Form 4: AeroVironment Executive Receives Significant Restricted Stock Award

James William Ferguson III, President of Space, Cyber & DE at AeroVironment Inc., was granted 872 shares of common stock as Restricted Stock Awards on June 27, 2025, valued at $278.07 per share.

Summary

• The reporting person is James William Ferguson III, who holds the position of President, Space, Cyber & DE at AeroVironment Inc. (AVAV).
• On June 27, 2025, Mr. Ferguson acquired 872 shares of AeroVironment Inc. common stock.
• These shares were acquired as Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs) at a price of $278.07 per share.
• Following this transaction, Mr. Ferguson beneficially owns a total of 47,853 shares of common stock.
• The Restricted Stock Awards are scheduled to vest in three equal installments on July 11, 2026, July 11, 2027, and July 11, 2028.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) contract, instruction, or written plan.

Sentiment

Score: 7

Explanation: The document reports a routine executive compensation event (Restricted Stock Award grant), which is generally positive as it aligns executive incentives with shareholder value and indicates stability in compensation practices. It does not contain any negative news or significant risks.

Positives

• The grant of Restricted Stock Awards aligns the executive's long-term financial interests with the company's performance and shareholder value creation.
• The transaction was executed under a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating a pre-arranged and transparent approach to executive equity compensation.

Future Outlook

The vesting schedule for the Restricted Stock Awards extends through July 2028, indicating a long-term incentive structure for the executive, aligning their future performance with the company's long-term goals.

Management Comments

• The acquisition of Restricted Stock Awards by President James William Ferguson III reflects ongoing executive compensation practices designed to align management interests with long-term shareholder value.

Industry Context

This transaction represents a routine executive compensation event, common across publicly traded companies, particularly within the defense and technology sectors. Equity grants like Restricted Stock Awards are a standard component of executive pay packages, designed to incentivize long-term performance and retention of key personnel.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of Restricted Stock Awards is a standard practice in executive compensation across the aerospace and defense industry, comparable to practices at companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, or Raytheon Technologies, which frequently use equity-based incentives to retain and motivate key executives.
• The specific value and number of shares granted are commensurate with the executive's role and the company's size, though a direct comparison would require detailed compensation reports from peer companies to assess against industry benchmarks for similar executive positions.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The grant of Restricted Stock Awards aligns the executive's long-term interests with shareholder value creation, potentially leading to improved company performance.
• Employees: Standard executive compensation practices can positively influence overall employee morale and retention strategies by demonstrating a commitment to performance-based incentives.

Next Steps

• Future vesting installments for the Restricted Stock Awards are scheduled for July 11, 2026, July 11, 2027, and July 11, 2028, at which points the shares will become fully owned by the executive.

Key Dates

Recommendation

Keywords

AeroVironment, AVAV, SEC Form 4, Restricted Stock Awards, RSA, Equity Compensation, Insider Transaction, Executive Compensation, James William Ferguson III, Space, Cyber & DE