AeroVironment acquires BlueHalo as part of a 4.1 billion dollar deal. $AVAV (+0,75 %)

BlueHalo has a 1.4 billion dollar contract to overhaul the aging military satellite communications ground infrastructure.

WASHINGTON - AeroVironment, a defense contractor specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles, announced Nov. 19 that it plans to acquire BlueHalo, also a defense contractor, in a deal valued at about $4.1 billion.

AeroVironment has a small portfolio of civil space technology, so the BlueHalo deal represents a groundbreaking entry into satellite communications and space-based defense technologies. In 2023, AeroVironment was awarded a $10 million contract from NASA to design and build the flight systems for the Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter. The company was also involved in the design of the Ingenuity helicopter carried by the Perseverance Mars rover to demonstrate the feasibility of robotic flight for planetary exploration.

The acquisition of BlueHalo, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approval and the approval of AeroVironment's shareholders.

Both AeroVironment and BlueHalo are headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

BlueHalo, currently owned by private equity firm Arlington Capital Partners, brings expertise in space-based communications, energy guidance, electronic warfare and missile defense technology. A key advantage is the company's $1.4 billion contract with the US Space Force to modernize its satellite communications infrastructure.

The contract provides for the replacement of obsolete parabolic dishes with modern electronically steered phased array antennas that enable the simultaneous tracking of up to 20 satellites - a significant improvement over current systems that can only monitor one satellite at a time.

Following the acquisition, Arlington Capital Partners will retain a significant ownership interest in the combined company.

https://spacenews.com/aerovironment-to-acquire-bluehalo-in-4-1-billion-deal/

https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/drone-maker-aerovironment-buy-bluehalo-41-bln-deal-2024-11-19/

Why AeroVironment shares are rising so sharply today

$AVAV (+0,75 %)

The U.S. Army has ordered AeroVironment ( AVAV 11.89% ) to continue working to fulfill a $990 million contract despite ongoing protests over the award. Investors are cheering the move, sending AeroVironment shares up 11% at 2:30 p.m. ET.

https://www.fool.com/investing/2024/09/23/why-aerovironment-shares-are-flying-higher-today/

What's going on, can anyone say anything about it?

AeroVironment faces GAO protests over Army contract.

$AVAV (+0,75 %)

AeroVironment Inc (NASDAQ: AVAV ), a manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems, is facing a protest over a major contract from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The protest, filed with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), challenges the Army's decision to award AeroVironment an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling value of $990 million for its switchblade systems as a sole-source supplier.

The contract in question was awarded on August 27, 2024, and the GAO's protest resulted in a stop work order issued by the U.S. Army. This stop work order is specific to the disputed contract and does not affect any other AeroVironment contracts or obligations, including those related to loitering munitions systems.

The GAO is expected to issue a decision on the protest by December 16, 2024. Until then, work related to the Switchblade systems contract will remain suspended. The Switchblade is a tactical missile system designed for use by armed forces and is a key product in AeroVironment's portfolio.

AeroVironment reported a strong first quarter for fiscal year 2025 and set a new revenue record of $189.5 million, a 24% increase over the same period last year. This growth was primarily due to the company's Loitering Munition Systems segment, which reported a 68% increase in revenue.

Despite a decline in sales compared to the first quarter of the previous year, the defense contractor was able to secure a significant IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract worth USD 1 billion with the US Army.

https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/aerovironment-faces-gao-protest-over-army-contract-93CH-3617995

Repurchase from the drone and robot pioneer.

Thus an increase in the sector

Aerospace & Defense

+++ Update on my securities account +++

Hello everyone,

As briefly announced yesterday, I made some purchases this week (week 24). I made additional purchases and also added a new position to my portfolio.

Below you will find a brief explanation of the individual transactions.

As my savings plans and the monthly investment amount have recently changed, I would like to write a new article on this soon.

Update:

#1

Subsequent purchase
$TSLA (-4,58 %) (10x at €158.99) 🔋

Tesla is also in the savings plan with €100.00 per month, and I would like to further expand my position in the long term.

I believe in business areas such as Robotaxi, Teslabot and the Powerwalls in the energy sector.

The Tesla Model 2 will also offer exciting market opportunities and be real competition for models from $1211 (-0,27 %) models. The price will be around $25,000.

#2

Subsequent purchase
$EWG2 (-0,3 %) (5x at 70.56€) 🏆

Unfortunately, ING DiBa does not offer a savings plan on Euwax, so I keep buying individual positions.

I am now waiting and will only buy again if the price falls below €70.00.

My target value is between € 65 and € 67.00, as I think we will see these prices again in the course of the year.

By the end of 2025, gold should have gained at least 10 % of my total portfolio by the end of 2025.

#3

Subsequent purchase $NU (-0,2 %) (100 x at € 10.52) 🏦

Strong growth and great potential in Latin America - approx. 100 million customers.

One billion profit and sales growth of 70% in 2023.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the average revenue per active customer was USD 10.60

My initial purchase was on 01.02 at a price of € 7.93.

