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Investing.com -- AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV) on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, and shares were trading higher in pre-market trading on Wednesday after initially dipping post-earnings.
The stock is gaining on strong fiscal 2026 guidance and surging demand in its Loitering Munitions segment.
The defense technology company posted adjusted earnings per share of $1.61 for the quarter ended April 30, beating the consensus estimate of $1.40.
Revenue totaled $275.1 million, topping expectations of $242.14 million and rising 40% year-over-year.
Net income climbed to $16.7 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, up from $6.0 million, or $0.22 per share, a year earlier. Results included an $18.4 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to the Uncrewed Ground Vehicle unit.
Analysts at Stifel maintained a “buy” rating and $240 price target, highlighting a standout quarter driven by a surge in Loitering Munitions (LMS) revenue, which rose 86% YoY to $138 million, far exceeding their $95 million forecast and the $115 million consensus.
Stifel noted that the quarter’s $62 million in adjusted EBITDA was among the highest in the company’s history.
AeroVironment issued upbeat guidance for fiscal year 2026, projecting revenue of $1.9–2.0 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.80–3.00, both above consensus.
Despite earlier concerns about a drop in unfunded backlog, the company clarified that this stemmed from a shift in the U.S. Army contracting rather than a reduction in demand.
"AeroVironment finished out fiscal year 2025 with a remarkable fourth quarter, which included record revenue, significantly higher profits and a robust backlog nearly double that from fiscal year 2024," said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment’s chairman, president and CEO in a statement.
The company reported record fiscal year bookings of $1.2 billion and a funded backlog of $726.6 million as of April 30, up from $400.2 million a year earlier.