VOC Energy Trust (NYSE:VOC) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

VOC Energy Trust (NYSE:VOC) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 30th, there was short interest totaling 46,739 shares, an increase of 210.2% from the April 15th total of 15,068 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 117,220 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A hedge fund recently bought a new stake in VOC Energy Trust stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of VOC Energy Trust (NYSE:VOC) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 10,000 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock, valued at approximately $27,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC owned about 0.06% of VOC Energy Trust as of its most recent SEC filing.

VOC Energy Trust Stock Performance

VOC Energy Trust stock traded up $0.12 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $3.29. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 81,165 shares, compared to its average volume of 120,420. VOC Energy Trust has a fifty-two week low of $2.60 and a fifty-two week high of $3.84. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $3.40 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.95 million, a PE ratio of 7.48 and a beta of 0.19.

VOC Energy Trust (NYSE:VOC) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 13th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter. VOC Energy Trust had a return on equity of 71.27% and a net margin of 90.03%.The company had revenue of $1.59 million during the quarter.

VOC Energy Trust Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, April 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.095 per share. This is a boost from VOC Energy Trust’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 30th. This represents a $0.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.5%. VOC Energy Trust’s dividend payout ratio is presently 86.36%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings raised VOC Energy Trust from a “sell (d)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Friday, April 24th. Wall Street Zen raised VOC Energy Trust to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Sell rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Sell”.

About VOC Energy Trust

VOC Energy Trust is a Canada-based unincorporated, open-ended royalty trust focused on upstream oil and gas interests. Headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, the trust holds non-operated royalty and net profit interests in conventional petroleum and natural gas properties. VOC’s structure allows it to collect a percentage of production revenues without directly managing exploration or drilling activities.

The trust’s asset portfolio is concentrated in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, with producing properties across Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia.