earnings, setting the stage for a 300% to 500% price increase over time, depending on whether the market gives back the premium.
Near-term, analyst trends suggest a move toward the high end of price targets, with consensus forecasting about 45% upside and the high end at $500, more than 100% upside.
MongoDB's Atlas Platform Makes It an AI Infrastructure Must-OwnMongoDB NASDAQ: MDB is AI-critical because its Atlas platform enables enterprises of all sizes to deploy and automate data-driven operations.
MongoDB Today
$446.62 +6.04 (+1.37%)
As of 08/28/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
$215.68▼
$473.10$453.19
The company’s database offers AI advantages and utilities, but the Atlas platform unlocks that power and puts it at developers' fingertips. Key takeaways include its native vector search tools, which reduce the need for multiple vendors, and its multi-cloud capabilities, which are essential for today’s businesses and AI labs. Catalysts include the Q2 release and guidance, which highlighted accelerating adoption and profitability, as well as the analyst response it triggered. Analysts are lifting price targets and ratings, driving this stock toward a major breakout.
Analyst consensus assumes fair value near the top of the current trading range, but the trend matters more. It points to a stock price above $500, representing a 25% gain from late August trading levels, and it will likely trend higher as the year progresses.
Snowflake Melts Up as Q2 Silences the SaaS-pocalypse DoubtersSnowflake’s NYSE: SNOW stock is melting up because Q2 results confirmed that the SaaS-pocalypse fears were overblown—and Snowflake is a critical cog in the AI data ecosystem.
Snowflake Today
$327.08 -2.03 (-0.62%)
As of 08/28/2026 03:58 PM Eastern
$118.30▼
$341.95$328.14
The deal with Amazon's NASDAQ: AMZN AWS is a prime example, showing that major hyperscalers see value in Snowflake's platform despite having competing services. Key differentiators include the complete separation of compute and storage (enabling enterprises to scale each as needed), seamless data sharing, and plug-and-play operability.
Analysts are focused on growth and profitability, which are sustaining levels above prior forecasts. They also underpin the stock price rally, with estimates rising sharply over the summer.
The consensus offers only modest upside, but the high-end price targets add about 20% and are likely to move even higher as the year progresses.
Okta's Pivot to Agentic AI Security Powers a Margin-Driven BreakoutOkta NASDAQ: OKTA is critical to cybersecurity for its ID-securing capabilities, and the company is now focusing on agentic AI. Agentic AI increases risk for businesses that adopt it, and Okta provides a centralized platform to control that risk.
Okta Today
$166.23 -6.68 (-3.86%)
As of 08/28/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
$62.66▼
$174.85100.14
$172.92
Features include unified permissions across models, tracking dark AI use, and tracking autonomous devices.
While revenue growth matters for Okta, margins matter more. AI is driving significant margin improvement, and that is reflected in the stock price action.
Okta’s stock price broke out of a trading range this summer. The move indicates a shift in dynamics, with sellers moving to the sidelines, opening a path to higher prices. Analysts see only modest upside at the consensus, but again, the trend is what matters, and it points to $180, or nearly 40% upside.
AeroVironment's BlueHalo Transformation Is Hiding in Plain SightAeroVironment NASDAQ: AVAV is among the most misunderstood stocks at a time when the market is misunderstanding many things.
AeroVironment Today
$147.94 -4.34 (-2.85%)
As of 08/28/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
$135.20▼
$417.86$266.68
While its business looks bad in the rearview mirror, the company has moved past lost contracts, built a massive, growing backlog and advanced the integration of key acquisitions. The primary is BlueHalo. It transformed the company from a simple drone supplier to a defense prime contractor capable of designing and delivering complete systems.
Now, the company just needs to keep executing its strategy, and it is well-positioned to do so.
The analysts' response to AVAV’s latest results was mixed, including some downgrades and price target reductions. However, reaffirmed ratings and price targets, along with new coverage, offset them, leaving the otherwise bullish sentiment intact.
As it stands, MarketBeat tracks 24 analysts with current ratings; the data shows an 83% Buy-side bias, only one Sell rating, and about 80% upside at the consensus. This stock just needs a catalyst to trigger a reversal, and catalysts are ahead.
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Should You Invest $1,000 in Snowflake Right Now?Before you consider Snowflake, you'll want to hear this.
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With the proliferation of data centers and electric vehicles, the electric grid will only get more strained. Download this report to learn how energy stocks can play a role in your portfolio as the global demand for energy continues to grow.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August 26, 2026) - Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally recognized investor rights law firm, announces that it is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by certain directors and officers of AeroViroment, Inc. ("AeroVironment" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AVAV). The investigation seeks to determine whether the Company's leadership fulfilled its obligations to shareholders and whether legal remedies may be available.
Current AeroVironment Shareholders Are Encouraged to Contact the Firm
Do you currently own shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV)?Did you purchase your shares before June 25, 2025?Would you like to learn more about your legal rights as a shareholder?Why Is Bernstein Liebhard Investigating?
Bernstein Liebhard is investigating whether certain directors and officers of AeroVironment breached the fiduciary duties they owed to the Company and its shareholders. The investigation is focused on determining whether Company leadership acted in the best interests of shareholders and whether additional legal action may be appropriate based on publicly available information.
What Shareholders Should Do
If you currently own AeroVironment stock and would like to discuss your legal rights or obtain additional information regarding the investigation, please visit the firm's AeroVironment Shareholder Investigation page or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected] for a confidential consultation.
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
For more than three decades, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has represented investors in complex securities and shareholder litigation. Since 1993, the firm has recovered more than $3.5 billion for its clients and has been retained by many of the nation's largest public and private pension funds to monitor investments and pursue claims on behalf of investors.
The firm's accomplishments include recognition on The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and inclusion in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years, reflecting its longstanding commitment to protecting shareholder rights.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/311506
Source: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - August 26, 2026) - National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces an investigation into the Board of Directors of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) ("AeroVironment" or the "Company") for potential breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders.
The investigation is focused on whether AeroVironment improperly concealed its exposure to competition for work under the U.S. Space Force's Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program.
AeroVironment, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a leading American defense technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and space and directed-energy technologies in support of the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and commercial clients worldwide.
Shareholders of AeroVironment may learn more about this investigation by contacting Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015 or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764- 4865 or by visiting our website.
About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/311547
Source: Berger Montague
Ready to Announce with Confidence? Send us a message and a member of our TMX Newsfile team will contact you to discuss your needs.
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV #AVAV--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) will report its financial results for the first quarter fiscal year 2027, which ended August 1, 2026, after the market closes on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. Management will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that same day to discuss the results. The call will be led by Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment's chairman, president, and chief executive officer; Sean Woodward, executive vice presi.
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV #AVAV--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”), a global defense technology leader, today announced that its MacCready Works advanced solutions team has been awarded a contract for the co-design and co-manufacture of three Mars helicopters for NASA's SkyFall mission with the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), taking the project from future concept to a formally funded Mars science mission and a path toward launch in late 2028. SkyFall is the first mission to fly a team of th.
AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”), a global defense technology leader, today announced that its MacCready Works advanced solutions team has been awarded a contract for the co-design and co-manufacture of three Mars helicopters for NASA’s SkyFall mission with the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), taking the project from future concept to a formally funded Mars science mission and a path toward launch in late 2028.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260827821137/en/
AV's MacCready Works will design and develop three Mars helicopters for NASA's SkyFall mission, supporting a planned launch in late 2028. (Photo/AV)
SkyFall is the first mission to fly a team of three instrument-carrying helicopters on Mars, demonstrating a fully integrated system capable of autonomous atmospheric entry and powered descent.
AV and JPL are building on their experience as co‑developers of NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which completed 72 historic flights at Jezero Crater. Together, the teams are evolving Ingenuity‑derived designs into SkyFall: an active NASA mission under the Science Mission Directorate, optimized to deliver high‑value science for the Mars Exploration Program.
