Vanguard Group Inc. Acquires 60,476 Shares of Vitesse Energy, Inc. $VTS

Key Points

• Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Vitesse Energy, acquiring an additional 60,476 shares, bringing its total ownership to 2,515,479 shares valued at around $61.9 million.
• Analysts have mixed ratings on Vitesse Energy's stock, with one upgrading it to a "strong buy" and another downgrading it to a "market perform," while the consensus target price is $26.50.
• Vitesse Energy recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.5625, representing an annualized yield of 8.5%, with a payout ratio currently at 212.26%.

Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Vitesse Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTS - Free Report) by 2.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,515,479 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 60,476 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. owned approximately 6.52% of Vitesse Energy worth $61,856,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in Vitesse Energy by 2,023.8% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 6,074 shares of the company's stock worth $149,000 after buying an additional 5,788 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets purchased a new position in Vitesse Energy during the fourth quarter worth $162,000. GF Fund Management CO. LTD. purchased a new position in Vitesse Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $189,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Vitesse Energy during the 1st quarter worth $206,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Vitesse Energy by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 9,260 shares of the company's stock worth $228,000 after buying an additional 476 shares during the last quarter. 51.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the company. Northland Capmk upgraded Vitesse Energy to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Wall Street Zen raised Vitesse Energy from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Northland Securities lowered Vitesse Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and set a $19.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Zacks Research raised Vitesse Energy to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, August 8th. Finally, Alliance Global Partners assumed coverage on Vitesse Energy in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. They set a "buy" rating and a $26.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Vitesse Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $26.50.

Vitesse Energy Stock Down 0.1%

Shares of VTS traded down $0.04 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $26.79. 148,120 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 302,711. The firm's 50 day moving average is $24.13 and its 200-day moving average is $23.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a current ratio of 0.95. Vitesse Energy, Inc. has a 52 week low of $18.90 and a 52 week high of $28.41. The company has a market cap of $1.03 billion, a PE ratio of 25.28 and a beta of 0.67.

Vitesse Energy (NYSE:VTS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, August 4th. The company reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.10 by $0.50. Vitesse Energy had a net margin of 15.12% and a return on equity of 7.25%. The firm had revenue of $81.76 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $69.78 million. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Vitesse Energy, Inc. will post 1.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vitesse Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.5625 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. This represents a $2.25 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.4%. Vitesse Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 212.26%.

About Vitesse Energy

Vitesse Energy, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, development, and production of non-operated oil and natural gas properties in the United States. It owns and acquires non-operated working interest and royalty interest ownership in the Williston Basin properties located in North Dakota and Montana.