VSE (NASDAQ:VSEC) Shares Down 6.6% - Here's Why

VSE Corporation (NASDAQ:VSEC - Get Free Report)'s stock price was down 6.6% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $132.94 and last traded at $126.94. Approximately 105,929 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average daily volume of 219,600 shares. The stock had previously closed at $135.84.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on VSEC. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their target price on shares of VSE from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of VSE from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. B. Riley boosted their target price on VSE from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded VSE to a "sell" rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $125.17.

VSE Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of $2.64 billion, a PE ratio of 159.47 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a quick ratio of 2.12, a current ratio of 3.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a 50-day moving average of $126.98 and a 200-day moving average of $113.92.

VSE (NASDAQ:VSEC - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The construction company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.23. The firm had revenue of $256.05 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $248.20 million. VSE had a net margin of 1.41% and a return on equity of 6.62%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 57.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.45 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that VSE Corporation will post 2.96 earnings per share for the current year.

VSE Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 16th will be paid a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 16th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.31%. VSE's payout ratio is presently 50.00%.

Insider Activity at VSE

In related news, Director Anita D. Britt sold 2,869 shares of VSE stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.38, for a total value of $371,191.22. Following the sale, the director now owns 3,837 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $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 can be accessed through this hyperlink. 14.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Amalgamated Bank raised its stake in shares of VSE by 36.5% during the 1st quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 610 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $73,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its position in shares of VSE by 14.5% during the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 1,842 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $175,000 after buying an additional 233 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of VSE by 8.5% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 3,278 shares of the construction company's stock worth $393,000 after buying an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. Corebridge Financial Inc. boosted its position in shares of VSE by 3.0% in the fourth quarter. Corebridge Financial Inc. now owns 8,753 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $832,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the period. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its position in shares of VSE by 21.7% in the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,449 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $138,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 91.54% of the company's stock.

About VSE

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.

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