Squarepoint Ops LLC Makes New Investment in VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EGY)

Squarepoint Ops LLC acquired a new stake in VAALCO Energy, Inc. (NYSE:EGY - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 113,831 shares of the energy company's stock, valued at approximately $497,000. Squarepoint Ops LLC owned 0.11% of VAALCO Energy as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Millennium Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of VAALCO Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $6,515,000. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd acquired a new position in shares of VAALCO Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $349,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of VAALCO Energy by 61.1% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 246,107 shares of the energy company's stock worth $1,075,000 after buying an additional 93,309 shares in the last quarter. Tieton Capital Management LLC raised its position in VAALCO Energy by 23.0% in the 4th quarter. Tieton Capital Management LLC now owns 1,805,053 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $7,888,000 after buying an additional 337,644 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Foundry Partners LLC raised its position in VAALCO Energy by 10.8% in the 4th quarter. Foundry Partners LLC now owns 1,330,413 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $5,814,000 after buying an additional 129,939 shares during the last quarter. 50.32% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Wall Street Zen downgraded VAALCO Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, May 16th.

VAALCO Energy Stock Up 2.2%

VAALCO Energy stock traded up $0.08 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $3.44. The company's stock had a trading volume of 974,174 shares, compared to its average volume of 945,441. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 1.34. VAALCO Energy, Inc. has a 12 month low of $3.00 and a 12 month high of $7.43. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $3.37 and its 200 day simple moving average is $4.01. The company has a market capitalization of $356.62 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.04 and a beta of 0.83.

VAALCO Energy (NYSE:EGY - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The energy company reported $0.06 EPS for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $0.06. The company had revenue of $110.33 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $99.30 million. VAALCO Energy had a net margin of 17.93% and a return on equity of 15.63%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that VAALCO Energy, Inc. will post 0.43 earnings per share for the current year.

VAALCO Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be paid a $0.0625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 23rd. This represents a $0.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.28%. VAALCO Energy's dividend payout ratio is 45.45%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, COO Thor Pruckl sold 10,169 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $3.95, for a total value of $40,167.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 174,992 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $691,218.40. This represents a 5.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 1.70% of the company's stock.

About VAALCO Energy

VAALCO Energy, Inc, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in Gabon, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, and Canada. The company holds 58.8% interest in the Etame production sharing contract related to the Etame Marin block covering an area of approximately 46,200 gross acres located offshore in the Republic of Gabon in West Africa.