JPMorgan Chase & Co. Initiates Coverage on AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV)

Equities researchers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat reports. The brokerage set an “overweight” rating and a $320.00 price target on the aerospace company’s stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.‘s price objective indicates a potential upside of 20.55% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the company. Raymond James Financial restated a “strong-buy” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $390.00 price objective on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. BNP Paribas Exane assumed coverage on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Tuesday, November 18th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $355.00 target price for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reduced their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $335.00 to $315.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, KeyCorp boosted their price objective on shares of AeroVironment from $285.00 to $330.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 28th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have issued a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $367.00.

AeroVironment Price Performance

NASDAQ:AVAV opened at $265.46 on Tuesday. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $284.24 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $293.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 5.08 and a quick ratio of 4.29. The company has a market cap of $13.25 billion, a P/E ratio of -212.37, a P/E/G ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 1.23. AeroVironment has a one year low of $102.25 and a one year high of $417.86.

AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, December 9th. The aerospace company reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.87 by ($0.43). AeroVironment had a negative net margin of 5.08% and a positive return on equity of 3.42%. The firm had revenue of $472.51 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $466.16 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.47 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 150.7% compared to the same quarter last year. AeroVironment has set its FY 2026 guidance at 3.400-3.550 EPS. Equities analysts expect that AeroVironment will post 3.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Brian Charles Shackley sold 200 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $250.92, for a total value of $50,184.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 5,994 shares in the company, valued at $1,504,014.48. This trade represents a 3.23% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Stephen F. Page sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $254.95, for a total transaction of $127,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 50,501 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,875,229.95. This trade represents a 0.98% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 4,089 shares of company stock valued at $1,285,160. 0.81% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AeroVironment

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of AVAV. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC grew its stake in AeroVironment by 60.0% during the third quarter. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 30 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Tema Etfs LLC bought a new stake in shares of AeroVironment in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Hilton Head Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of AeroVironment during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its stake in AeroVironment by 100.0% during the third quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. 86.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about AeroVironment

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Positive Sentiment: J.P. Morgan initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $320 price target — a well‑known bank giving a high profile buy thesis can trigger momentum buying and attract institutional flows. AeroVironment Stock Soars As JPMorgan Sets $320 Target
• Positive Sentiment: Several bullish analyst/coverage pieces argue the recent ~30% selloff creates a buying opportunity, highlighting strength from the BlueHalo acquisition and demand for loitering munitions/drones — these narratives reinforce buyer conviction and retail/income‑oriented interest. AeroVironment: 30% Selloff Creates A Buy Opportunity
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS initiated coverage with a Neutral recommendation — this adds institutional attention but is not a clear buy signal, and may have tempered some of the upside from J.P. Morgan’s call. UBS initiates coverage of AeroVironment (AVAV) with neutral recommendation
• Neutral Sentiment: Business Wire: AeroVironment will present at the Citizens Technology Conference (CFO fireside chat on March 2) — investor IR events provide visibility but are not an immediate earnings or revenue catalyst. AV, Inc. to Present at Citizens Technology Conference
• Neutral Sentiment: Short‑interest reports showing “0 shares / NaN” are likely a reporting anomaly and not a meaningful driver of market pressure; treat those filings as noise for now.
• Negative Sentiment: Insider sale: Director Stephen F. Page sold 500 shares at about $254.95 — a small, disclosed sale that can be interpreted negatively by some traders, but the size is modest relative to his holdings and company float. SEC Form 4

AeroVironment Company Profile

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.