Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Vermilion Energy Inc. (NYSE:VET - Get Free Report) TSE: VET was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 16,090,000 shares, a growth of 20.6% from the March 15th total of 13,340,000 shares. Approximately 10.5% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,230,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 13.1 days.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VET has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Atb Cap Markets cut shares of Vermilion Energy from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. StockNews.com cut shares of Vermilion Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, March 15th. Finally, Desjardins lowered Vermilion Energy from a "moderate buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, March 18th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vermilion Energy

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Vermilion Energy by 1,123.6% in the 4th quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 4,356 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 4,000 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Vermilion Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $94,000. Citizens Financial Group Inc. RI acquired a new stake in shares of Vermilion Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $103,000. Amundi raised its stake in Vermilion Energy by 74.0% in the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 11,020 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $104,000 after purchasing an additional 4,685 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hsbc Holdings PLC acquired a new position in Vermilion Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $104,000. 31.91% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vermilion Energy Stock Performance

NYSE VET traded up $0.10 on Friday, hitting $6.44. 249,573 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,159,054. The firm has a market cap of $995.04 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.72 and a beta of 1.43. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $7.49 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $8.93. Vermilion Energy has a fifty-two week low of $5.14 and a fifty-two week high of $12.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Vermilion Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, April 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.0903 per share. This represents a $0.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.61%. This is an increase from Vermilion Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 31st. Vermilion Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -163.64%.

About Vermilion Energy

Vermilion Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of petroleum and natural gas. The company has properties in West Central Alberta, southeast Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and West Pembina in Canada; Wyoming in the United States; southwest Bordeaux and Paris Basin in France; the Netherlands; Germany; Ireland; Croatia; Slovakia; and Australia.