BNP Paribas Financial Markets Boosts Stake in AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in shares of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) by 3.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 30,746 shares of the aerospace company’s stock after buying an additional 932 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets owned approximately 0.11% of AeroVironment worth $4,732,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in AeroVironment during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Colonial Trust Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of AeroVironment during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Accredited Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AeroVironment in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB boosted its position in AeroVironment by 1,515.4% in the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 210 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 197 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC acquired a new position in AeroVironment in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. 86.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Wahid Nawabi sold 29,366 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.20, for a total value of $3,764,721.20. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 115,174 shares in the company, valued at $14,765,306.80. This trade represents a 20.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. 1.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

AeroVironment Stock Down 0.3%

AVAV stock opened at $166.60 on Wednesday. AeroVironment, Inc. has a one year low of $102.25 and a one year high of $236.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a quick ratio of 3.36 and a current ratio of 4.61. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $138.05 and its 200 day moving average is $162.98. The firm has a market cap of $4.70 billion, a PE ratio of 95.75 and a beta of 0.80.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on AVAV. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of AeroVironment in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their target price on shares of AeroVironment from $230.00 to $190.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on shares of AeroVironment from $220.00 to $146.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $190.00 price target on shares of AeroVironment in a research report on Monday. Finally, Raymond James raised AeroVironment from a “market perform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $200.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AeroVironment presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $197.83.

About AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc designs, develops, produces, delivers, and supports a portfolio of robotic systems and related services for government agencies and businesses in the United States and internationally. It operates through Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS), Tactical Missile System (TMS), Medium Unmanned Aircraft Systems (MUAS), and High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Systems (HAPS) segments.