AeroVironment stock jumps as Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense-budget call lifts drone names
NEW YORK, Jan 8, 2026, 11:27 AM EST — Regular session AeroVironment, Inc. shares climbed 8.8% to $346.45 in late morning trading on Thursday, after earlier touching $371.20. The stock was last up $27.97 from Wednesday’s close. The move underlined how quickly Washington headlines are moving defense names this week. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring defense contractors from paying dividends or buying back stock — meaning companies repurchasing their own shares — until they speed up weapons production. Reuters Defense stocks then snapped back after Trump said the 2027 U.S. military budget should be $1.5