Why AeroVironment Stock Popped Friday

Core Viewpoint - AeroVironment has received an upgrade from KeyBanc analyst Michael Leshock, who initiated coverage with an overweight rating and a price target of $285, leading to a 4% increase in stock price [1][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - AeroVironment specializes in military drones and is expanding its product portfolio to include interceptor drones, which are designed to neutralize other drones [4]. - The company has a strong competitive position due to its robust defense backlog and new business opportunities from the BlueHalo acquisition, which was completed for $4.1 billion in 2024 [4]. - AeroVironment's stock is currently trading at an enterprise value of approximately 28 times EBITDA, which is within its historical range, with a recommendation to buy as it approaches a 35-times multiple [6]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Despite the positive outlook, AeroVironment remains unprofitable under GAAP accounting standards, with a negative free cash flow of about $240 million over the past 12 months [7]. - The company has been free cash flow negative for nearly five consecutive years, raising concerns about its financial sustainability [7].