Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat: What do you think of Vermilion Energy? Thank you.

Article Excerpt

A: Vermilion Energy, $51.07, symbol VET on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 116.6 million; Market cap: $6.1 billion; www.vermilionenergy.com), produces oil and gas in Canada, France, Ireland, the Netherlands and Australia. In the three months ended September 30, 2016, the company’s production rose 13.0%, to 63,596 barrels of oil equivalent per day (including gas) from an average 56,280 barrels a year earlier. Cash flow per share rose 3.4%, to $1.21 from $1.17. To conserve cash while it waited for oil and gas prices to recover, Vermilion cut its 2016 exploration and development spending by 27.8%, to $350 million. It spent $485 million in 2015, and plans to spend $295 million in 2017. The company aims to grow across all of its main regions. In Western Canada, it plans to increase its production of conventional oil and gas, including light oil and liquids-rich natural gas. It will also increase its exploration and development activities in Europe and produce more oil in Australia. The shares yield 5.1%. Vermilion…