Astronics Stock Upgraded to Strong Buy as Analysts Weigh In

Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) has received a notable upgrade from Wall Street Zen, shifting its rating from “buy” to “strong-buy” in a research report issued to investors on Monday. This change reflects growing confidence among analysts regarding the aerospace company’s performance.

Several other financial institutions have also recently provided insights on Astronics. Weiss Ratings maintained a “sell (D-)” rating on October 8, while Zacks Research raised its stance from “hold” to “strong-buy” on November 4. Truist Financial increased its price target for Astronics from $49.00 to $58.00, assigning a “buy” rating on October 15. Additionally, Craig Hallum began coverage on October 10, giving the stock a “buy” rating with a price objective of $60.00.

Currently, the consensus among analysts presents a mixed view: one analyst has rated the stock as a strong buy, four have issued buy ratings, and one has provided a sell rating. According to MarketBeat.com, Astronics holds an average rating of “moderate buy” alongside a consensus target price of $61.00.

Astronics Financial Performance Revealed

In its latest earnings report released on November 4, Astronics reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.49 for the quarter, surpassing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by $0.07. The company achieved revenues of $211.45 million, slightly exceeding analyst estimates of $210.80 million. Notably, Astronics recorded a positive return on equity of 22.89%, though it faced a net margin of -0.45%.

For the fiscal year 2025, Astronics has set its guidance at EPS. Sell-side analysts predict an average of $0.82 earnings per share for the current year, indicating cautious optimism about the company’s future profitability.

Insider Activity and Institutional Holdings

In related news, insider James Mulato sold 1,129 shares of Astronics on September 5 at an average price of $38.16, totaling approximately $43,082.64. Following this transaction, Mulato holds 1,066 shares valued at around $40,678.56, representing a decrease in his position by 51.44%. This sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed on the SEC website.

Institutional investors hold a significant stake in Astronics, with hedge funds actively buying and selling shares. Brighton Jones LLC increased its ownership by 3.1% during the third quarter, now holding 7,085 shares valued at $323,000 after acquiring an additional 216 shares. Covestor Ltd raised its stake by 25.4%, owning 1,068 shares worth $49,000 after similar transactions. Additionally, US Bancorp DE expanded its position by 41.0%, now holding 966 shares valued at $44,000.

Overall, institutional investors control approximately 56.68% of Astronics’ stock, highlighting confidence in the company’s potential.

Astronics Corporation designs and manufactures products for the aerospace, defense, and electronics industries across various regions, including North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. The company operates primarily in two segments: Aerospace and Test Systems, providing a range of products from lighting and safety systems to avionics.

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