VSE (NASDAQ:VSEC) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume - Here's Why

Shares of VSE Co. (NASDAQ:VSEC - Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Tuesday . Approximately 235,726 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 8% from the previous session's volume of 219,102 shares.The stock last traded at $130.13 and had previously closed at $130.19.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VSEC has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price objective on VSE from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. B. Riley increased their price objective on VSE from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded VSE to a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price objective on VSE from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, VSE has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $125.17.

VSE Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $2.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 164.81 and a beta of 1.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 3.69 and a quick ratio of 1.15. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $120.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $111.84.

VSE (NASDAQ:VSEC - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The construction company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $256.05 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $248.20 million. VSE had a return on equity of 7.26% and a net margin of 1.36%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 57.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.45 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that VSE Co. will post 2.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

VSE Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 16th will be issued a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.30%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 16th. VSE's dividend payout ratio is 50.00%.

Insider Activity at VSE

In other news, Director Anita D. Britt sold 2,869 shares of VSE stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.38, for a total transaction of $371,191.22. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,837 shares in the company, valued at $496,431.06. The trade was a 42.78% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 14.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On VSE

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of VSE by 711.2% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 40,770 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $3,374,000 after purchasing an additional 35,744 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its position in VSE by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 15,955 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,517,000 after buying an additional 490 shares during the last quarter. Truist Financial Corp acquired a new stake in VSE in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $557,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in VSE in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $24,018,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG raised its position in VSE by 76.2% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 12,963 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $1,233,000 after buying an additional 5,608 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.54% of the company's stock.

VSE Company Profile

VSE Corporation operates as a diversified aftermarket products and services company in the United States. The company operates through two segments, Aviation and Fleet. The Aviation segment provides aftermarket parts supply and distribution; maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for components and engine accessories supporting commercial, business, and general aviation operators.