Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) Shares Gap Down – Here’s What Happened

Shares of Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $23.05, but opened at $22.21. Vital Energy shares last traded at $21.44, with a volume of 285,342 shares changing hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Siebert Williams Shank lowered shares of Vital Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $62.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Vital Energy from $37.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 14th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Vital Energy from $34.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Truist Financial reduced their price target on shares of Vital Energy from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their target price on Vital Energy from $27.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $44.00.

Vital Energy Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $808.39 million, a P/E ratio of -4.47 and a beta of 3.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.78. The company’s 50 day moving average is $32.23 and its 200 day moving average is $30.93.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The company reported $2.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.03 by $0.27. Vital Energy had a negative net margin of 8.89% and a positive return on equity of 9.48%. The firm had revenue of $534.37 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $550.90 million. As a group, equities analysts predict that Vital Energy, Inc. will post 8.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Versor Investments LP boosted its holdings in Vital Energy by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. Versor Investments LP now owns 14,900 shares of the company’s stock worth $401,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue raised its position in Vital Energy by 2.7% in the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 15,392 shares of the company’s stock worth $414,000 after purchasing an additional 409 shares during the period. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its stake in shares of Vital Energy by 3.6% in the 3rd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 14,490 shares of the company’s stock valued at $390,000 after acquiring an additional 503 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Vital Energy by 3.4% in the fourth quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 16,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $503,000 after purchasing an additional 535 shares during the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE grew its holdings in Vital Energy by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 6,971 shares of the company’s stock worth $216,000 after acquiring an additional 581 shares during the last quarter. 86.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Vital Energy Company Profile

Vital Energy, Inc, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas, the United States. The company was formerly known as Laredo Petroleum, Inc and changed its name to Vital Energy, Inc in January 2023.