Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) Receives $34.50 Consensus Price Target from Analysts

Shares of Aviat Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVNW) have been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the seven research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $34.80.

A number of analysts have issued reports on AVNW shares. Zacks Research raised shares of Aviat Networks from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Aviat Networks from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Lake Street Capital reissued a “buy” rating and set a $34.00 price target on shares of Aviat Networks in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Aviat Networks in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Citizens Jmp reiterated a “market outperform” rating and set a $30.00 target price on shares of Aviat Networks in a research report on Wednesday, February 4th.

Aviat Networks Stock Performance

AVNW opened at $25.92 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.85 and a quick ratio of 1.56. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $22.06 and a 200 day simple moving average of $22.46. Aviat Networks has a 1 year low of $15.80 and a 1 year high of $27.02. The company has a market capitalization of $334.42 million, a PE ratio of 23.14 and a beta of 0.96.

Aviat Networks (NASDAQ:AVNW) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The communications equipment provider reported $0.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.48 by $0.06. Aviat Networks had a return on equity of 10.71% and a net margin of 3.27%.The company had revenue of $111.47 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $109.67 million. Research analysts expect that Aviat Networks will post 0.5 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Aviat Networks

In related news, CEO Pete A. Smith sold 17,086 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.33, for a total transaction of $449,874.38. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 358,747 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,445,808.51. This trade represents a 4.55% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, SVP Gary Croke sold 6,914 shares of Aviat Networks stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $26.20, for a total transaction of $181,146.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 43,868 shares in the company, valued at $1,149,341.60. This trade represents a 13.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 5.30% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Aviat Networks

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Western Standard LLC raised its holdings in shares of Aviat Networks by 84.5% during the 4th quarter. Western Standard LLC now owns 494,238 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $10,567,000 after buying an additional 226,332 shares in the last quarter. Weber Capital Management LLC ADV bought a new position in Aviat Networks in the fourth quarter valued at about $3,099,000. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC grew its position in Aviat Networks by 67.6% in the third quarter. Hotchkis & Wiley Capital Management LLC now owns 285,868 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $6,555,000 after acquiring an additional 115,298 shares during the last quarter. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Aviat Networks by 22.2% in the second quarter. First Wilshire Securities Management Inc. now owns 531,398 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock worth $12,780,000 after acquiring an additional 96,367 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kennedy Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aviat Networks by 29.4% in the 2nd quarter. Kennedy Capital Management LLC now owns 421,663 shares of the communications equipment provider’s stock valued at $10,141,000 after purchasing an additional 95,884 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.62% of the company’s stock.

About Aviat Networks

Aviat Networks, Inc is a specialist in wireless transport solutions, designing, manufacturing and selling microwave networking products that enable the secure and reliable transmission of data, voice and video. The company’s offerings address mission-critical communications needs for a broad range of end markets, including telecommunications service providers, utilities, government agencies and enterprises. Its product portfolio spans high-capacity packet microwave radios, IP transport systems and network management software.

Aviat’s core product lines include the WTM series of packet microwave platforms, which deliver scalable throughput and advanced resilience features, and the Eclipse packet microwave systems, which combine broadband capacity with synchronization, security and quality-of-service capabilities.