#4

Subsequent purchase
$MCD (-0,31 %) (2x at €235.32) 🍔

For me, McDonald's is clearly one of the best REITs, and the stock continues to run in the savings plan.

In future, I will no longer make individual purchases so that the position does not become too large.

#5

Subsequent purchase
$BTC (-0,02 %) (0.012 at 61,621.09€) 🪙

I now have 0.068 Bitcoins in my portfolio.

I would like to use the cryptocurrency for further diversification, similar to gold.

I manage my portfolio via Bison.

The low correlation between cryptocurrencies and shares means that adding Bitcoin reduces the portfolio risk.

#6

New purchase
$NVDA (+2,01 %) (13x at €118.57) 💻

I finally bought the shovel manufacturer for all tech companies.

I see the company as a fundamental investment, because without Nvidia there would be no Teslas on the road.

An
exciting fact:

Bank of America has calculated that stocks that are split have outperformed the S&P 500 Index in all time periods since 1980.

The S&P returned 11.9%, while the stock splits returned 25.4%.

Current Watchlist:

- $AVAV (+0,75 %) (Already on the list for 6 months, but no suitable entry opportunity found yet). 🪁

- $6301 (+0,83 %) (Further diversification through Japan, similarly exciting as Caterpillar.) 🏗️

- $MUX (-2,14 %) (I'll keep an eye on it, the price seems to be going down even further). 📋

Best wishes and have a good start to the week! ☀️

Michael

As many people keep asking me which savings plans are running in my custody account, I would like to provide a list here.

First of all, my entire custody account is with ING-Diba.

Although I receive a commission of 1,75 % I am very satisfied with the service/app and broker.

ETF savings plans, on the other hand, are free of charge.

Here again a short list of the advantages and disadvantages of savings plans:

-Advantages

Reduce risk:

As the cost-average effect (CAE) results in the average entry price of a share approaching the "average price of the last 12 months".

This is achieved by investing the same amount in shares every month over a period of 12 months, for example.

Buy and hold:

Statistically, the tendency to buy and hold is associated with the highest returns for private investors.

Small cattle:

You can start with small monthly amounts. Your money will grow over time, even if you only invest small amounts.

Quick start:

It's easy to get started: share savings plans allow you to invest from as little as EUR 1 per month, depending on the bank.

-Disadvantages

Time to buy:

The choice of timing is limited: Share savings plans are executed on the 1st, 7th, 15th day of each month for most providers, leaving little room for intervention.

Fees:

Higher fees may apply: Many providers may charge a fee of, for example, 1.75% of the savings plan amount per execution.

Long-term nature:

Share savings plans are primarily intended for long-term investors.

Investors looking for a quick return may want to consider alternative options.

The following positions are currently held in my portfolio via a savings plan:

- 100 € ~ FTSE All World ($VWCE (+0,17 %))

- 50 € ~ Alphabet ($GOOGL) (+0,94 %)

- 50 € ~ Merck & Co. ($MRK (-1,77 %))

- 50 € ~ Microsoft ($MSFT (-1,05 %))

- 50 € ~ Tesla ($TSLA (-4,58 %))

- 25 € ~ Apple ($AAPL (+1,34 %))

- 25 € ~ Palantir ($PLTR (+6,35 %))

- 25 € ~ Allianz ($ALV (-0,66 %))

- 25 € ~ Walt Disney ($DIS (-0,24 %))

- 25 € ~ Walmart ($WMT (-2,1 %))

- 25 € ~ Intel ($INTC (+1,8 %))

- 25 € ~ Unilever ($ULVR (-1,44 %))

- 25 € ~ Coca Cola ($KO (-0,4 %))

- 25 € ~ Mc Donalds ($MCD (-0,31 %))

The total amount of 525 € per month flows directly per savings plan into the custody account.

In addition, I make irregular individual purchases to expand existing positions or add new ones.

I build up a monthly cash position in my clearing account for this purpose.

The nest egg is transferred directly to the call money account at the beginning of the month.

I am also currently planning to increase or new introduce.

-Increase/repurchase:

$EWG2 (-0,3 %)

$TSLA (-4,58 %)

$NU (-0,2 %)

$8001 (-0,17 %)

$LDO (-0,04 %)

-New acquisition/first purchase:

$AWE (-1,27 %)

$RHM (-0,78 %)

$AVAV (+0,75 %)

$6301 (+0,83 %)

$NKE (-6,85 %) (but only at a price of 50.00 $ 😉)

Thank you for your attention and good luck with your investment. 💸

LG

Michael

The drone takes off!

$AVAV (+0,75 %)

AeroVironment's third quarter results: revenue growth, EPS increase, "increased global demand" and more

https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/03/37468637/aerovironment-q3-earnings-revenue-beat-eps-beat-increased-global-demand-and-more

Hi Community,

I have read through the reports and wanted to hear your opinion. Should I buy it again or should I leave it alone? Generally I think it is a future topic anyway (5-10Y). When the topic of unmanned aviation becomes more important. What do you think?