UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Increases Stock Holdings in Viper Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VNOM)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in shares of Viper Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VNOM - Free Report) by 14.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 166,652 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock after acquiring an additional 21,582 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned 0.08% of Viper Energy worth $8,178,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Viper Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Viper Energy during the fourth quarter worth approximately $32,000. Assetmark Inc. increased its stake in shares of Viper Energy by 321.7% during the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 679 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 518 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Viper Energy by 43.9% in the fourth quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 701 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd acquired a new position in Viper Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 87.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on VNOM. Barclays upped their price target on Viper Energy from $57.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Viper Energy from $51.00 to $48.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 21st. TD Securities increased their price objective on Viper Energy from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Viper Energy from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Viper Energy from $49.00 to $47.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Viper Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $56.38.

Viper Energy Price Performance

Shares of VNOM traded down $1.29 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $40.14. 2,541,558 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,342,261. The company has a quick ratio of 7.24, a current ratio of 7.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.58 billion, a PE ratio of 17.23 and a beta of 1.05. Viper Energy, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $34.71 and a fifty-two week high of $56.76. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $40.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.87.

Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.45 by $0.09. Viper Energy had a return on equity of 6.72% and a net margin of 24.65%. The firm had revenue of $245.00 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $233.99 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.49 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Viper Energy, Inc. will post 2.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Viper Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 15th were paid a $0.30 dividend. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 15th. Viper Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 31.58%.

Viper Energy Profile

Viper Energy, Inc engages in the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. It owns, acquires, and exploits oil and natural gas properties in North America. The company was founded on February 27, 2014 and is headquartered in Midland, TX.