AeroVironment stock drops 7% on offering plan to pay off debt

• AeroVironment shares fell after the defense contractor said it plans to offer $750 million in common stock and $600 million in convertible senior notes.
• The drone maker said it would use the funding to pay off debt and use leftover proceeds for general purposes such as boosting manufacturing capacity.
• AeroVironment shares have soared 85% this year, ballooning its market value to about $13 billion.

AeroVironment shares fell 7% Tuesday after the defense contractor said it plans to offer $750 million in common stock and $600 million in convertible senior notes due in 2030 to repay debt.

The drone maker said it would use leftover funding for general purposes such as boosting manufacturing capacity.

AeroVironment shares have soared 85% this year, ballooning its market value to about $13 billion.

Last week, shares of the Arlington, Virginia-based company rallied on strong fourth-quarter results, lifting higher as CNBC's Jim Cramer called it the “next Palantir of hardware.”

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Last month, the company also closed its $4.1 billion acquisition of space-related defense tech company Blue Halo.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to boost drone production in the U.S. and crack down on unauthorized uses.

The company also has a high short interest level, which may have contributed to some of the recent gains, creating a short squeeze. This phenomenon occurs when a stock price surges, forcing those shorting the stock to purchase shares to cover their positions and prevent losses.