“With Ingenuity, AV and JPL proved we could fly on Mars. Now, with SkyFall, we’re taking AV’s high‑volume uncrewed systems mindset into planetary exploration and showing that Mars helicopters can be built as a repeatable product line, not a one‑off delivery,” said Jeff Rodrian, Head of MacCready Works, AV’s advanced research and development organization. “It’s also a powerful example of public‑private partnership; AV and JPL building on Ingenuity’s success to create a helicopter platform that NASA can apply to many different science missions over multiple launch windows.”
AV is leading the design and production of key elements of the SkyFall helicopters, including rotor systems, airframes, structures, avionics integration, and accommodation for multiple science payloads. JPL is leading the design and development of the power system, electronics, algorithms and software. The helicopters will carry a JPL‑designed ground‑penetrating radar (GPR) to look below the Martian surface, delivering new insight into shallow subsurface ice, central to both Mars science and future human exploration.
New to this mission is a new “SkyFall maneuver.” This technique releases the three helicopters directly from the carrier spacecraft into the Martian atmosphere, where they separate, deploy, descend, and land under their own power. By eliminating the need for a single-use lander stage or a host rover (as Ingenuity required with Perseverance), this approach significantly reduces the technical and financial risk of getting to the Martian surface.
JPL’s GPR instruments carried by the helicopters are designed to map subsurface ice at fine spatial resolution, enabling more precise assessment of where water ice is located and implications for science and future human exploration. In addition, each aircraft will host instruments that will provide data on the Martian atmosphere, dust particle transport, and other key environmental processes.
"Just like here on Earth, Mars helicopters can cover distance quickly and can go places that might be impossible to reach by ground,” said Will Pomerantz, Head of Space Ventures at AV. “The three SkyFall helicopters are going to show us parts of Mars we’ve never seen before and return mountains of data for scientists to pour over. The science community may guide these helicopters to places where the ground penetrating radar can map out the precise location of ice below the Martian surface.”
NASA currently plans a launch window in November 2028, followed by a cruise to Mars, with arrival timing tuned to local time, dust conditions, and power needs.
About AV
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260827821137/en/
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) will participate in the upcoming 2026 Jefferies Global Industrials Conference in New York City, New York. AV Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Wahid Nawabi and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Sean Woodward will participate in a fireside chat on September 10 at 12:50 p.m. ET (11:50 a.m. CT | 9:50 a.m. PT). The fireside chat will be available by webcast at the times listed above and archived on the Company’s website at the link below:
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) closed at $148.20 in the latest trading session, marking a -7.5% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 0.28% loss on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.26%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.77%.
Coming into today, shares of the maker of unmanned aircrafts had gained 7.16% in the past month. In that same time, the Aerospace sector gained 2.98%, while the S&P 500 gained 2.31%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of AeroVironment in its upcoming release. The company is forecasted to report an EPS of $0.34, showcasing a 6.25% upward movement from the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $474.57 million, showing a 4.38% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $3.26 per share and revenue of $2.17 billion, which would represent changes of -1.51% and +9.78%, respectively, from the prior year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for AeroVironment. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Currently, AeroVironment is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note AeroVironment's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 49.15. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 36.06, so one might conclude that AeroVironment is trading at a premium comparatively.
It's also important to note that AVAV currently trades at a PEG ratio of 5.45. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. Aerospace - Defense Equipment stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 2.39 based on yesterday's closing prices.
The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 32, putting it in the top 14% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) shares are dipping Monday after the company announced plans for a $100 million investment in a new, company-owned campus in Moorpark, California. Here’s what you should know.
AeroVironment shares are retreating from recent levels. Why are AVAV shares down? AeroVironment to Consolidate California Operations Into New CampusAeroVironment said it plans to build a unified campus on roughly 20 acres in Moorpark, bringing together teams and capabilities currently spread across five leased Southern California locations. The company said consolidating those sites into one location would strengthen collaboration across research, engineering, design, prototyping and production.
CEO Wahid Nawabi pointed to the investment as proof that California remains central to AeroVironment’s identity more than 50 years after its founding there. He described the new campus as one designed from the ground up around how employees actually get their work done, with an emphasis on adaptable spaces that let people concentrate, collaborate on technical problems and scale up as the business grows, all while the company channels fresh money into its labs, production lines and workforce.
Chief Operating Officer Rob Smith tied the project to speed, saying the real payoff is how much faster ideas can turn into finished systems delivered to military end users, along with the added capability that comes from that acceleration. He said pulling everything under one roof eliminates the drag that comes from juggling several separate sites, replacing it with a single setting built to move quickly, foster teamwork and scale.
New Campus Adds to AeroVironment’s National Manufacturing FootprintBeyond its impact on California operations, AeroVironment framed the campus as part of a larger manufacturing strategy. The company said the Moorpark investment builds on its broader national manufacturing network, adding resilience to help meet growing demand from U.S. and allied government customers.
Renovation and construction work is expected to begin in fiscal 2028, with employees transitioning to the new campus in phases and the site expected to be fully operational in 2029.
AeroVironment’s Chart Remains Stuck in a DowntrendThe campus news lands on a stock that was already struggling technically before today’s decline. Shares are trading well beneath every major trend line that matters, running 12.3% below the 20-day average, 7.2% below the 50-day average, 13.5% below the 100-day average and 32.1% below the 200-day average. The 20-day average sitting above the 50-day average offers a small near-term positive, but a death cross from March, when the 50-day average dropped below the 200-day, keeps any bounce looking like a counter-trend move rather than a genuine reversal until proven otherwise.
Momentum readings aren’t offering much encouragement either. The MACD line sits below its signal line with a negative histogram, a combination that typically means sellers have the upper hand unless the stock can quickly climb back above its key averages.
The stock’s positioning within its own 52-week range tells a similar story. Shares sit much closer to their 52-week low of $135.20 than their 52-week high of $417.86, which is why traders are focused more on where support might hold rather than where the stock could rally to next. The most recent swing low came in June, and the question now is whether the current slide pushes the stock back down to retest that level.
Resistance sits at $162.50, close to the 50-day average around $161, an area where past rallies have lost steam. Support sits at $140.50, near the lower end of the stock’s 52-week range, a zone where buyers have stepped in before.
AVAV Shares Are FallingAVAV Price Action: AeroVironment shares were down 6.70% at $149.49 at the time of publication on Monday, according to Benzinga Pro.
BlackRock Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV – Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 3,480,740 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $574,566,000. BlackRock Inc. owned approximately 6.88% of AeroVironment at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AVAV. Norges Bank acquired a new position in AeroVironment during the fourth quarter worth $94,655,000. Swedbank AB raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 22,773.4% during the fourth quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 261,214 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $63,185,000 after buying an additional 260,072 shares in the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP raised its holdings in AeroVironment by 4,770.1% during 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 in the last quarter. Heard Capital LLC lifted its position in shares of AeroVironment by 48.4% in the fourth quarter. Heard Capital LLC now owns 722,150 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $174,681,000 after buying an additional 235,685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of AeroVironment by 3,880.9% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 206,607 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $65,058,000 after buying an additional 201,417 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research analysts have recently commented on AVAV shares. Citizens Jmp lowered their price objective on AeroVironment from $350.00 to $230.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 10th. KeyCorp restated an “overweight” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. Citigroup reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Wolfe Research downgraded AeroVironment to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, three have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $266.68.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AeroVironment Insider Activity at AeroVironment In other AeroVironment news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.98, for a total value of $47,995.00. Following the sale, the director owned 48,503 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $9,311,605.94. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 205 shares of AeroVironment 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 transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 7,888 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,592,271.68. This represents a 2.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 705 shares of company stock valued at $132,979. 0.79% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.
