AVAV target price

The deep research logic is organized as follows: 

Okay, let's tackle the user's question about AVAV's target price. First, I need to gather all the relevant data from the provided references. The user is interested in the target price for AeroVironment (AVAV), so I'll start by looking through the references for any mentions of price targets, analyst ratings, and recent developments.

Looking at Reference 1, there's an average price target of $266.1 for AVAV as of July 17, 2025. The stock's last price is $278.56, which is above the target. Reference 2 from TipRanks mentions a 12-month average target of $278.25 with a 5% upside. However, there's also a mention of a price target increase to $285 by Jefferies and $301 by Goldman Sachs. Reference 3 from GuruFocus shows a price target raised to $300 by BTIG, which is a significant increase. Reference 5 confirms Goldman Sachs initiating coverage with a $301 target. Reference 6 mentions Royal Bank of Canada raising the target to $275. 

There's also a mix of other price targets from different analysts, with some as low as $157.27 and as high as $301. The average target seems to be around $278.25, but recent upgrades have pushed some targets higher. The user's profile indicates interest in short-term price movements and technical analysis, so I should highlight the recent upgrades and potential upside.

Additionally, the company has partnerships mentioned in References 7 and 8 with a Danish test center, which could indicate future growth. The earnings report in Reference 9 shows strong revenue growth and contract wins, which might justify higher targets. The SWOT analysis in Reference 10 points out reliance on government contracts, which is a risk but also a stable revenue source.

The user is focused on tech sectors, so the drone market growth (References 12 and 13) and partnerships with defense contractors (References 7, 8) are relevant. The recent analyst upgrades and price target increases are key points to emphasize for the target price analysis.

I need to structure the answer with a clear conclusion first, then break down the analysis into sections like current price vs. targets, recent catalysts, risks, and a takeaway. Using tables and visualizations where possible, especially for the price targets. Also, ensure to cite the references correctly and include the visualization for the specific query mentioned in Reference 1.

### 🎯 **Conclusion**
AeroVironment (AVAV) currently trades at **$278.56**, slightly above its **average analyst price target of $278.25** . Recent **analyst upgrades** (e.g., Goldman Sachs to $301, BTIG to $300) and **strategic partnerships** (e.g., UAS Denmark Test Center) suggest **short-term upside potential** for tech-focused investors. Let’s unpack the details.

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### 📊 **Key Analysis**
#### 1. **Current Price vs. Analyst Targets**
| Metric | Value | Implication |
|----------------------------|-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Last Price** | $278.56 | 0.1% premium over average target ($278.25) |
| **Average Target** | $278.25 | Neutral consensus, but recent upgrades hint at **bullish sentiment** |
| **Price Target Range** | $157.27–$301 | High volatility; upside potential if AVAV executes on UAS partnerships |

#### 2. **Recent Catalysts Driving Upside**
- **Analyst Upgrades**:
- **Goldman Sachs** initiated coverage with a **$301 price target** (13.58% upside) .
- **BTIG** raised its target to **$300** (33.33% increase) .
- **Royal Bank of Canada** boosted its target to **$275** (11.48% upside) .
- **Strategic Partnerships**:
- AVAV partnered with the **UAS Denmark Test Center** to advance drone innovation .
- Acquired **BlueHalo** to expand into space tech and cyber defense .
- **Earnings Beat**:
- Q4 2025 EPS: **$1.61** (vs. $1.41 estimate) .
- Revenue: **$275.05M** (vs. $242.69M estimate) .

#### 3. **Risks to Watch**
- **Government Contract Dependency**: 75% of revenue tied to U.S. defense contracts .
- **Competition**: Firms like DJI and Kratos Defense (KTOS) are vying for drone market share .
- **Valuation**: P/E ratio of **170.19** reflects high expectations .

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### 📊 **Takeaway for Short-Term Traders**
AVAV’s **$278.56 price** vs. **$278.25 average target** suggests **neutral near-term outlook**. However, **analyst upgrades** (e.g., Goldman Sachs to $301) and **strategic partnerships** (e.g., UAS Denmark) could drive **price target revisions** upward in the next 3–6 months. For tech-focused investors, AVAV aligns with your interest in **AI, autonomous systems, and US defense tech**.

**Final Call**: Hold for now, but watch for **analyst upgrades** post-UAS partnership updates. 🚁