Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 1,300 shares, a decline of 100.0% from the November 30th total of 5,578,987 shares. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 664,733 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 664,733 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Currently, 0.0% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VTLE has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “sell (d)” rating on shares of Vital Energy in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Vital Energy in a research report on Monday, November 17th. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Vital Energy from $30.00 to $25.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 18th. Mizuho set a $23.00 price objective on shares of Vital Energy in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered shares of Vital Energy from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, October 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and four have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $27.22.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Vital Energy by 58.7% during the second quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 2,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 740 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its stake in Vital Energy by 477.5% in the third quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 2,362 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 1,953 shares in the last quarter. FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Vital Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $58,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its position in Vital Energy by 30.5% during the 2nd quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 4,304 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signaturefd LLC raised its position in Vital Energy by 146.8% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 4,685 shares of the company’s stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 2,787 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.54% of the company’s stock.

Vital Energy Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of VTLE traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $18.11. 2,717,531 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 585,657. Vital Energy has a 12 month low of $12.30 and a 12 month high of $36.72. The company has a quick ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $17.05 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $17.18. The company has a market capitalization of $700.71 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.52 and a beta of 1.12.

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 3rd. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.59 by ($0.07). The company had revenue of $420.83 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $458.87 million. Vital Energy had a positive return on equity of 13.40% and a negative net margin of 69.28%.Vital Energy’s revenue for the quarter was down 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.61 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Vital Energy will post 8.49 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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. Vital Energy, Inc was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.