Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM) Upgraded to Strong-Buy at Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research upgraded Viper Energy to “strong buy” from “hold” and projected 2028 earnings of $2.38 per share. The broader analyst consensus remains “buy,” with an average price target of $56.93.
• Viper Energy reported quarterly EPS of $0.76, in line with estimates, while revenue of $677 million exceeded expectations and rose 127.9% year over year.
• Shares opened at $41.59, below the 50-day and 200-day moving averages, while institutional investors own 87.72% of the stock.

Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM - Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a note issued to investors on Monday, Zacks reports. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Viper Energy's Q2 2028 earnings at $0.58 EPS, Q3 2028 earnings at $0.62 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $2.38 EPS.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Viper Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday. Roth Capital reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Viper Energy in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Viper Energy from $49.00 to $46.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 29th. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Viper Energy from $58.00 to $56.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $57.00 target price on shares of Viper Energy in a research report on Friday, July 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, sixteen have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $56.93.

Viper Energy Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:VNOM opened at $41.59 on Monday. The company's fifty day moving average price is $43.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $44.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 319.95 and a beta of 0.50. Viper Energy has a one year low of $35.10 and a one year high of $51.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a current ratio of 6.37 and a quick ratio of 6.37.

Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 3rd. The oil and gas producer reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.76. Viper Energy had a net margin of 2.89% and a return on equity of 3.43%. The firm had revenue of $677.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $643.45 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.41 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 127.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Viper Energy will post 2.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Viper Energy

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Stephens Inc. AR increased its stake in shares of Viper Energy by 1.8% in the 1st quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 13,720 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $645,000 after purchasing an additional 245 shares in the last quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in Viper Energy by 1.2% during the first quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 21,849 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $1,027,000 after purchasing an additional 268 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its position in Viper Energy by 0.6% during the second quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 52,276 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $2,217,000 after purchasing an additional 312 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Viper Energy by 31.2% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,354 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares during the period. Finally, Apollon Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Viper Energy by 1.8% during the first quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 21,036 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $988,000 after purchasing an additional 368 shares during the period. 87.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Viper Energy Company Profile

Viper Energy, Inc NASDAQ: VNOM is an oil and gas company that owns and acquires mineral, royalty and overriding royalty interests in properties operated primarily by other exploration and production companies. Its interests provide exposure to production from wells without requiring Viper to fund most drilling and completion activities.

The company's assets are concentrated in the Permian Basin of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, including the Midland and Delaware sub-basins. Viper's interests are associated mainly with oil and natural gas development and generate revenue from its share of production, while its broad and diversified ownership position spans numerous wells and acreage holdings.

Viper Energy was established as Viper Energy Partners and became a publicly traded master limited partnership in 2014.

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