Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) Stock Price Up 5.2% - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Vital Energy shares increased by 5.2% to $19.56, despite trading volume dropping by 81% compared to its average daily volume.
• Equities analysts have mixed opinions, with Mizuho lowering its price target from $29 to $23 and a consensus rating of "Hold" with an average price target of $28.30.
• Insider activity includes CEO M. Jason Pigott buying 5,500 shares, while major shareholder Richard D. Campbell sold 250,000 shares, reflecting significant trading within the company.

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE - Get Free Report)'s share price shot up 5.2% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $19.52 and last traded at $19.56. 234,469 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average session volume of 1,245,222 shares. The stock had previously closed at $18.58.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on VTLE. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Vital Energy from $29.00 to $23.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Piper Sandler reiterated 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. Raymond James Financial lowered Vital Energy from an "outperform" rating to an "underperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company restated a "mixed" rating on shares of Vital Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Four investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $28.30.

Vital Energy Trading Down 9.5%

The company has a fifty day moving average of $17.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $21.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $655.95 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.01 and a beta of 1.60.

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 for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates 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 company earned $1.84 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Vital Energy, Inc. will post 8.49 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Institutional Trading of Vital Energy

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Woodline Partners LP purchased a new stake in Vital Energy during the fourth quarter worth $39,392,000. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Vital Energy by 48.3% in the first quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. now owns 3,284,584 shares of the company's stock valued at $69,699,000 after purchasing an additional 1,070,289 shares during the last quarter. Condire Management LP purchased a new position in Vital Energy during the fourth quarter worth $19,066,000. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new position in Vital Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $15,995,000. Finally, Ancient Art L.P. acquired a new position in shares of Vital Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $7,109,000. 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.