Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Analysts

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) has been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the thirteen ratings firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have given a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $41.00.

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Vital Energy from $32.00 to $24.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 6th. Wolfe Research upgraded Vital Energy from an “underperform” rating to a “peer perform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Vital Energy from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective 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. Finally, Williams Trading set a $27.00 price objective on Vital Energy in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th.

Institutional Trading of Vital Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. First Horizon Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vital Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Vital Energy by 805.9% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 915 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 814 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Vital Energy by 276.9% during the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 803 shares during the period. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Vital Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Vital Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $37,000. 86.54% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vital Energy Price Performance

VTLE stock opened at $20.42 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $31.56 and a 200-day moving average of $30.52. Vital Energy has a 12-month low of $20.00 and a 12-month high of $58.30. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91. The company has a market cap of $778.43 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.30 and a beta of 3.07.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The company reported $2.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company had revenue of $534.37 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $550.90 million. As a group, equities analysts expect that Vital Energy will post 8.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Vital Energy

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.