Vermilion Energy (NYSE:VET) Trading 3.4% Higher - Should You Buy?

Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET - Get Free Report) TSE: VET's stock price shot up 3.4% on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $8.32 and last traded at $8.30. 524,071 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 56% from the average session volume of 1,177,826 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.02.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on VET shares. StockNews.com lowered Vermilion Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 15th. Atb Cap Markets cut Vermilion Energy from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Desjardins cut Vermilion Energy from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 18th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold".

Vermilion Energy Stock Up 0.7 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.19. The company has a market capitalization of $1.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2.21 and a beta of 1.91. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $8.91 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $9.43.

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Vermilion Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.36%. 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 Trading of Vermilion Energy

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in Vermilion Energy by 345.4% in the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 592,839 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $5,790,000 after buying an additional 459,746 shares in the last quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Vermilion Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $1,947,000. Verition Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in Vermilion Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $555,000. Alberta Investment Management Corp grew its stake in Vermilion Energy by 12.8% in the 4th quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp now owns 719,000 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $6,764,000 after acquiring an additional 81,500 shares during the period. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its stake in shares of Vermilion Energy by 72.8% during the 3rd quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 1,040,076 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $10,162,000 after purchasing an additional 438,200 shares during the period. 31.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.