Wakefield Asset Management LLLP Takes Position in Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE)

Wakefield Asset Management LLLP purchased a new position in Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor purchased 39,032 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $828,000. Wakefield Asset Management LLLP owned 0.10% of Vital Energy at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of VTLE. Woodline Partners LP acquired a new stake in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $39,392,000. Condire Management LP acquired a new stake in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $19,066,000. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new stake in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $15,995,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $4,022,000. Finally, Westwood Holdings Group Inc. grew its stake in Vital Energy by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 2,214,295 shares of the company's stock valued at $68,466,000 after acquiring an additional 118,367 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.54% of the company's stock.

Vital Energy Stock Up 4.6%

Shares of VTLE stock traded up $0.83 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $18.73. 1,462,908 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,154,974. The business's fifty day moving average is $17.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Vital Energy, Inc. has a 12-month low of $12.30 and a 12-month high of $44.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $726.24 million, a P/E ratio of -5.54 and a beta of 1.60.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $2.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.11 by $0.26. Vital Energy had a negative net margin of 6.37% and a positive return on equity of 10.34%. The firm had revenue of $512.18 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $528.76 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.84 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Vital Energy, Inc. will post 8.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company restated a "mixed" rating on shares of Vital Energy in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Mizuho decreased their price objective on Vital Energy from $29.00 to $23.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Vital Energy from $33.00 to $27.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 1st. Piper Sandler restated a "neutral" rating and issued a $17.00 price objective (up from $15.00) on shares of Vital Energy in a report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Raymond James Financial lowered shares of Vital Energy from an "outperform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Vital Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $28.30.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, major shareholder Richard D. Campbell sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.12, for a total value of $906,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,568,933 shares of the company's stock, valued at $137,149,065.96. This represents a 0.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO M. Jason Pigott purchased 5,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $18.09 per share, with a total value of $99,495.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 251,533 shares of the company's stock, valued at $4,550,231.97. This represents a 2.24% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.