The announcement of VAALCO Energy's dividend and the subsequent ex-dividend date typically leads to a short-term price adjustment in the stock. Investors buying before the ex-dividend date are eligible for the dividend, often causing a temporary increase in buying interest before this date. However, the stock is expected to open lower on the ex-dividend date by the amount of the dividend, reflecting the payout adjustment. This is a common occurrence with dividend-paying stocks and is likely to result in a short-term decrease in stock price.