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

Shares of VSE Corporation (NASDAQ:VSEC - Get Free Report) were down 6.6% during trading 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 Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on VSEC shares. Wall Street Zen upgraded VSE to a "sell" rating in a research note on Thursday, March 6th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price target 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. B. Riley boosted their price target on shares of VSE from $145.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, May 8th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of VSE from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $130.00.

VSE Price Performance

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's fifty day moving average is $127.81 and its 200 day moving average is $114.13. The firm has a market cap of $2.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 162.83 and a beta of 1.29.

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

VSE Dividend Announcement

The company 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 dividend of $0.10 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 16th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.31%. VSE's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 50.00%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Anita D. Britt sold 2,869 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.38, for a total transaction of $371,191.22. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,837 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $496,431.06. This represents 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. 2.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of VSE

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its holdings in shares of VSE by 56.6% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 50,422 shares of the construction company's stock worth $6,050,000 after purchasing an additional 18,220 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP raised its position in VSE by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 113,193 shares of the construction company's stock worth $13,582,000 after purchasing an additional 353 shares during the last quarter. Axiom Investors LLC DE acquired a new position in VSE during the 1st quarter worth about $8,915,000. Fred Alger Management LLC lifted its holdings in VSE by 40.2% during the 1st quarter. Fred Alger Management LLC now owns 361,648 shares of the construction company's stock worth $43,394,000 after buying an additional 103,712 shares during the period. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. grew its position in shares of VSE by 10.4% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 346,390 shares of the construction company's stock valued at $41,563,000 after buying an additional 32,489 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.