Vermilion Energy (NYSE:VET) Shares Down 8.9% - Here's Why

Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET - Get Free Report) TSE: VET shares fell 8.9% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $5.61 and last traded at $5.53. 1,378,887 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 23% from the average session volume of 1,120,281 shares. The stock had previously closed at $6.07.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. Atb Cap Markets cut shares of Vermilion Energy from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. StockNews.com downgraded Vermilion Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, March 15th. Finally, Desjardins lowered shares of Vermilion Energy from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 18th.

Vermilion Energy Price Performance

The firm's fifty day moving average price is $7.99 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.15. The stock has a market cap of $940.92 million, a P/E ratio of -1.63 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36.

Vermilion Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a $0.0903 dividend. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.94%. This is a boost from Vermilion Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. Vermilion Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently -163.64%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA increased its position in Vermilion Energy by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 27,221 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $256,000 after buying an additional 1,179 shares in the last quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vermilion Energy by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 108,088 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,015,000 after buying an additional 2,046 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Vermilion Energy by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 80,484 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $765,000 after acquiring an additional 3,668 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in Vermilion Energy by 1,123.6% during the fourth quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 4,356 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 4,000 shares during the period. Finally, Barclays PLC boosted its stake in shares of Vermilion Energy by 10.5% during the 4th quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 49,257 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $463,000 after purchasing an additional 4,676 shares during the period. 31.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vermilion Energy Company Profile

Vermilion Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas. The company has properties in West Central Alberta, southeast Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and West Pembina in Canada; Wyoming in the United States; southwest Bordeaux and Paris Basin in France; the Netherlands; Germany; Ireland; Croatia; Slovakia; and Australia.