Diversified Trust Co Takes $950,000 Position in AeroVironment, Inc. $AVAV

Diversified Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 5,189 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $950,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AVAV. Groupama Asset Managment acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the third quarter worth $314,890,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in AeroVironment during the fourth quarter worth about $94,655,000. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its position in AeroVironment by 24,798.7% during the third quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 315,716 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $99,416,000 after buying an additional 314,448 shares during the period. Swedbank AB boosted its stake in AeroVironment by 22,773.4% in the 4th quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 261,214 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $63,185,000 after buying an additional 260,072 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP boosted its stake in AeroVironment by 4,770.1% in the 4th quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 260,207 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $62,941,000 after buying an additional 254,864 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.38% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on AVAV. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price target on AeroVironment from $330.00 to $300.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 12th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of AeroVironment from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Needham & Company LLC decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $450.00 to $400.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Citizens Jmp lowered their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $400.00 to $350.00 and set a “market outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 11th. Finally, KeyCorp dropped their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $330.00 to $295.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 11th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seventeen have issued a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AeroVironment has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $311.83.

AeroVironment News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AeroVironment this week:

• Negative Sentiment: AeroVironment disclosed an $89 million goodwill impairment/restatement tied to its space unit, along with internal control weaknesses, which has raised concerns about prior financial reporting and likely pressured the stock. AeroVironment (AVAV) Faces Lawsuits And Restates Earnings Over $89 Million Error
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple law firms announced securities class actions and deadline reminders for investors who bought AVAV during the class period, keeping litigation risk in focus and adding to sentiment pressure. AVAV DEADLINE: Levi & Korsinsky Reminds AeroVironment, Inc. Investors of Upcoming Securities Class Action Deadline
• Negative Sentiment: Another lawsuit-focused report said the company is facing class action claims related to an alleged SCAR contract cancellation and a sharp share-price drop, reinforcing worries about contract visibility and disclosures. AVAV Class Action Lawsuit: AeroVironment Sued for Securities Fraud after SCAR Contract Cancellation Leads to 17% Stock Drop
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst previews ahead of next week’s earnings are drawing attention to revenue, profitability, and other operating metrics, but these pieces are mostly positioning the upcoming report rather than changing the near-term narrative. Top Wall Street Forecasters Revamp AeroVironment Expectations Ahead Of Q4 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Longer-term defense spending themes remain supportive, with commentary highlighting rising Pentagon drone investment and AeroVironment’s role in unmanned systems, which may help offset some of the legal overhang. Pentagon’s $55 Billion Drone Investment: Top Defense Stocks to Watch

Insider Activity at AeroVironment

In related news, Director Stephen F. Page sold 250 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.41, for a total transaction of $43,602.50. Following the sale, the director directly owned 49,001 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,546,264.41. This trade represents a 0.51% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders sold 750 shares of company stock worth $133,502. Company insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock.

AeroVironment Trading Down 4.6%

Shares of AVAV opened at $142.18 on Thursday. AeroVironment, Inc. has a 12 month low of $141.73 and a 12 month high of $417.86. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $180.27 and its two-hundred day moving average is $228.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 5.51 and a quick ratio of 4.54. The stock has a market cap of $7.10 billion, a PE ratio of -32.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.35.

AeroVironment 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.