AVAV $297.41 pre-market NASDAQ down 6.62%: AI defense demand may limit downside
AVAV stock opened pre-market at $297.41, down -6.62% from the prior close, as heavy volume hit AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ) in early trading. The company’s focus on unmanned systems and AI-enabled payloads keeps it on investor radars despite stretched valuation. Trade volume of 2,347,900 shares and a relative volume of 3.00 show active repositioning. Investors should weigh recent momentum against high price-to-sales and negative EPS when sizing positions in this U.S. defense tech name.
AVAV stock: Market snapshot and recent news
AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) traded pre-market at $297.41 on NASDAQ in the United States. The stock is off $21.07 for the session with a day range of $268.00–$302.49 and a year range of $102.25–$417.86. Recent headlines from CNBC and MarketWatch highlight bullish positioning tied to U.S. defense demand.
Financials and valuation: AVAV stock fundamentals
AeroVironment reports EPS of -1.20 and a trailing PE of -287.50, reflecting recent losses. Key ratios include price-to-sales 15.88 and price-to-book 3.76. Cash per share stands at $12.19 while book value per share is $91.51. The company shows a current ratio of 5.08 and debt-to-equity of 0.19, which supports liquidity despite negative free cash flow per share of -4.29.
Technical view and trading signals for AVAV stock
Technicals show short-term strength: RSI 67.82 and ADX 27.13 indicate a strong trend with momentum. Bollinger upper band is $300.37 and ATR is 15.47, implying elevated volatility. On balance volume and MFI suggest heavy buying and rotation into the name. Note the 50-day average $289.66 and 200-day average $245.55 for key moving average support levels.
Analyst consensus and price targets for AVAV stock
Sell-side coverage skews bullish: consensus target is $348.32, median $389.00, high $450.00, low $146.00. The upgrade/downgrade window shows 3 Strong Buy and 17 Buy ratings and no Holds or Sells. That implies a consensus implied upside of about 17.16% vs. today’s price to the consensus target and larger to the median target.
Meyka stock grade and model forecasts for AVAV stock
Meyka AI rates AVAV with a score out of 100. Meyka AI rates AVAV with a score out of 100: 81.04 (Grade A) — Suggestion: BUY. This grade factors in S&P 500 and sector comparisons, financial growth, key metrics, analyst consensus, and forecast models. Meyka AI’s forecast model projects short-term and long-term paths. Monthly: $293.28, 1-year: $232.13 (implied -21.92% vs $297.41), 5-year: $360.98 (implied +21.42%). Forecasts are model-based projections and not guarantees.
Risks and opportunities for AVAV stock investors
Opportunity: growing defense budgets and adoption of AI-enabled unmanned systems can lift revenue and margins. AVAV shows strong product demand in tactical and medium UAS markets. Risk: high price-to-sales and negative EPS create valuation sensitivity to any earnings miss. Working capital and long receivable cycles (days sales outstanding 251.77) also raise execution risk.
Final Thoughts
Key takeaways on AVAV stock: AeroVironment trades at $297.41 pre-market on NASDAQ with active volume and mixed signals. Valuation is rich with price-to-sales 15.88 and negative EPS -1.20, but balance-sheet liquidity and sector tailwinds support growth. Analysts place a consensus target of $348.32 while Meyka AI’s model projects a 1-year price of $232.13 (implied -21.92%) and a 5-year price of $360.98 (implied +21.42%). For AI-focused and defense-oriented portfolios, AVAV offers thematic exposure but carries execution and valuation risk. Use layered sizing, watch next earnings on 2026-03-03, and consider the mix of analyst targets, technical support at $289.66 (50-day) and risk from stretched multiples. Meyka AI, our AI-powered market analysis platform, flags both upside from demand and downside from earnings sensitivity. Forecasts are model-based projections and not guarantees.
FAQs
What drives short-term moves in AVAV stock?
Short-term moves reflect order flow, defense contract news, and positioning tied to AI-enabled systems. High relative volume (3.00) and headlines prompt swings. Watch earnings, contract awards, and technical support at $289.66 for near-term direction.
How do analysts view AVAV stock price targets?
Sell-side consensus target is $348.32 with a median $389.00. Targets range from $146.00 to $450.00, showing dispersion tied to growth assumptions and valuation views.
What are the main risks when owning AVAV stock?
Key risks are stretched valuation (P/S 15.88), negative EPS -1.20, receivables days 251.77, and the need to convert strong demand into consistent free cash flow. Contract timing can amplify volatility.
Disclaimer:
Stock markets involve risks. This content is for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Meyka AI PTY LTD provides market analysis and data insights, not financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider consulting a licensed financial advisor.
