Empirical Asset Management LLC Invests $667,000 in Astronics Corporation $ATRO

Empirical Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ:ATRO) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 14,625 shares of the aerospace company’s stock, valued at approximately $667,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in ATRO. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Astronics by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,936,166 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $88,309,000 after purchasing an additional 105,311 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Astronics by 80.1% in the first quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 746,956 shares of the aerospace company’s stock worth $18,054,000 after buying an additional 332,133 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Astronics by 3.1% in the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 736,327 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $24,655,000 after acquiring an additional 22,134 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of Astronics by 8.4% in the second quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 442,324 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $14,809,000 after acquiring an additional 34,230 shares during the period. Finally, Marshall Wace LLP grew its stake in Astronics by 57.1% during the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 436,051 shares of the aerospace company’s stock valued at $14,599,000 after acquiring an additional 158,544 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 56.68% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ATRO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Astronics in a research note on Wednesday, November 26th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. CJS Securities raised shares of Astronics to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, December 11th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Astronics in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wall Street Zen cut Astronics from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, February 7th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded Astronics from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 3rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $77.33.

Astronics Stock Down 0.7%

Shares of NASDAQ:ATRO opened at $78.84 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.81 billion, a PE ratio of 102.39 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.07, a quick ratio of 1.56 and a current ratio of 2.87. Astronics Corporation has a 52-week low of $19.51 and a 52-week high of $81.89. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $69.41 and a 200 day moving average of $53.67.

Astronics (NASDAQ:ATRO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 24th. The aerospace company reported $0.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.63 by $0.12. Astronics had a return on equity of 36.45% and a net margin of 3.41%.The firm had revenue of $240.07 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $237.11 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.46 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was up 15.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Astronics Corporation will post 0.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Astronics News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Astronics this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Truist raised its price target on ATRO to $107 and assigned a Buy rating, citing improving margins — a material analyst upgrade that implies ~35% upside from current levels. Truist PT Raise
• Positive Sentiment: Astronics reported Q4 FY2025 results above expectations: $0.75 EPS vs. $0.63 consensus and revenue of $240.1M vs. $237.1M. Revenue grew ~15% year/year and management highlighted operating leverage — results that support re-rating prospects. Q4 Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Management signaled 12.5%–15% revenue growth for 2026 and is targeting sustained high‑teens operating margins — guidance that underpins upside to profit and valuation if execution continues. 2026 Guidance
• Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen reiterated a Buy rating on ATRO with a $90 target, calling management’s 2026 guidance conservative and noting contract upside and operating leverage as supports for further upside. TD Cowen Buy Rating
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 earnings call transcript is available for listeners who want detail on backlog, margin drivers and contract timing — useful for assessing whether guidance execution is credible. Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Reported short-interest data is effectively zero (anomalous reporting showed 0 shares / NaN change and 0.0 days-to-cover) — indicates little visible short pressure but the figure appears unreliable and should be treated cautiously.

About Astronics

Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced technologies primarily for the aerospace, defense and semiconductor industries. Headquartered in East Aurora, New York, the company was founded in 1968 and has grown through a combination of internal development and strategic acquisitions. Astronics operates multiple business units focused on power conversion, distribution and control; cabin electronics and connectivity; aircraft lighting and safety solutions; and automated test systems.

The company’s aerospace products include onboard power generation and management systems, in-flight entertainment and connectivity hardware, LED and fluorescent lighting for aircraft cabins and cockpits, and safety equipment such as escape slide power units.