Q3 EPS Estimates for Vital Energy Decreased by Analyst

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Capital One Financial dropped their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Vital Energy in a research note issued on Wednesday, May 14th. Capital One Financial analyst B. Velie now anticipates that the company will earn $2.00 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.35. The consensus estimate for Vital Energy's current full-year earnings is $8.49 per share.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $2.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.11 by $0.26. Vital Energy had a positive return on equity of 9.48% and a negative net margin of 8.89%. The company had revenue of $512.18 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $528.76 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.84 earnings per share. Vital Energy's revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on VTLE. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on Vital Energy from $23.00 to $16.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Williams Trading set a $27.00 target price on Vital Energy in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Citigroup cut Vital Energy to a "reduce" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Mizuho dropped their target price on Vital Energy from $29.00 to $23.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Vital Energy from $36.00 to $24.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $30.36.

Vital Energy Trading Up 0.9%

NYSE:VTLE traded up $0.14 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $15.23. The stock had a trading volume of 1,093,023 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,089,545. Vital Energy has a one year low of $12.30 and a one year high of $49.20. The company has a market capitalization of $590.28 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.21 and a beta of 1.53. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $16.59 and a 200 day moving average of $25.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91.

Insider Transactions at Vital Energy

In other news, EVP Mark David Denny sold 5,974 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.73, for a total value of $123,841.02. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,494 shares of the company's stock, valued at $880,900.62. This trade represents a 12.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Bryan Lemmerman sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.73, for a total value of $207,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 97,556 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,022,335.88. The trade was a 9.30% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 21,647 shares of company stock valued at $448,742 in the last quarter. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vital Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VTLE. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Vital Energy by 805.9% in the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 915 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd purchased a new position in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter worth $34,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Vital Energy by 276.9% in the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the company's stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 803 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new position in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its stake in Vital Energy by 247.4% in the 4th quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,553 shares of the company's stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 1,106 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.54% of the company's stock.

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.