Versant Corporation (NASDAQ:VSNT) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Versant Corporation (NASDAQ:VSNT) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of May. As of May 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,032,289 shares, a growth of 139.3% from the April 30th total of 1,684,705 shares. Approximately 3.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,134,388 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days.

Insider Activity at Versant

In other Versant news, Director David C. Novak acquired 143,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 5th. The stock was bought at an average price of $36.85 per share, with a total value of $5,269,550.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director owned 158,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,842,936. This represents a 919.02% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Gerald L. Hassell acquired 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $36.07 per share, with a total value of $360,700.00. Following the purchase, the director directly owned 12,680 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $457,367.60. This trade represents a 373.13% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last quarter, insiders acquired 154,350 shares of company stock valued at $5,679,039. Company insiders own 7.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Citizens National Bank Trust Department purchased a new position in shares of Versant in the first quarter worth about $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Versant in the first quarter worth about $28,000. Parallel Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Versant in the first quarter worth about $32,000. Advocate Investing Services LLC purchased a new position in shares of Versant in the first quarter worth about $33,000. Finally, Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt purchased a new position in shares of Versant in the first quarter worth about $35,000.

Versant Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of VSNT stock opened at $43.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 2.32 and a current ratio of 2.32. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $39.82. Versant has a 12-month low of $27.17 and a 12-month high of $59.00. The company has a market capitalization of $6.09 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.68.

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 14th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.30. The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter. As a group, research analysts expect that Versant will post 4.35 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Versant Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 22nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 1st were paid a dividend of $0.375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, April 1st. Versant’s payout ratio is 75.38%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Versant in a research note on Tuesday, May 12th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $46.00 price target on shares of Versant in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Zacks Research lowered Versant from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. TD Cowen began coverage on Versant in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. They set a “hold” rating and a $32.00 price target for the company. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Versant from $37.00 to $42.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Versant presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $40.40.

About Versant

Versant Corporation is a provider of data management software. The Company designs, develops, markets and supports database management system products that companies use to solve data management and data integration issues. It also provides related product support, training and consulting services to assist users of the Company’s products in developing and deploying software applications based on its products. The Company’s Versant Object Database product is used primarily by enterprises, which have data management requirements, such as technology providers, telecommunications carriers, Government defense agencies, defense contractors, healthcare companies and companies in the financial services and transportation industries.