AeroVironment, Inc. - Common Stock (AVAV)

The drone maker got a boost from an unlikely source and some love from Wall Street.

Industrials businesses quietly power the physical things we depend on, from cars and homes to e-commerce infrastructure. They are also bound to benefit from a friendlier regulatory environment with the Trump administration, and this excitement has led to a six-month gain of 23.5% for the sector - higher than the S&P 500’s 7.6% return.

Novanta delivers advanced photonics and precision motion components for medical and industrial OEMs worldwide.

Proto Labs provides rapid digital manufacturing for engineers and product developers, using an e-commerce-driven, technology-enabled model.

Drones are now a vital component of the U.S. military's and allied forces' security strategies.

AeroVironment Inc (NASDAQ:AVAV) shares are jumping higher Tuesday after JPMorgan kicked off coverage with an Overweight rating and a $320 price target.

Shares of aerospace and defense company AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) jumped 7.7% in the afternoon session after JPMorgan initiated coverage on the stock with an 'Overweight' rating and a $320 price target. 

The global defense sector has undergone a fundamental transformation in early 2026, transitioning from a traditional counter-cyclical hedge to a primary engine of market growth. As of February 17, 2026, the industry is riding a massive wave of momentum sparked by the "Super-Cycle" themes identified on February 10, when both

Wall Street has set ambitious price targets for the stocks in this article. While this suggests attractive upside potential, it’s important to remain skeptical because analysts face institutional pressures that can sometimes lead to overly optimistic forecasts.

This high-flying stock is about more than just military drones.

A new supercycle may be forming in defense drone stocks as governments accelerate investment in unmanned military technology.

A number of stocks jumped in the afternoon session after the broader market rebounded from a tech-driven sell-off, with investors taking the opportunity to buy stocks at lower prices. 

Running at a loss can be a red flag. Many of these businesses face mounting challenges as competition increases and funding becomes harder to secure.

Aerovironment looks like a winner if military spending ramps up.

While some companies burn cash to fuel expansion, others struggle to turn spending into sustainable growth. A high cash burn rate without a strong balance sheet can leave investors exposed to significant downside.

As of January 30, 2026, the global defense landscape has shifted from a period of reactive replenishment to a structural "Security Supercycle." Driven by intensifying multi-theater conflicts and a fundamental breakdown in the post-Cold War security architecture, global military expenditure has surged to a staggering $2.72 trillion. This milestone,

The U.S. Space Force threw AeroVironment a curve ball last week -- but the stock was priced for perfection.

The company is getting a revised contract from the United States military.

Expensive stocks typically earn their valuations through superior growth rates that other companies simply can’t match. The flip side though is that these lofty expectations make them particularly susceptible to drawdowns when market sentiment shifts.

Space Force is counting its pennies now, and cracking down on cost-plus contracts.

Red Cat is growing nicely -- but it's not a "unique" drones company in the U.S.

The drone-maker made a big move last year.

AeroVironment is gaining market share thanks to an acquisition, but Ondas looks like the better drone stock for long-term investors.

Looking back on defense contractors stocks’ Q3 earnings, we examine this quarter’s best and worst performers, including AeroVironment (NASDAQ:AVAV) and its peers.