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Vital Energy (VTLE) Stock Overview
An independent energy company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas, United States. More details
| Snowflake Score | |
|---|---|
| Valuation | 5/6 |
| Future Growth | 3/6 |
| Past Performance | 0/6 |
| Financial Health | 3/6 |
| Dividends | 0/6 |
Rewards
Risk Analysis
No risks detected for VTLE from our risk checks.
VTLE Community Fair Values
Create NarrativeSee what 11 others think this stock is worth. Follow their fair value or set your own to get alerts.
Analyst Price Targets
Vital Energy, Inc. Competitors
Price History & Performance
| Historical stock prices | |
|---|---|
| Current Share Price | US$17.92 |
| 52 Week High | US$36.72 |
| 52 Week Low | US$12.30 |
| Beta | 1.13 |
| 1 Month Change | 2.22% |
| 3 Month Change | 9.40% |
| 1 Year Change | -39.15% |
| 3 Year Change | -64.70% |
| 5 Year Change | -7.82% |
| Change since IPO | -95.05% |
Recent News & Updates
Narrative Update • Dec 12
VTLE: Rising Capital Efficiency And Secular Gas Demand Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have modestly trimmed their price target on Vital Energy to approximately $28.00 per share, reflecting a more cautious view on sector-wide oil and gas macro trends, even as company level margins and efficiency assumptions improve. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts note that, despite near term volatility in commodity markets, Vital Energy continues to screen attractively on an execution adjusted valuation basis, with recent model updates reflecting better operating efficiency and cost control.
Narrative Update • Nov 16
VTLE: Sector Optimism and Upcoming Merger Will Drive Shares Higher
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Vital Energy from $20.14 to $21.25 per share. They cited an improved outlook on capital efficiency and sector sentiment as key drivers for the adjustment.Recent updates
Narrative Update • Dec 12
VTLE: Rising Capital Efficiency And Secular Gas Demand Will Drive Future Upside
Analysts have modestly trimmed their price target on Vital Energy to approximately $28.00 per share, reflecting a more cautious view on sector-wide oil and gas macro trends, even as company level margins and efficiency assumptions improve. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts note that, despite near term volatility in commodity markets, Vital Energy continues to screen attractively on an execution adjusted valuation basis, with recent model updates reflecting better operating efficiency and cost control.Narrative Update • Nov 16
VTLE: Sector Optimism and Upcoming Merger Will Drive Shares Higher
Analysts have raised their fair value estimate for Vital Energy from $20.14 to $21.25 per share. They cited an improved outlook on capital efficiency and sector sentiment as key drivers for the adjustment.Narrative Update • Aug 28
Longer Laterals And Lower Costs Will Fuel Permian Efficiency
Vital Energy's analyst price target was raised from $18.88 to $20.14, reflecting sustained long-term natural gas demand and data center-driven power needs, though the stock is now trading on acquisition dynamics rather than fundamentals. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts highlighted the long-term demand for natural gas, driven by accelerated power generation needs and significant data center expansion, following $90B in new investment announcements.Seeking Alpha • Aug 07
Vital Energy: An Adjusted Earnings Beat
Summary Vital Energy beat earnings estimates, posting over $2 per share in adjusted earnings versus the expected $1.77 per share. The company anticipates generating roughly $300 million in free cash flow, with most of it expected in the fourth quarter. Significant cost reductions are underway. Noncash impairments reflect current commodity price weakness. Well design improvements (particularly for small acreage positions) would appear to be able to lower the company breakeven point. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Apr 22
Vital Energy: The Acquisitions Have Considerable Benefits
Summary Vital Energy's acquisitions in the Delaware and Midland Basins are expected to lower production costs and enhance profitability. Industry respondents indicate that new well investments require WTI prices between $61 and $70. Larger firms have a cost advantage. Rising steel prices and budget uncertainties could impact future industry spending. Vital Energy's strategic acquisitions and modernization efforts in low-cost areas position it for significant cash flow and cost advantages over competitors. Margin expansion as more valuable production mixes come online could persist well into the future. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Apr 04
Revenues Working Against Vital Energy, Inc.'s (NYSE:VTLE) Share Price Following 27% Dive
To the annoyance of some shareholders, Vital Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:VTLE ) shares are down a considerable 27% in the last...Seeking Alpha • Mar 15
Vital Energy: Projected To Generate Around $300 Million In Free Cash Flow At $67 WTI Oil
Summary Vital is projected to generate $301 million in free cash flow at $67 WTI oil. The company is helped by having 74% of its oil production hedged at an average of $74.75. Vital's 2025 oil production expectations were reduced by 2,000 barrels per day due to some drilling delays and underperforming wells. VTLE needs to demonstrate steady progress in reducing debt without making acquisitions that increase its debt again. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Feb 27
