Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) Rating Lowered to “Hold” at Zacks Research

Versant (NASDAQ:VSNT) was downgraded by Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Monday,Zacks.com reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on VSNT. TD Cowen assumed coverage on Versant in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. They issued a “hold” rating and a $32.00 target price on the stock. Arete Research raised Versant to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 7th. Seaport Research Partners initiated coverage on shares of Versant in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. They issued a “buy” rating and a $45.00 target price on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised Versant to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Versant in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $34.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, four have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Versant presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $37.75.

Versant Trading Down 1.3%

Shares of Versant stock opened at $40.88 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $37.14. Versant has a 1 year low of $27.17 and a 1 year high of $59.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.09, a current ratio of 4.02 and a quick ratio of 4.02.

Insider Buying and Selling at Versant

In related news, Director Michael Aaron Conway bought 1,350 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $36.14 per share, for a total transaction of $48,789.00. Following the acquisition, the director directly owned 3,728 shares in the company, valued at approximately $134,729.92. This trade represents a 56.77% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director David C. Novak acquired 143,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 acquisition, the director directly owned 158,560 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,842,936. This trade represents a 919.02% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Insiders bought 154,350 shares of company stock valued at $5,679,039 over the last quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Versant

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new stake in shares of Versant in the 4th quarter valued at about $24,134,000. Cheviot Value Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Versant during the fourth quarter worth $795,000. HBK Sorce Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at about $646,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC purchased a new stake in Versant in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $203,000. Finally, Barclays PLC purchased a new stake in shares of Versant in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $112,000.

Versant Company Profile

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.