Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) Trading 8.4% Higher - Here's What Happened

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE - Get Free Report)'s stock price was up 8.4% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $16.70 and last traded at $16.57. Approximately 533,020 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 51% from the average daily volume of 1,089,044 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have weighed in on VTLE. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Vital Energy from $49.00 to $47.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Siebert Williams Shank downgraded Vital Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and decreased their price objective for the stock from $62.00 to $27.00 in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Vital Energy from $23.00 to $16.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Citigroup lowered Vital Energy to a "reduce" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Vital Energy from $34.00 to $23.00 and set an "underweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $30.36.

Vital Energy Stock Performance

The company's 50-day moving average price is $15.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $24.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $663.90 million, a PE ratio of -3.61 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.78.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $2.37 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.11 by $0.26. Vital Energy had a negative net margin of 8.89% and a positive return on equity of 9.48%. The business had revenue of $512.18 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $528.76 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.84 earnings per share. Vital Energy's quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts expect that Vital Energy, Inc. will post 8.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Vital Energy

In other Vital Energy news, major shareholder Richard D. Campbell purchased 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, April 3rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $17.75 per share, with a total value of $88,750.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 43,072 shares in the company, valued at approximately $764,528. The trade was a 13.13% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO M. Jason Pigott acquired 5,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $18.09 per share, for a total transaction of $99,495.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 251,533 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,550,231.97. This trade represents a 2.24% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,647 shares of company stock worth $448,742 over the last ninety days. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vital Energy

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in Vital Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $788,000. Jennison Associates LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vital Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $750,000. Wolverine Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vital Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,292,000. Northern Trust Corp increased its position in shares of Vital Energy by 14.5% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 304,345 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,410,000 after acquiring an additional 38,537 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its holdings in Vital Energy by 25.8% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 504,885 shares of the company's stock worth $15,611,000 after acquiring an additional 103,583 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.54% of the company's stock.

Vital Energy Company Profile

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.