Vital Energy: Adjusted Free Cash Flow Points To A Better 2025
Summary Vital Energy showed significant adjusted free cash flow improvement in fiscal year 2024. Despite initial high operating costs from acquired properties, management's rework efforts are expected to yield better profitability and larger cash flow in fiscal year 2025. The debt ratio remains within an acceptable range. Therefore, the debt ratio is finally less of a concern than in the past. Further improvement is needed, however. Higher natural gas prices due to a colder winter should boost earnings and cash flow in the first quarter of the new fiscal year. New lower-cost wells will result in a lower cost average combined with higher value production. Oil percentage of production mix has been rising. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Feb 14
Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) Shares Could Be 45% Below Their Intrinsic Value Estimate
Key Insights Vital Energy's estimated fair value is US$61.28 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Vital Energy is...Seeking Alpha • Feb 10
Vital Energy: First Quarter Receives An Unexpected Boost
Summary Vital Energy is poised for a strong Q1 due to an expected severe cold snap. The company's strategic acquisitions in the Delaware Basin are set to enhance free cash flow. Despite some production risks from severe weather, the overall impact of the cold winter should aid debt repayment. Vital Energy will benefit from soaring natural gas prices because it has a lower percentage of production hedged than it does for oil production. Long-term, the increasing ability of North America to export natural gas is bullish for natural gas prices. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Jan 18
Vital Energy, Inc.'s (NYSE:VTLE) Shares Bounce 28% But Its Business Still Trails The Market
Vital Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:VTLE ) shareholders have had their patience rewarded with a 28% share price jump in the last...Seeking Alpha • Dec 20
Vital Energy: Here Comes 2025 While Updating 2024
Summary Vital Energy plans to shift capital towards the Delaware Basin. Optimization efforts from recent acquisitions are showing results. Increasing oil production above guidance will significantly enhance profitability. Future lease operating expenses may decrease as newer, low-cost wells replace older, more expensive ones. The overall effect of the steps taken is to increase company profitability throughout fiscal year 2025. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Dec 01
Improved Earnings Required Before Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) Stock's 26% Jump Looks Justified
Those holding Vital Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:VTLE ) shares would be relieved that the share price has rebounded 26% in the...Seeking Alpha • Nov 07
Vital Energy: Hedging Fueled Gains And Point Energy Outperformance
Summary Point Energy is outperforming expectations. The Delaware Basin gets "first call" on capital spending because of the superior profitability of the acreage. Point Energy's higher oil production percentage and cost reduction progress make it a priority for more development drilling. Management has a goal to repay $400 million of debt in the next fiscal year. That implies growth in EBITDA and free cash flow throughout the fiscal year. The increase in profitability at various pricing points should become apparent to shareholders in fiscal year 2025. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Oct 07
Is Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) A Risky Investment?
Warren Buffett famously said, 'Volatility is far from synonymous with risk.' So it might be obvious that you need to...Seeking Alpha • Sep 28
Vital Energy: Prospect Deal Details And Operational Improvements
Summary Vital Energy secured a favorable deal in acquiring Point Energy Acreage. The net revenue using a 10% discount rate indicates an impressive discount for the sales price paid. The purchase price is approximately four times the annualized 2023 cash flow, suggesting a bargain price-to-EBITDA ratio (as management advocated). All the nonrecurring items that recur with each acquisition confuse Mr. Market and lead to stock price doldrums until the process completes. The company has far lower costs for new wells than the previous operators. That should begin to show through in the fourth quarter. Read the full article on Seeking Alpha
New Narrative • Sep 14
Innovative Strategies And Acquisitions Set To Boost Earnings And Confidence In The Oil Sector
Enhancing capital efficiency and earnings through strategic acquisitions and low breakeven inventory management.Analysis Article • Sep 10
Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) Might Not Be As Mispriced As It Looks After Plunging 27%
Unfortunately for some shareholders, the Vital Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:VTLE ) share price has dived 27% in the last thirty...Analysis Article • Aug 15
Vital Energy's (NYSE:VTLE) Anemic Earnings Might Be Worse Than You Think
A lackluster earnings announcement from Vital Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:VTLE ) last week didn't sink the stock price. We...Seeking Alpha • Jul 30
