Versant Corporation (NASDAQ:VSNT) Receives Average Recommendation of "Hold" from Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts' consensus: Hold — Seven analysts average a "Hold" rating (2 sell, 3 hold, 1 buy, 1 strong buy) with a 1‑year target price of $37.75.
• Significant insider buying — Directors Gerald L. Hassell bought 10,000 shares at $36.07 and David C. Novak bought 143,000 shares at $36.85; insiders purchased 154,350 shares (~$5.68M) in the last 90 days and now own 7.60% of the stock.
• Dividend and price context — Versant will pay a $0.375 dividend on April 22 (ex‑dividend April 1); the stock recently traded at $37.81 and has a 52‑week range of $27.17–$59.00.

Shares of Versant Corporation (NASDAQ:VSNT - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of "Hold" from the seven analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $37.75.

VSNT has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Versant in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $34.00 price target for the company. Arete Research raised Versant to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Zacks Research raised Versant from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Wall Street Zen raised Versant to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, January 24th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Versant in a report on Tuesday, January 13th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $52.00 price target for the company.

Versant Price Performance

VSNT traded down $0.72 on Thursday, reaching $37.81. The company's stock had a trading volume of 129,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,412,859. The company has a quick ratio of 4.02, a current ratio of 4.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09. Versant has a fifty-two week low of $27.17 and a fifty-two week high of $59.00.

Versant Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 22nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, April 1st will be issued a $0.375 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 1st.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Gerald L. Hassell acquired 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $36.07 per share, with a total value of $360,700.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 12,680 shares of the company's stock, valued at $457,367.60. The trade was a 373.13% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director David C. Novak acquired 143,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 5th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $36.85 per share, with a total value of $5,269,550.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 158,560 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,842,936. This trade represents a 919.02% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders bought 154,350 shares of company stock valued at $5,679,039. 7.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Versant

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of VSNT. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $24,134,000. Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $795,000. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $646,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Finally, Barclays PLC acquired a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $112,000.

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.

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