Key Headlines Impacting 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 Price Performance AVAV stock opened at $160.22 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 4.30 and a quick ratio of 3.59. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 52-week low of $135.20 and a 52-week high of $417.86. The company has a 50-day moving average of $161.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $190.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -43.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.45 and a beta of 1.41.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, June 29th. The aerospace company reported $1.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.47 by $0.37. The company had revenue of $641.62 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a positive return on equity of 3.71% and a negative net margin of 9.00%.The firm’s revenue was up 133.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.61 earnings per share. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 EPS for the current year.
AeroVironment Profile (Free Report)
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.
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Joint venture with Eyeonix SA will create a foundation for local production capabilities in support of Greek, European, and U.S. defense priorities.
ATHENS, Greece--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in all-domain defense technologies, today announced it will establish an industrial presence in Greece through AV Eagle, a joint-venture with Athens-based Eyeonix SA, following the completion of a definitive shareholders agreement and securing Foreign Direct Investment approval from the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The joint venture builds on more than a decade of cooperation between AV and Eyeonix and is intended to expand AV’s ability to pursue defense opportunities in Greece and across the broader European market.
Share The joint venture builds on more than a decade of cooperation between AV and Eyeonix and is intended to expand AV’s ability to pursue defense opportunities in Greece and across the broader European market. AV Eagle is expected to become operational in fiscal year 2027 and provide a platform for future investing, localization and production as requirements and customer opportunities mature.
“The security environment in Europe has created unprecedented demand for advanced, reliable autonomous systems,” said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at AV. “This joint venture is about more than delivering technology—it’s about building long-term capacity with Greece and our NATO allies and partners, creating opportunities for local industry, and scaling manufacturing to meet urgent operational needs.”
Expected activities with this joint venture include potentially establishing a new facility in Greece to manufacture and assemble unmanned aerial systems, loitering munition systems, and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) for defense and civil protection customers in Greece and the broader European market. Production capabilities are expected to be operational by 2028, with employment opportunities expected to grow as production opportunities mature.
AV Eagle will collaborate with local industry and the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation to accelerate fielding timelines, strengthen allied readiness and reinforce supply chain resilience.
“At a time of increasing geopolitical complexity—particularly along EU’s Eastern Flank—the need for interoperable, scalable, and sovereign unmanned and counter-UAS capabilities has never been more critical,” said George K. Strouzakis, Chief Executive Officer of Eyeonix SA. “Together with AV, we are advancing a new model of European defense industrial cooperation—one that supports modernization, aligns with evolving EU defense doctrines, and leverages emerging financing instruments to accelerate capability deployment. By combining proven U.S. technologies with European innovation and integration expertise, we are strengthening resilience, enhancing operational readiness, and contributing to a more unified and capable European defense posture.”
AV will hold a majority ownership interest in AV Eagle and the joint venture will be consolidated within AV’s financials statements. AV’s initial capital investment in the joint venture was included in the company’s previously provided financial guidance.
About AV
AeroVironment (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities—built to meet the mission needs of today’s warfighter and tomorrow’s conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo™, a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, our ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
, /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Berger Montague PC announces an investigation into the Board of Directors of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) ("AeroVironment" or the "Company") for potential breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders.
The investigation is focused on whether AeroVironment improperly concealed its exposure to competition for work under the U.S. Space Force's Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program.
AeroVironment, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a leading American defense technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), loitering munitions, and space and directed-energy technologies in support of the U.S. Department of Defense, allied governments, and commercial clients worldwide.
Shareholders of AeroVironment may learn more about this investigation by contacting Berger Montague: Andrew Abramowitz at [email protected] or (215) 875-3015 or Caitlin Adorni at [email protected] or (267) 764- 4865 or by visiting our website.
About Berger Montague
Berger Montague is one of the nation's preeminent law firms focusing on complex civil litigation, class actions, and mass torts in federal and state courts throughout the United States. With more than $2.4 billion in 2025 post-trial judgments alone, the Firm is a leader in the fields of complex litigation, antitrust, consumer protection, defective products, environmental law, employment law, securities, and whistleblower cases, among many other practice areas. For over 55 years, Berger Montague has played leading roles in precedent-setting cases and has recovered over $50 billion for its clients and the classes they have represented. Berger Montague is headquartered in Philadelphia and has offices in Chicago; Malvern, PA; Minneapolis; San Diego; San Francisco; Toronto, Canada; Washington, D.C., and Wilmington, DE.
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Key Takeaways AVAV expands electric and hybrid propulsion capabilities across aircraft design and rapid prototyping.AVAV integrates propulsion development with autonomous aircraft engineering, testing and manufacturing.AVAV's propulsion expertise broadens its capabilities across unmanned and advanced aircraft applications. AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV - Free Report) is strengthening its aircraft technology portfolio by expanding capabilities in electric and hybrid propulsion systems. The company is building on its expertise in advanced propulsion, aerospace prototyping and unmanned aircraft manufacturing to support the development of next-generation aviation platforms. This broader technical base could help AeroVironment address evolving requirements across unmanned and advanced aircraft applications.
The company's propulsion capabilities are supported by facilities focused on aircraft design, propulsion development and rapid prototyping. These operations include work on electric and hybrid propulsion systems, aircraft modifications, sub-scale technology demonstrators and full-scale manufacturing. Such capabilities allow AeroVironment to move more efficiently from early-stage aircraft concepts toward production-ready systems while improving its ability to test and refine new technologies.
A stronger propulsion platform can also complement AeroVironment's existing expertise in autonomous and unmanned systems. Integrating propulsion development with aircraft engineering, testing and manufacturing can provide greater control over the development process while supporting the company's ability to customize platforms for changing mission requirements. This integrated approach could also help streamline development timelines and improve platform flexibility.
As demand grows for more efficient and adaptable unmanned aircraft, electric and hybrid propulsion could become increasingly important across next-generation defense platforms. AeroVironment's expanding propulsion and manufacturing capabilities position the company to support evolving aircraft requirements while broadening its technological base and creating additional opportunities for future growth.
Companies Advancing Aircraft Propulsion CapabilitiesThe aerospace and defense industry continues developing more efficient propulsion technologies for unmanned and advanced aircraft. Companies like Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS - Free Report) and Joby Aviation, Inc. (JOBY - Free Report) are also advancing propulsion technologies for next-generation aircraft applications.
Kratos develops propulsion and flight technologies that support unmanned and high-performance defense systems.
Joby Aviation is developing electric propulsion systems for its eVTOL aircraft, integrating the powertrain with its broader aircraft architecture.
Earnings Estimates for AVAV StockThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2027 earnings per share suggests a year-over-year decline of 1.51%, and for fiscal 2028, estimates indicate growth of 29.45%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AVAV Stock Is Trading at a DiscountAeroVironment is trading at a discount relative to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-sales of 3.81X compared with the industry average of 8.77X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AVAV Stock Price PerformanceOver the past three months, AVAV shares have climbed 5.9% compared with the industry’s 0.9% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AVAV’s Zacks RankAeroVironment currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - August 20, 2026) - Grabar Law Office is investigating claims on behalf of shareholders of AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).
What is This Investigation About? The investigation concerns whether certain officers and directors breached the fiduciary duties they owed to the company.
If you purchased AeroVironment, Inc (NASDAQ: AVAV) shares before June 24, 2025, and still hold shares today, you can seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court approved incentive award at no cost to you whatsoever. Please visit https://grabarlaw.com/the-latest/aerovironment-shareholder-investigation/, contact Joshua Grabar at [email protected], or call 267-507-6085.
