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

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

Versant Stock Performance

VSNT stock opened at $43.14 on Friday. Versant has a fifty-two week low of $27.17 and a fifty-two week high of $59.00. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $39.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 2.32. The stock has a market cap of $6.09 billion and a P/E ratio of 21.68.

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 14th. The company reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.69 by $0.30. The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts forecast that Versant will post 4.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Versant Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Insider Transactions at Versant

In related news, Director Gerald L. Hassell acquired 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $36.07 per share, for a total transaction of $360,700.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 12,680 shares in the company, valued at approximately $457,367.60. This represents a 373.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Michael Aaron Conway acquired 1,350 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The stock was bought at an average price of $36.14 per share, for a total transaction of $48,789.00. Following the acquisition, the director owned 3,728 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $134,729.92. This trade represents a 56.77% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have purchased 154,350 shares of company stock worth $5,679,039. Company insiders own 7.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Versant

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VSNT. Citizens National Bank Trust Department bought a new stake in shares of Versant in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Versant in the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Parallel Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Versant in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Advocate Investing Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Versant in the 1st quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Livforsakringsbolaget Skandia Omsesidigt bought a new stake in shares of Versant in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000.

Versant Company Profile

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.