Mizuho Cuts Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) Price Target to $23.00

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) had its target price reduced by Mizuho from $29.00 to $23.00 in a report published on Tuesday morning,Benzinga reports. Mizuho currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

VTLE has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Siebert Williams Shank downgraded Vital Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $62.00 to $27.00 in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Vital Energy from $34.00 to $23.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, March 13th. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Vital Energy from $24.00 to $23.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on Vital Energy from $36.00 to $24.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, March 25th. Finally, Williams Trading set a $27.00 price objective on Vital Energy in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $30.36.

Vital Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:VTLE opened at $16.73 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $17.27 and a 200 day moving average of $26.22. The company has a market capitalization of $648.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.52 and a beta of 1.53. Vital Energy has a 1-year low of $12.30 and a 1-year high of $51.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) 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. The company had revenue of $512.18 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $528.76 million. Vital Energy had a positive return on equity of 9.48% and a negative net margin of 8.89%. Vital Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.84 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Vital Energy will post 8.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Mark David Denny sold 5,974 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.73, for a total value of $123,841.02. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 42,494 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $880,900.62. This trade represents a 12.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CFO Bryan Lemmerman sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.73, for a total value of $207,300.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 97,556 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,022,335.88. This trade represents a 9.30% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,647 shares of company stock valued at $448,742. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vital Energy

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Vital Energy by 805.9% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 915 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 814 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd bought a new position in Vital Energy in the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Vital Energy by 276.9% in the fourth quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,093 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 803 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP bought a new position in Vital Energy in the fourth quarter worth $37,000. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB raised its holdings in Vital Energy by 247.4% in the fourth quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 1,553 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 1,106 shares in the last quarter. 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.