What is Alleged? According to a recently filed securities fraud class action Complaint, AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), through certain of its senior officers and directors, repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Space Force's Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program and Broad Area Deployable Ground Terminal Enabling Resilient Communications ("BADGER") systems to the Company's future growth while failing to adequately disclose material risks concerning AeroVironment's continued participation in the program. It is alleged that Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed adequately disclose, among other things, that: (1) AeroVironment's continued participation in the SCAR program and its ability to produce BADGER systems were not guaranteed; (2) AeroVironment faced a substantial risk of competition from other defense contractors for work associated with SCAR and the U.S. Space Force's modernization efforts; (3) the Company faced risks that could cause it to lose some or all of the anticipated revenue associated with SCAR; (4) AeroVironment allegedly overstated the security of its continued relationship with the U.S. Space Force and the SCAR program; and (5) the Company allegedly failed to maintain adequate internal controls and risk-oversight mechanisms.
What Can You Do Now? If you purchased AeroVironment, Inc (NASDAQ: AVAV) shares before June 24, 2025, and still hold shares today, you are encouraged to visit https://grabarlaw.com/the-latest/aerovironment-shareholder-investigation/, contact Joshua Grabar at [email protected], or call 267-507-6085. You can seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court approved incentive award at no cost to you whatsoever.
#AVAV #AeroVironment $AVAV
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The war in Ukraine taught the U.S. Army many lessons, including the value of drone technology, and AeroVironment NASDAQ: AVAV is well-positioned to benefit.
While enemies struggle to get materiel in place, AVAV's drones are in the sky, hunting them down in real time and providing actionable intelligence and the resulting action, as evidenced by the term Loitering Munitions System (LMS).
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The critical benefit of this technology is that the men and women operating it stay far from danger while reaching military objectives.
AeroVironment Today
$172.27 -1.87 (-1.07%)
As of 11:37 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
$135.20▼
$417.86$266.68
The key takeaway for investors is that AeroVironment is emerging from a transitional year and is poised for sustained strength in the coming years.
The company has a solid portfolio of defense franchises, a massive backlog, and government protections that benefit the entire industry.
With $1.2 billion in funded backlog, AeroVironment only needs to execute on its orders to outperform its guidance, and the guidance is robust.
Backed by recent acquisitions, including BlueHalo, the company has transitioned into a comprehensive defense contractor focused on autonomous systems, space, cyber, and directed energy.
AeroVironment Has Numerous Catalysts in 2026Directed energy is a catalyst for drone stocks this year, as it is central to counter-drone technology. The concept is simple: drone systems detect and locate incoming attacks, then neutralize them with directed-energy pulses and lasers. AeroVironment’s contributions include its LOCUST Laser Weapon System and Halo-Shield. LOCUST is a ground-based device that detects and neutralizes incoming drones; Halo-Shield is a highly effective, grid-based counter-drone system that can be deployed across domains, including land and sea, and incorporates features such as unmanned aircraft and LOCUST counter-drone technology.
Another catalyst for AVAV is a new partnership with Applied Intuition. Applied Intuition's technology enables AeroVironment’s Mayhem 10 aircraft to operate as a swarm, controlled by a single operator. The setup supports numerous configurations, including hunter-killer scenarios in which a surveillance-equipped drone is paired with an LMS. In this setup, operators can find and eliminate targets in real time, doing jobs once handled by teams of pilots in multimillion-dollar helicopters. AVAV drones cost just thousands at the low end and well below $1 million at the high end, creating an obvious cost differential that cannot be ignored.
AeroVironment Analysts and Institutions Signal Upside PotentialAnalyst activity since AeroVironment’s earnings release and guidance update for its fiscal Q4 has been lackluster, as they had expected the report to be strong.
However, as tepid as the several price target reductions appear, they were offset by more reaffirmed ratings, and the general sentiment underscores the opportunity. More importantly, the activity strengthened AVAV’s price floor, with the low end unchanged at $166, aligning with the critical support target. With consensus forecasting a 50% upside, the only thing lacking for this market to complete its reversal is a solid catalyst, and one of those, if not more, is rolling down the pipe.
Analysts at Piper Sandler found signals in commentary from an industry event this summer. In their view, those signals point to active negotiations for AeroVironment’s LOCUST systems that may result in an order. They estimate the deal at about $500 million, a significant win for the company.
Institutional activity is another signal highlighting AVAV’s opportunity. Institutions show strong confidence in AVAV's outlook, owning more than 85% of the stock and accumulating aggressively. MarketBeat data shows buying outpacing selling by more than $2 to $1 over the trailing 12 months, with activity ramping in 2026. Early Q3 activity is particularly robust, with institutions setting an all-time high for buying—half the quarter still to go and virtually no selling.
AeroVironment Stock Nears a Key Technical Reversal LevelWith this in place, investors can assume AVAV shares have a solid floor near $140, will likely be bought on dips, produce rebounds when support targets are reached, and complete their technical reversal in time. The critical resistance level is the top of the recent trading range, near $200 on the weekly chart, and a likely trigger for capital inflow if it breaks.
AVAV’s biggest risks include margin pressures and lawsuits linked to the lost SCAR contract. Margins were weaker than expected due to increased R&D, an expense that has been paying off in many ways. The lost SCAR contract isn’t an operational challenge anymore, but it is a problem for early investors.
The company faces class-action lawsuits alleging false statements that will impact cash flow with legal fees and bad PR for the foreseeable future. The impairment to the balance sheet is also substantial, though non-cash. Given time, the company will recover—and that recovery is already underway. The balance sheet provides little cause for worry, although the impact of acquisitions is clearly visible.
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In the latest close session, AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) was down 3.86% at $174.14. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.69%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.22%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 1.33%.
Shares of the maker of unmanned aircrafts have appreciated by 27.02% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Aerospace sector's gain of 8.2%, and the S&P 500's gain of 3.96%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of AeroVironment in its forthcoming earnings report. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.34, marking a 6.25% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $474.57 million, up 4.38% from the prior-year quarter.
In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $3.26 per share and a revenue of $2.17 billion, indicating changes of -1.51% and +9.78%, respectively, from the former year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for AeroVironment. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. At present, AeroVironment boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
Investors should also note AeroVironment's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 55.56. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 36.84 for its industry.
We can also see that AVAV currently has a PEG ratio of 6.16. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The Aerospace - Defense Equipment was holding an average PEG ratio of 2.49 at yesterday's closing price.
The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 42, which puts it in the top 18% of all 250+ industries.
The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
Drone stocks held up remarkably well during Tuesday’s Nasdaq sell-off. Red Cat Holdings (NASDAQ:RCAT) closed down 2%, Ondas Holdings (NASDAQ:ONDS) finished up 1%, essentially flat, while AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV | AVAV Price Prediction) fell roughly 4% to around $174.
Let’s review trading during in especially wild market day.
Defense Names Sidestep the AI Hardware Rout Today’s action told a clean story about where revenue comes from. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) closed down roughly 5% as AI hardware, memory, optics and neocloud names took double-digit hits in some cases. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (NYSEARCA:ITA) closed up 0.38%. Drone stocks sit on the defense side of that ledger.
Their revenue is tied to government procurement budgets and program awards, not hyperscaler AI capex. The FY 2027 President’s Budget requested $413.1 billion in procurement and $343.7 billion in RDT&E, and the budget explicitly carves out $20.6 billion for one-way attack, counter small UAS, and related programs, plus $4.5 billion to develop autonomous systems operating collaboratively at scale. That is the demand curve behind these names, and it does not depend on Alphabet, Meta or Oracle building another data center.
AeroVironment Is the Outlier No company-specific catalyst was identifiable for AVAV today. The likely explanation is profit-taking. The stock had run roughly 27% over the past month, which makes it more vulnerable when broader risk-off flows hit the market. It also carries the largest market cap of the three at roughly $9.76 billion and the highest institutional ownership at 88.4%, so institutional trims move the price harder.
The longer arc still looks heavy. AVAV is down roughly 25% year to date and down about 27% over the past year, well off the 52-week high of $418. Wall Street is still supportive of the stock, with an average analyst target of $226.
