AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV)

AeroVironment (AVAV) is rated a buy, positioned to benefit from a structural defense modernization cycle driven by NATO and allied demand for autonomous systems. AVAV's battle-proven Switchblade and Puma drones, integrated with the AV_Halo software ecosystem, create a technological and operational moat supporting multi-year growth. Production capacity investments allow AVAV to rapidly scale output, de-risking execution and enhancing its ability to win large defense contracts.

AeroVironment's (AVAV 2.41%) stock soared 30.5% in September, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence. The defense robotics and autonomous systems company delivered a strong quarterly earnings report, raised its earnings guidance, and signaled a strong trend in its growth trajectory.

AeroVironment is a leading drone stock, recently transformed by its BlueHalo acquisition, expanding into lasers, AI, and advanced defense tech. AVAV's revenue surged 140% year-over-year to $454.7 million, with a massive backlog and strong contract wins, but margins have slipped, and integration costs are high. The stock's valuation is extremely elevated, reflecting high expectations for government budgets, successful integration, and margin recovery, making short-term risk significant.

Shares of innovative defense contractor AeroVironment (AVAV 3.96%) soared 20% higher this week as of market close on Thursday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

For the third day in a row, AeroVironment (AVAV 7.73%) stock few higher on Wednesday, rising 7.9% through 12:20 p.m. ET -- putting the builder of military drones up more than 12% so far this week.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV--AV has been selected for a 10-year single-award, IDIQ contract valued at $499 million by the USAF Research Laboratory for the HELMSSMAN program.

AeroVironment, Inc. - Special Call Company Participants Denise Pacioni - Director of Investor Relations Wahid Nawabi - Chairman of the Board, President & CEO Scott Bowman - CTO & Senior VP of Global Engineering Trace Stevenson - President of Autonomous Systems William Ferguson - President of Space, Cyber & Directed Energy Mary Clum - Executive Vice President of Space & DE Mission Systems Church Hutton - Chief Growth Officer Kevin McDonnell - Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Andre Madrid - BTIG, LLC, Research Division Austin Moeller - Canaccord Genuity Corp., Research Division Colin Canfield - Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Research Division Kenneth Herbert - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division Peter Arment - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division Louie Dipalma - William Blair & Company L.L.C.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV #AVAV--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced the launch of capability enhancements for its Puma™ LE small unmanned aircraft system.

AeroVironment (AVAV 3.24%) stock jumped 4.6% through 10:45 a.m. ET Monday after Raymond James analyst Brian Gesuale raised his price target on the military drones manufacturer to $348 per share.

RBC Capital Markets analysts believe key programs, such as Golden Dome and space communications and operations, will continue to support the recent strength in the defense tech stocks.  In a research note published on Thursday, the analysts stated they continue to favor Karman Space & Defense (NYSE: KRMN), AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) Inc, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc (NASDAQ: KTOS) in the space.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV #AVAV--AV Appoints Johnathan Jones as Senior Vice President of Cyber and Mission Solutions.

The industry group is up 28% year to date, ranked No. 28 out of 197 groups.

All in all, the most recent quarterly earnings season on the U.S. market was a positive one. Many companies exceeded the consensus analyst estimates for revenue, profitability, or both.

Shares of up-and-coming defense contractor AeroVironment (AVAV 0.18%) are up 17% this week as of 11 a.m. ET on Friday, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AVAV--AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of advanced space and ground-based satellite communication technologies, is proud to announce a new firm‑fixed‑price (FFP) contract option with the U.S. Space Force Space Rapid Capabilities Office for the delivery of two BADGER phased array antenna systems to support the Satellite Communication Augmentation Resource (SCAR) program. This award represents the first FFP option being executed against t.

Uses of A.I. have captured the attention of military and defense over recent years.