NEWPORT NEWS, Va., July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII’s (NYSE: HII) summer interns are collaborating on a research project designed to investigate the top use cases for artificial intelligence in HII’s corporate office. “Internships are an invaluable way of developing the next generation of leaders to help shape the future of our company and the shipbuilding industry,” said Edmond Hughes, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at HII. “At a time when there is a generational increase i ...

Core Viewpoint - AeroVironment's stock price is projected to reach new highs this year, supported by strong Q4 results and positive guidance, indicating a bullish market sentiment [1][2]. Financial Performance - AeroVironment reported a nearly 40% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4, with significant contributions from various segments: Loitering Munitions Systems grew by 87%, MacReady Works by 24%, and Uncrewed Systems by 8% [6]. - The company's income from operations, net income, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EPS all more than doubled, with adjusted EBITDA and EPS growing more than 3x and 4x, respectively [7]. Market Guidance - The guidance for FY2026 anticipates robust growth, driven by the acquisition of BlueHalo, a defense contractor focused on advanced automated systems, with expected revenue growth exceeding 135% [8]. - Bookings reached record levels in FY2025, surpassing $1.2 billion, and are expected to continue accelerating due to increased demand for automated systems amid geopolitical tensions [9]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have shown a bullish sentiment towards AeroVironment, with upgrades and price target increases leading up to the release, and a positive report from Stifel highlighting the company's position in next-gen defense technology [3][4]. - The stock's price forecast ranges from a low of $190 to a high of $245, with an average target of $213, indicating potential for further price appreciation [10]. Institutional Support - Institutional ownership exceeds 85%, with strong buying activity noted in Q1 and Q2 of 2025, contributing to a robust support base for the stock [10]. - Short interest reached nearly 15% ahead of the report, with short-covering contributing to the stock's price rise [10].

Core Insights - AeroVironment, Inc. reported strong fourth-quarter results with earnings of $1.61 per share, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of $1.42 [1] - Quarterly revenue reached $275.05 million, exceeding the Street estimate of $242.69 million, marking a 40% year-over-year increase [1][2] - The company experienced significant revenue growth in various segments, including Loitering Munitions Systems (87% increase), MacCready Works (24% increase), and Uncrewed Systems (9% increase) [2] Financial Performance - The fourth quarter concluded fiscal year 2025 with record revenue and significantly higher profits, alongside a robust backlog nearly double that of fiscal year 2024 [3] - For fiscal 2027, AeroVironment projects adjusted EPS between $2.80 and $3, compared to the estimate of $3.72, with revenue expectations ranging from $1.9 billion to $2 billion, slightly below the $1.98 billion estimate [3] Stock Performance - Following the earnings release, AeroVironment's stock declined by 5.58%, trading at $182.50 in extended trading [4]