Red Cat and Ondas Show Their Momentum Red Cat has been the runaway leader among small-cap drone names. Shares are up roughly 37% over the past month and 32% year to date, supported by a reaffirmed FY26 revenue target of $150 million to $180 million. Q2 FY26 revenue landed at $20.19 million, up 527% year over year, missing the $23 million consensus. Shares closed down 2% today. Considering the performance of most growth stocks today, that’s an admirable performance.
Ondas is the more interesting technical setup. The stock closed up roughly 38% over the past month, is up 133% over the past year, but remains down about 8% year to date. The company raised its FY26 revenue target to at least $390 million, roughly 670% growth. Ondas dropped 7% after earnings earlier this session despite stellar earnings. Its slight gain today is interesting as few momentum stocks survived the day with gains.
What to Watch The 30-year Treasury hit a 19-year high today, and the WSJ estimates nine top tech companies have roughly $3 trillion of off-balance-sheet AI commitments. If the AI capex trade continues to wobble, defense-linked drone names could keep acting as a rotation destination. I would watch whether ITA extends its lead over SOXX into Wednesday’s open, and whether AVAV can find support near its 50-day moving average of $163.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--(Newsfile Corp. - August 18, 2026) - Grabar Law Office is investigating claims on behalf of shareholders of AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV).
What is This Investigation About? The investigation concerns whether certain officers and directors breached the fiduciary duties they owed to the company.
If you purchased AeroVironment, Inc (NASDAQ: AVAV) shares before June 24, 2025, and still hold shares today, you can seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court approved incentive award at no cost to you whatsoever. Please visit https://grabarlaw.com/the-latest/aerovironment-shareholder-investigation/, contact Joshua Grabar at [email protected], or call 267-507-6085.
What is Alleged? According to a recently filed securities fraud class action Complaint, AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), through certain of its senior officers and directors, repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Space Force's Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource ("SCAR") program and Broad Area Deployable Ground Terminal Enabling Resilient Communications ("BADGER") systems to the Company's future growth while failing to adequately disclose material risks concerning AeroVironment's continued participation in the program. It is alleged that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, it is alleged that Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed adequately disclose, among other things, that:
AeroVironment's continued participation in the SCAR program and its ability to produce BADGER systems were not guaranteed;AeroVironment faced a substantial risk of competition from other defense contractors for work associated with SCAR and the U.S. Space Force's modernization efforts;the Company faced risks that could cause it to lose some or all of the anticipated revenue associated with SCAR;AeroVironment allegedly overstated the security of its continued relationship with the U.S. Space Force and the SCAR program; andthe Company allegedly failed to maintain adequate internal controls and risk-oversight mechanisms.What Can You Do Now? If you purchased AeroVironment, Inc (NASDAQ: AVAV) shares before June 24, 2025, and still hold shares today, you are encouraged to visit https://grabarlaw.com/the-latest/aerovironment-shareholder-investigation/, contact Joshua Grabar at [email protected], or call 267-507-6085. You can seek corporate reforms, the return of funds back to the company, and a court approved incentive award at no cost to you whatsoever.
#AVAV #AeroVironment $AVAV
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New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - August 18, 2026) - Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally recognized investor rights law firm, announces that it is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by certain directors and officers of AeroViroment, Inc. ("AeroVironment" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AVAV). The investigation seeks to determine whether the Company's leadership fulfilled its obligations to shareholders and whether legal remedies may be available.
Current AeroVironment Shareholders Are Encouraged to Contact the Firm
Do you currently own shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV)?Did you purchase your shares before June 25, 2025?Would you like to learn more about your legal rights as a shareholder?Why Is Bernstein Liebhard Investigating?
Bernstein Liebhard is investigating whether certain directors and officers of AeroVironment breached the fiduciary duties they owed to the Company and its shareholders. The investigation is focused on determining whether Company leadership acted in the best interests of shareholders and whether additional legal action may be appropriate based on publicly available information.
What Shareholders Should Do
If you currently own AeroVironment stock and would like to discuss your legal rights or obtain additional information regarding the investigation, please visit the firm's AeroVironment Shareholder Investigation page or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected] for a confidential consultation.
About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
For more than three decades, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has represented investors in complex securities and shareholder litigation. Since 1993, the firm has recovered more than $3.5 billion for its clients and has been retained by many of the nation's largest public and private pension funds to monitor investments and pursue claims on behalf of investors.
The firm's accomplishments include recognition on The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and inclusion in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years, reflecting its longstanding commitment to protecting shareholder rights.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/310255
Source: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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AeroVironment stock has rebounded to a crucial resistance level as traders waited for the upcoming earnings, which will shed more color on its growth amid the rising competition in the drone industry. AVAV jumped to $200, its highest swing on July 20th this year.
AeroVironment stock is trading at depressed levels. Where are AVAV shares going?
Trump’s Drone Tariffs Lift the SectorNew import restrictions on foreign-made drones drove a premarket rally across U.S. drone manufacturers Friday, as the Trump administration works to reduce the country’s reliance on unmanned aircraft built overseas.
Trump signed a proclamation Thursday putting steep tariffs on imported unmanned aircraft systems and their components, aiming to strengthen the domestic supply chain. The order sets a 100% tariff on drones weighing more than 25 kilograms or built with capabilities the administration deems particularly sensitive for national security, including thermal imaging and docking stations.
Drones and components from allied countries get a lighter rate. The European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan face a 15% tariff, while imports from the United Kingdom carry a 10% rate, so long as nearly all of the hardware, software and underlying technology comes from the U.K. or the U.S.
AVAV’s Chart Shows an Improving but Incomplete RecoveryThat policy backdrop is playing out against a stock that is still working to repair a longer-term downtrend on the charts. Shares are trading 14.8% above their 20-day moving average of $165.56, 16.5% above their 50-day average of $163.16 and 9.2% above their 100-day average of $174.15, a signal that the intermediate bounce has traction.
Traders are watching $200.50 as resistance, a round-number level where rebounds have tended to stall, and $175 as support, a level tied to a recent pivot zone near the 100-day moving average. Whether the stock can hold higher lows if it pulls back from resistance may determine whether the recovery continues or fades back toward the mid-$170s.
AVAV Shares Are ClimbingAVAV Price Action: AeroVironment shares were up 2.36% at $193.90 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro.
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Unusual Machines (NYSE:UMAC) stock is soaring 22% to $33.24 midday Friday, leading a scattered rally in domestic drone names. The catalyst was President Trump signing a proclamation Thursday imposing tariffs on imported drones and unmanned aircraft parts, citing national security.
Red Cat Holdings (NASDAQ:RCAT) shares are climbing 8% to $11.02, while Ondas Holdings (NASDAQ:ONDS) stock is rising 4% to $9.27. The reaction thins out quickly from there.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV | AVAV Price Prediction) shares are up 1% to $191.26 and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) stock is up 2% to $64.29. That’s a 20 point spread between the top mover and more established players on identical news.
What Trump’s Drone Proclamation Actually Does
The proclamation followed a Commerce Department investigation under the Trade Expansion Act which concluded that foreign-made drones and parts had gained substantial ground while domestic manufacturers lack the capacity to meet military, government and commercial demand. The White House said the program “will protect the national security of the United States and its defense and defense-adjacent industrial base, supporting and creating American jobs.”
The tariffs are tiered: a 100% duty applies to larger drones weighing more than 25 kilograms, thermal-imaging drones, docking stations and certain key parts, while 25% applies to smaller drones lacking sensitive capabilities and additional components. Products from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan face 15%, and qualifying U.K. products where all hardware, software and technology originates in the U.S. or those designated countries face 10%.
The timing matters here. Most of the tariffs take effect 21 days after the proclamation, and duties on less-sensitive components generally carry a 180-day delay, so nothing hits company revenue immediately. The proclamation also authorizes the Commerce Secretary to establish an onshoring initiative encouraging investment in new U.S. drone and component facilities.
