UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Acquires New Shares in Versant Corporation $VSNT

Key Points

• UBS Asset Management acquired 335,749 shares of Versant in the second quarter, valued at approximately $12.1 million and representing a 0.24% stake. Several other major institutional investors also established new positions.
• Versant reported quarterly earnings of $1.49 per share, exceeding the $1.39 analyst consensus, on revenue of $1.64 billion. Analysts expect full-year EPS of approximately $4.04.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.375 per share, equivalent to $1.50 annually and a 3.9% yield; analyst sentiment remains mostly neutral, with a consensus price target of $43.20 versus a recent share price of $38.61.

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Versant Corporation (NASDAQ:VSNT - Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 335,749 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $12,090,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.24% of Versant as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP acquired a new position in Versant during the 1st quarter worth $41,747,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Versant during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,331,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Versant during the first quarter worth approximately $25,317,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in shares of Versant during the 1st quarter worth $24,475,000. Finally, Empyrean Capital Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of Versant in the 1st quarter valued at $14,243,000.

Versant Price Performance

Shares of Versant stock opened at $38.61 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.36 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.09. Versant Corporation has a 1-year low of $27.17 and a 1-year high of $59.00. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $37.57 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $38.02. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The company reported $1.49 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter. On average, equities analysts predict that Versant Corporation will post 4.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Versant Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, October 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.375 per share. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 1st. Versant's dividend payout ratio is 43.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Arete Research raised shares of Versant from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and set a $40.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, July 17th. Zacks Research cut Versant from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, August 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Versant in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $43.00 price objective for the company. Seaport Research Partners reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $46.00 price target on shares of Versant in a report on Monday, May 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on Versant from $37.00 to $42.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 14th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $43.20.

Versant 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.

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