Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Key Points

• Vital Energy, Inc. experienced a dramatic increase in short interest, rising by 2,349.0% in July, with approximately 24.6% of its stock now sold short.
• The company reported $2.37 earnings per share for its last quarter, exceeding estimates, with a 6.2% year-over-year revenue growth.
• Analysts have mixed opinions on Vital Energy's stock, with the consensus rating being "Hold" and a price target averaging $28.30.

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 7,450,000 shares, anincreaseof2,349.0% from the June 30th total of 304,200 shares. Approximately24.6% of the company's stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 1,300,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.7 days. Based on an average trading volume of 1,300,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 5.7 days. Approximately24.6% of the company's stock are sold short.

Vital Energy Price Performance

VTLE stock traded down $1.77 during trading on Friday, hitting $16.92. 1,511,406 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,251,682. The stock has a market capitalization of $655.99 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.01 and a beta of 1.60. Vital Energy has a 52 week low of $12.30 and a 52 week high of $41.86. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $17.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $21.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Insider Transactions at Vital Energy

In other Vital Energy news, major shareholder Richard D. Campbell sold 50,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.12, for a total transaction of $906,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 7,568,933 shares in the company, valued at $137,149,065.96. The trade was a 0.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CEO M. Jason Pigott acquired 5,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was bought at an average price 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 trade 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 insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vital Energy

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of VTLE. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Vital Energy by 805.9% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 915 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 814 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Vital Energy by 58.7% in the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 740 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Vital Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vital Energy in the second quarter valued at $58,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in shares of Vital Energy by 146.8% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,685 shares of the company's stock valued at $75,000 after acquiring an additional 2,787 shares in the last quarter. 86.54% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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