Why the Reaction Is So Uneven
The market is pricing exposure to import competition rather than defense spending generally. Unusual Machines makes NDAA-compliant drone components such as motors, flight controllers, cameras and video gear, competing directly against imported parts now facing a 25% duty. Donald Trump Jr. joined the company’s advisory board in 2024 and backed it, per Axios.
Red Cat builds tactical military drones through Teal Drones and FlightWave plus autonomous maritime systems through Blue Ops. The company missed on both lines on August 6, reporting fiscal Q2 2026 revenue of $20.19 million against a $22.58 million consensus and a GAAP loss of $0.26 per share against a $0.17 estimate. Furthermore, Red Cat’s revenue rose 527% year over year, cash sat at $325.55 million, and the full-year target of $150 million to $180 million was reaffirmed.
Ondas spans drones, counter-UAS, ground robotics, secure communications and stratospheric platforms, so tariff benefits are more diffuse. Meanwhile, AeroVironment and Kratos already sell heavily to the Pentagon, so import protection changes less for them. Kratos beat on August 4 with adjusted EPS of $0.21 against $0.15 and revenue of $458.8 million against $411.33 million, raising full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $1.75 billion to $1.81 billion.
ETFs and the Prime Contractor Drag
The REX Drone ETF (NASDAQ:DRNZ) shares are up only 1% to $23.99 on a day when the sector’s headline mover is up 22%. The reason is visible in the Global X Defense Tech ETF (NYSEARCA:SHLD), whose latest N-PORT filing shows how prime-heavy defense baskets are built.
As of May 31, SHLD held Kratos at 1.81% of net assets, AeroVironment at 1.32% and Red Cat at 0.26%. By contrast, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) sat at 8.42%, RTX (NYSE:RTX) at 7.76%, General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) at 7.67% and Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ:PLTR) at 7.07%. The fund’s net assets stood at $7.99 billion, and the weightings may have shifted since May 31.
Small drone names are a thin slice of these portfolios. Broad defense funds may barely register even if a component maker’s market capitalization surges.
What Investors Can Watch Next
Investors can watch for whether the 21-day and 180-day effective dates slip or get modified, and whether the Commerce onshoring initiative produces actual facility commitments. Tariffs raise competitors’ costs, yet they don’t by themselves create domestic manufacturing capacity.
The valuation bar is high on the leader. Unusual Machines stock had already more than doubled year to date before Friday’s spike, up 114% through Thursday’s close, so the tariff news is landing on a name that priced in much of the domestic-supply narrative.
Traders can also watch for whether the prime players’ lagging year-to-date performance closes the gap or the speculative small caps keep leading. Kratos stock was down 17% year to date and AeroVironment shares were down 22% through Thursday, an unusual setup heading into a policy tailwind.
As you can see, one policy headline is fueling very different reactions across the drone group. A cautious approach makes sense given how much the pure-play names have already run.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Drone stocks rallied on Friday after President Donald Trump announced import tariffs in an effort to boost U.S. manufacturing and protect national security.
Unusual Machines popped 15%, while Red Cat rallied about 7%. Aerovironment and Kratos also climbed.
"U.S. drone production needs to be expanded rapidly to ensure U.S. national and economic security," the White House wrote in a release, adding that outsourcing parts poses major security and cybersecurity concerns.
The White House said the tariffs will create new jobs, while protecting U.S. national security and the defense industrial base.
The directive subjects large drones with "sensitive" military capabilities like thermal imaging to a 100% tariff and smaller drones lacking capabilities to a 25% levy. Trump slapped a 15% tariff on drones and parts from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan, and 10% on those from the U.K.
Unusual Machines, which makes drones and drone components, added the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., to its advisory board in November 2024. Trump Jr. held 331,580 shares in the company as of Nov. 27, 2024.
Read more CNBC tech newsAnthropic CFO Krishna Rao is leading early IPO meetings with investors and has not discussed valuation, sources sayAn inside look at SK Hynix $720 billion AI-fueled buildout that's taking over South KoreaDatabricks wraps $5 billion funding round at $190 billion valuationMeta and Nvidia plant 'very firm flag' in open-weight AI race led by Chinese LabsThe U.S. is seeking to scale drone production on U.S. soil and reduce its reliance on outsourcing parts, especially from China, which has long dominated the drone market.
The efforts come as part of Trump's broader plans to reindustrialize the U.S. military and scale defense capabilities.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration launched the more than $1 billion drone dominance program aimed at scaling U.S. manufacturing of small, low-cost drones. The second stage of that project is slated to begin this month.
Geopolitical risks abroad and the war in Iran have highlighted the need for lower-cost weapons to combat. For 2027, the Trump administration is asking for a record $1.5 trillion defense budget. As part of that budget, the Department of Defense is looking for a historic $75 billion for drones.
The tariffs will go into effect within 21 days. For drones and parts that are not "particularly sensitive," the duties will happen in 180 days. The order also allows the Department of Commerce to launch an onshoring program to help companies looking to invest in drones in the U.S.
Key Takeaways AVAV surged 35.1% in a month, outpacing its industry and the sector.AVAV secured a $117.3M U.S. Army P550 contract and a new autonomous systems partnership.AVAV has strong liquidity and sales growth prospects, but trades at a premium valuation. AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV - Free Report) stock has gained 35.1% in the past month, outpacing both the Zacks Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry’s growth of 3.9% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector’s gain of 6.8%. It also came above the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s return of 2% in the same time frame.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Other industry players, such as Teledyne Technologies (TDY - Free Report) and Astronics Corporation (ATRO - Free Report) , have also delivered a similar stellar performance in the past month. Shares of TDY and ATRO have risen 10.2% and 21.3%, respectively, in the said period.
With AVAV’s stock recently gaining momentum, some investors may be inclined to buy the shares quickly. However, it is important to determine whether the company’s fundamentals can support sustained long-term growth or whether the recent rally may be short-lived. Assessing AVAV’s growth prospects and potential risks can help investors make a more informed investment decision.
Tailwinds for AVAVAVAV’s recent share gains appear to be supported by strong demand for its autonomous and unmanned defense technologies, along with new partnerships and contract wins. In July 2026, the company entered into a strategic teaming agreement with Applied Intuition to expand uncrewed teaming capabilities for the U.S. military and its allies.
As part of the agreement, Applied Intuition’s Acuity ISR/Strike software will be integrated with AVAV’s Mayhem 10 launched effects system. The combined solution is expected to support autonomous hunter-killer and swarm operations, allowing multiple systems to work together with limited operator involvement in contested environments. The partnership could strengthen AVAV’s capabilities in autonomous warfare and improve its position in the growing market for advanced unmanned systems.
Also in July 2026, AVAV received a $117.3 million contract from the U.S. Army for its P550 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aerial system under the Army’s Long Range Reconnaissance program. The award reflects the Army’s increasing focus on scalable and adaptable unmanned technologies for modern warfare. The contract also provides AVAV with an opportunity to expand the use of its P550 platform and strengthen its relationship with the U.S. military.
Together, the partnership and contract win highlight continued demand for AVAV’s autonomous defense solutions and could support growth in its future business.
Estimates for AVAV’s Sales & EarningsThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for AVAV’s fiscal 2027 sales implies year-over-year growth of 9.8%, while estimates for fiscal 2028 sales indicate an improvement of 15.8%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The stock’s annual bottom-line estimates have moved south over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ValuationIn terms of valuation, AVAV’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) is 54.81X, a premium to the industry average of 41.94X. This suggests that investors will be paying a higher price than the company's expected earnings growth compared with its industry average.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Risks to Consider Before Choosing AVAVAeroVironment faces several industry-specific challenges that could weigh on its operations and growth. Labor shortages could limit production capacity, delay contract deliveries and make it more difficult for the company to meet customer requirements on time.
Supply-chain disruptions also remain a concern, as shortages or delays in critical components could interrupt manufacturing, raise costs and affect the timely delivery of its systems. Industry peers such as Teledyne Technologies and Astronics face similar labor and supply-chain pressures, highlighting the broader challenges affecting aerospace and defense manufacturers.
