Vaalco Energy (NYSE:EGY) Stock Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average – Should You Sell?

Shares of Vaalco Energy Inc (NYSE:EGY) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $5.35 and traded as high as $5.35. Vaalco Energy shares last traded at $5.2750, with a volume of 962,195 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Vaalco Energy from a “hold (c-)” rating to a “sell (d+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 12th. Zacks Research raised shares of Vaalco Energy from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Vaalco Energy from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, May 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $7.30.

Vaalco Energy Trading Down 0.5%

The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $5.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $549.97 million, a PE ratio of -3.85 and a beta of 0.09.

Vaalco Energy (NYSE:EGY) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The energy company reported ($0.45) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.01) by ($0.44). The company had revenue of $62.60 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $78.20 million. Vaalco Energy had a negative return on equity of 12.74% and a negative net margin of 45.86%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Vaalco Energy Inc will post 0.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vaalco Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 22nd were paid a $0.0625 dividend. This represents a $0.25 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 22nd. Vaalco Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -18.25%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vaalco Energy

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Vaalco Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Vaalco Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Vaalco Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $47,000. StoneX Group Inc. purchased a new position in Vaalco Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Vaalco Energy during the third quarter valued at $55,000. Institutional investors own 50.32% of the company’s stock.

About Vaalco Energy

Vaalco Energy, Inc is an independent energy company principally engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Vaalco concentrates on offshore assets in West Africa, with a strategic emphasis on maintaining and optimizing cash-flow–generating properties. Founded in the mid-1980s, the company has built its reputation by focusing on high-impact drilling prospects and extending the productive life of its core fields through targeted infill wells and enhanced recovery techniques.

The company’s primary producing asset is the Etame Marin block offshore Gabon, where Vaalco holds a majority interest and serves as operator.