Liquidity Position of AVAVAVAV has a current ratio of 4.30. The ratio, being more than one, indicates that AVAV possesses sufficient capital to pay off its short-term debt obligations.
Its industry peers, Teledyne Technologies and Astronics, also maintain current ratios above one. TDY has a current ratio of 2.18, while ATRO holds 2.97.
Wrapping UpConsidering AeroVironment’s premium valuation compared with its industry, investors interested in this stock should wait for a better entry point. However, given the company’s strong growth potential and solid liquidity position, current shareholders may consider holding the stock.
AVAV currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) closed at $193.81 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.13% move from the prior day. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.26%. Meanwhile, the Dow lost 0.04%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.54%.
Heading into today, shares of the maker of unmanned aircrafts had gained 36.63% over the past month, outpacing the Aerospace sector's gain of 4.77% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.13%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of AeroVironment in its upcoming release. On that day, AeroVironment is projected to report earnings of $0.34 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 6.25%. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $474.57 million, indicating a 4.38% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $3.26 per share and a revenue of $2.17 billion, signifying shifts of -1.51% and +9.78%, respectively, from the last year.
Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for AeroVironment. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 4% lower. At present, AeroVironment boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, AeroVironment is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 60.13. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 35.98.
Meanwhile, AVAV's PEG ratio is currently 6.67. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.53.
The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 50, positioning it in the top 21% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our individual industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.
The U.S. military has depleted much of its stockpile of long-range missiles during its five-month conflict with Iran, raising concerns about readiness for future conflicts, according to CNBC analysis. The rapid consumption of military defense inventories has exposed structural bottlenecks across the defense sector. This signals that replenishing stockpiles will require substantial procurement from defense contractors. Aerospace and defense ETFs provide exposure to the companies tasked with rebuilding these critical defense reserves.
Key Takeaways Prolonged military conflicts have significantly depleted U.S. missile and interceptor stockpiles. Therefore, there may be a surge in procurement contracts for major defense suppliers like Lockheed Martin and RTX Corporation. Broad aerospace and defense ETFs such as the State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) and the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) allow investors to capture this growing multi-billion-dollar industry. High missile production costs and fast utilization rates are potentially prompting military planners to look toward cheaper, scalable alternatives. That means thematic funds like the REX Drone ETF (DRNZ) can be a direct play on next-generation warfare technologies. The Scale of U.S. Defense Spending Government agencies like the Department of Defense acquire military missiles from these firms through multi-billion dollar production contracts. The U.S. government is rapidly increasing defense spending, highlighted by a record $1.07 trillion Pentagon funding bill advanced by the House of Representatives in June. However, the bill must receive Senate and presidential approval before it can officially go into effect. The exact timeline for when the Senate vote will occur remains uncertain.
Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin (LMT) and RTX Corporation (RTX) command a large majority of U.S. military missile development and production. Lockheed Martin supplies the U.S. government an assortment of missiles. These range from the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) air defense missiles to tactical precision-strike missiles such as the Hellfire (AGM-114). Similarly, RTX Corporation is contracted to produce tactical and air defense missiles, including the Tomahawk and Patriot (GEM-T).
Missile Exposure Through Defense ETFs For investors seeking broad exposure to these defense contractors, aerospace & defense ETFs offer a direct route. The iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) provides market-cap weighted exposure to U.S. companies in the aerospace and defense sector. Tracking the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index, a 22.5% cap is placed on any individual holding at each rebalance. ITA maintains concentrated exposure across top holdings with GE Aerospace (GE) and RTX Corporation collectively accounting for 38.52% of total assets. The fund has gained 16.95% year to date with inflows of $30.24 million over the same period.
Similarly, the Invesco Aerospace & Defense ETF (PPA) provides exposure to U.S. companies in the industrials, aerospace, and defense sectors, with a 10% cap on individual holdings at each quarterly rebalance. The fund tracks the SPADE Defense Index, with top holdings including RTX Corporation at a 8.17% weight and Boeing (BA) at a 7.07% weight. PPA has climbed 17.45% in 2026 with inflows of $642.89 million.
The State Street SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) provides equal-weighted exposure to U.S. companies in the aerospace and defense sector. The fund tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry with top holdings including VSE Corporation (VSEC) at 3.37% of total assets and RTX corporation at 3.26%. XAR has gained 18.97% and has received $907.04 million in new assets so far in 2026.
See More: ETF Prime: Defense ETFs Draw Billions Amid Global Tensions
Investing in the Future of Defense The current missile supply concerns could potentially accelerate a broader shift towards cheaper and more scalable alternatives. Given the high utilization of drones and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems in Ukraine, the U.S. military may pair missile production with lower-cost alternatives like autonomous systems. The REX Drone ETF (DRNZ) provides targeted exposure to the global drone and UAV industry, focusing primarily on companies involved in defense and commercial applications.
See More: REX Drone ETF DRNZ Glides Past $100 Million AUM Goalpost
Tracking the VettaFi Drone Index, DRNZ allocates 80% of assets to pure-play companies who derive a majority of revenue from drones or UAV-enabling technology. The remaining 20% targets diversified companies, including defense firms with designated UAV divisions. The fund’s top holdings include AeroVironment (AVAV) at a 14.32% weight and Ondas (ONDS) at a 12.78% portfolio weight. DRNZ has returned 8.23% over the course of the year, while receiving $112.11 million in new assets over the same period.
For more news, information, and analysis visit the Thematic Investing Content Hub.
VettaFi LLC (“VettaFi”) is the index provider for DRNZ which it receives an index licensing fee. However, DRNZ is not issued, sponsored, endorsed, or sold by VettaFi, and VettaFi has no obligation or liability in connection with the issuance, administration, marketing, or trading of DRNZ.
NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP , a nationally recognized investor rights law firm, announces that it is investigating potential breaches of fiduciary duty by certain directors and officers of AeroVironment, Inc. (“AeroVironment” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AVAV). The investigation seeks to determine whether the Company's leadership fulfilled its obligations to shareholders and whether legal remedies may be available.
When shipping lanes around Iran become combat zones, the world is reminded that modern militaries still run on some very old fundamentals: munitions, sensors, and logistics. Recent attacks and closures in the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea have underscored how thin global defense supply has become, especially for drones, precision weapons, and artillery shells.
That stress does not just move oil prices. It can reshape the outlook for a handful of defense contractors that have been quietly scaling up for exactly this kind of environment.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. AeroVironment: Filling the small‑drone gap If you watch footage from contested regions, you see many small, lethal drones. AeroVironment (AVAV +9.12%) is one of the companies behind that reality. In February 2026, the company announced a $186 million U.S. Army order for its Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20 loitering munitions, under a five‑year contract with a $990 million ceiling, first awarded in 2024. These systems are designed to let small units destroy armored vehicles and key targets without calling in larger missiles or aircraft.
For investors, that tells you two things. First, the U.S. is not treating loitering munitions as a niche experiment. The Army is rolling them into its core toolkit with multiyear funding and export support to allies. Second, AeroVironment is now on the hook to deliver at scale, which can deepen customer relationships but also test its own supply chain and manufacturing. The upside is clear in an era when U.S. Central Command talks about nightly drone and missile strikes around Hormuz and the Red Sea. The risk is that any production stumble or integration delay could sour confidence at a time when demand is hot, and alternatives are emerging.
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15.61
Current Price
$
186.73
2. L3Harris: Sensors, communications, and missile capacity Where AeroVironment focuses on the trigger, L3Harris Technologies (LHX -0.99%) helps militaries see, talk, and coordinate. Its latest results show a company already busy trying to close some of the supply gaps that current tensions have exposed. In the first quarter of 2026, L3Harris reported orders of $7.8 billion and a book‑to‑bill ratio of 1.4, pushing backlog to a record $40.7 billion. By the second quarter, backlog had climbed again to $42 billion on $7.3 billion of new orders and an 8% revenue increase to $5.9 billion.
Behind those numbers is a lot of hardware. In its annual report, L3Harris outlined roughly $2 billion in commitments to expand missile production capacity, including facilities, equipment, and supply chain upgrades. That is not just about more weapons. It is about hardening the industrial base so that when corners of the world flare, commanders are not told the shelves are empty. I see that as a quiet but important response to what we are watching in the Gulf: sustained operations draining inventories faster than factories can refill them.
The downside here is similar to other defense primes. Large backlogs can tempt management into overpromising, and missile programs are politically sensitive. Budget cycles, elections, and shifting threat perceptions can all slow or reroute planned spending even when the underlying need looks obvious.
Today's Change
(
-0.99
%) $
-2.86
Current Price
$
286.67
What this means for investors To me, these two companies sit at key choke points in the defense supply chain that current tensions with Iran have brought into relief: AeroVironment in small precision-strike systems and L3Harris in communications and missile capabilities. Neither of them is a pure bet on a single conflict. Their contracts and backlogs stretch across multiple theaters and customers.
That is the good news. The harder part is sizing any investment. These stocks can benefit from heightened tensions, but they also ride political cycles, budget arguments, and long procurement timelines. If you are looking to express a view that defense supply gaps exposed in Hormuz and the Red Sea will finally push governments to pay up for munitions, sensors, and shells, these names belong on the watch list. Just make sure they sit within a broader portfolio, not as your only bet on a world that feels less stable by the week.
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lessened its position in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV – Free Report) by 46.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 86,624 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after selling 76,380 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned 0.17% of AeroVironment worth $15,857,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AVAV. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its position in AeroVironment by 90.0% in the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 133 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 63 shares during the last quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its position in AeroVironment by 73.8% in the 4th quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 139 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Finally, National Bank of Canada FI boosted its stake in AeroVironment by 230.3% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 109 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.38% of the company’s stock.
AeroVironment Stock Performance Shares of AVAV stock opened at $186.73 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -50.74, a PEG ratio of 5.82 and a beta of 1.41. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $163.19 and a 200 day moving average of $199.96. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 52 week low of $135.20 and a 52 week high of $417.86. The company has a quick ratio of 3.59, a current ratio of 4.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.
AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV – Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $555.97 million. AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 9.00% and a positive return on equity of 3.71%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 133.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.61 EPS. AeroVironment has set its FY 2027 guidance at 3.020-3.340 EPS. As a group, research analysts expect that AeroVironment, Inc. will post 3.26 earnings per share for the current year.
Analyst Ratings Changes AVAV has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Zacks Research upgraded shares of AeroVironment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Royal Bank Of Canada lowered shares of AeroVironment from an “outperform” rating to a “sector perform” rating and lowered their price objective for the stock from $210.00 to $180.00 in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “sell (d)” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a report on Monday, June 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $305.00 to $229.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $315.00 to $220.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have assigned a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $266.68.
Read Our Latest Report on AeroVironment
Key Headlines Impacting AeroVironment Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:
Positive Sentiment: The U.S. Army is expected to purchase at least $400 million of AeroVironment’s anti-drone laser systems, according to a person familiar with the matter. The reported order would represent the Pentagon’s first production purchase of a directed-energy counter-drone system beyond the prototype stage, potentially validating the technology and creating a meaningful new revenue opportunity. US Army to Spend $400 Million on AeroVironment Anti-Drone Lasers Positive Sentiment: Investor attention is also focused on the potential for laser-based counter-drone weapons to move from testing into broader military deployment. Such an expansion could strengthen AeroVironment’s position in the growing counter-UAS market and support longer-term defense-contract momentum. AVAV Stock Jumps on Reported Army Deal Positive Sentiment: AeroVironment appointed Michael D. Ruppert to its board. His more than 25 years of aerospace and defense financial, strategic and corporate-development experience—including his role as ManTech’s chief financial officer—could add relevant industry and governance expertise. AeroVironment Appoints Michael D. Ruppert to Board Neutral Sentiment: A promotional investor article highlighted AeroVironment as a leading drone-industry company benefiting from rising military demand, autonomous systems, and increased defense budgets. The commentary supports the sector narrative but does not provide a new contract, financial forecast, or company-specific operating update. The Drone Supercycle Wall Street Still Hasn’t Priced In Insider Activity at AeroVironment In other news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total value of $43,602.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 49,001 shares in the company, valued at $8,546,264.41. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.
AeroVironment Profile (Free Report)
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.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than AeroVironment Datadog’s Drop Says More About Expectations Than Earnings D-Wave’s Quantum Breakthrough Couldn’t Save QBTS From a Sell-Off Cloudflare’s Beat-and-Raise Quarter Puts Its AI Edge Story in Focus Solventum Nears Inflection Point As It Begins to Unlock Value Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVAV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV – Free Report).
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AVAV daily chart shows reclaim of 100-day moving average. Source: TradingView Daily Confirmation Raises the Bar On the daily chart, the 100-day moving average was reclaimed on Friday, with the session ending in the first daily close above that average since it last failed as support in January. Signs of strength on both the weekly and daily charts suggest further upside for AVAV. If that strength persists, the characteristics of pullbacks should provide additional useful information. To further confirm strength, AVAV needs to signal a reversal of the downtrend in its price structure by recovering above the lower swing high at $200.38. That is also a monthly high, currently marking resistance for two months, although August is not yet complete.
$200.38 Becomes the Next Confirmation Level The key initial upside target looks to be the higher swing low from May at $217.77. A recovery of that level would signal a further reversal in the downtrend structure, following an initial reversal signal above the lower swing high from current levels at $200.38. The 200-day moving average, currently near $230.80, also provides an initial upside target. Since it is falling, it may converge with the $200.38 price zone before it is tested. Therefore, the ability to hold the newly reclaimed weekly and daily moving averages during any pullbacks will be important.
If you’d like to know more about technical analysis and how traders use it, please visit our educational area.
AeroVironment, Inc. (âAVâ) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that it has appointed Michael D. Ruppert to its Board of Directors, effective August 5, 2026.Mr. R
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that it has appointed Michael D. Ruppert to its Board of Directors, effective August 5, 2026. Mr. Ruppert brings more than 25 years of financial, strategic and corporate development experience in the aerospace and defense sector to AV. He has served as EVP and Chief Financial Officer of ManTech since 2023 where he leads ManTech's financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, cash management, and.
In the latest close session, AeroVironment (AVAV - Free Report) was up +1.82% at $171.12. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.18%. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.85%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.06%.
Coming into today, shares of the maker of unmanned aircrafts had gained 6.52% in the past month. In that same time, the Aerospace sector gained 1.18%, while the S&P 500 gained 3.33%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of AeroVironment in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $0.34, marking a 6.25% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $474.57 million, indicating a 4.38% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $3.26 per share and revenue of $2.17 billion, indicating changes of -1.51% and +34.77%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for AeroVironment. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 3.92% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. AeroVironment is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.
In terms of valuation, AeroVironment is presently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 51.55. This signifies a premium in comparison to the average Forward P/E of 36.18 for its industry.
One should further note that AVAV currently holds a PEG ratio of 5.72. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry held an average PEG ratio of 2.51.
The Aerospace - Defense Equipment industry is part of the Aerospace sector. This industry, currently bearing a Zacks Industry Rank of 87, finds itself in the top 36% echelons of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
AeroVironment is undervalued despite surging drone demand and a robust defense budget backdrop. AVAV's addressable U.S. defense budget opportunity is under $5 billion, but its backlog and execution position it for strong multi-year growth. I expect a 13% sales CAGR, 20% EBITDA CAGR, and free cash flow turning positive next year, supporting a $214.68 price target (27% upside).