Vital Energy: First Howard County, Now Delaware Basin
Summary Vital Energy is increasing its Delaware Basin presence with the latest acquisition, just like it built a position in Howard County a few years ago. Recent acquisitions using all-stock helped deleverage the balance sheet and position the company for further acquisitions using cash. The solid cost progress of previous acquisitions may be driving management to acquire more acreage in the Delaware Basin. Leverage is expected to decline from 1.5 at closing to 1.3 within about 12 months. Post-closing, the Delaware Basin position will exceed 84,000 acres and represent one-third of the company's oil production. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jul 17
Vital Energy: Bringing Costs Down
Summary Vital Energy acquired smaller acreage with high costs in order to improve results through lower costs going forward. Management's focus on reducing breakeven prices for new wells has shown promising results, with potential for further improvement over time. Acquisitions in Delaware Basin and Upton County appear to compete well with Howard County acreage for capital dollars. Western Glasscock County acreage lags somewhat behind other acquisitions. But a recovery of natural gas prices could change that. The success of the acquisition strategy so far has enabled the company to raise the bar for future acquisitions. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jun 24
Vital Energy: Going West For More Oil
Summary Vital Energy began to transform after previous management was "shown the door" due to a letter to the board from Sailingstone. Current management has steadily improved finances, resulting in reduced interest rates paid for debt over time. Acquisitions were made to improve cash flow, with stock deals transforming the company's financial situation significantly. Legacy acreage production is no longer very significant, and that acreage does not compete for capital dollars. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaSeeking Alpha • Jun 11
Vital Energy: Strong Production Performance, But Dealing With Elevated Operating Costs
Summary Vital Energy's Q1 2024 production ended up around 4% higher than its guidance midpoint. This continues a trend of new well outperformance, and it is likely to do better than its guidance midpoint for the full year. VTLE's lease operating expenses per BOE ended up 11% higher than expected in Q1 2024, though. This involved inefficiencies that it has identified with part of its acquired Delaware Basin assets, and it is looking to reduce LOE by 9% in 2H 2024. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaAnalysis Article • Jun 04
Are Investors Undervaluing Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE:VTLE) By 39%?
Key Insights Vital Energy's estimated fair value is US$75.55 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Vital Energy's...Seeking Alpha • May 20
Vital Energy: Trying To Change Its Stripes
Summary Vital Energy, Inc., formerly known as Laredo Petroleum, has rebranded to distance itself from its near-bankruptcy history. The company owns 265,000 net acres in the Permian Basin and has been acquiring and divesting assets, leading to mixed performance. Vital Energy's focus on drilling in Howard County has yielded better results, but the inventory is starting to dwindle, and future well productivity may decline. Read the full article on Seeking AlphaShareholder Returns
| VTLE | US Oil and Gas | US Market | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7D | -4.6% | -5.1% | 2.1% |
| 1Y | -39.2% | 29.2% | 30.6% |
Return vs Industry: VTLE underperformed the US Oil and Gas industry which returned 1.7% over the past year.
Return vs Market: VTLE underperformed the US Market which returned 11.4% over the past year.
Price Volatility
| VTLE volatility | |
|---|---|
| VTLE Average Weekly Movement | 8.2% |
| Oil and Gas Industry Average Movement | 6.0% |
| Market Average Movement | 7.2% |
| 10% most volatile stocks in US Market | 16.1% |
| 10% least volatile stocks in US Market | 3.2% |
Stable Share Price: VTLE has not had significant price volatility in the past 3 months compared to the US market.
Volatility Over Time: VTLE's weekly volatility (8%) has been stable over the past year.
About the Company
| Founded | Employees | CEO | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 405 | Mikell Pigott | vitalenergy.com |
Vital Energy, Inc., an independent energy company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas, United States. The company was formerly known as Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and changed its name to Vital Energy, Inc. in January 2023. The company was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Vital Energy, Inc. Fundamentals Summary
| VTLE fundamental statistics | |
|---|---|
| Market cap | US$657.22m |
| Earnings (TTM) | -US$1.31b |
| Revenue (TTM) | US$1.90b |
0.3x
P/S Ratio-0.5x
P/E RatioIs VTLE overvalued?
See Fair Value and valuation analysisEarnings & Revenue
| VTLE income statement (TTM) | |
|---|---|
| Revenue | US$1.90b |
| Cost of Revenue | US$629.78m |
| Gross Profit | US$1.27b |
| Other Expenses | US$2.58b |
| Earnings | -US$1.31b |
Last Reported Earnings
Sep 30, 2025
Next Earnings Date
n/a
| Earnings per share (EPS) | -35.84 |
| Gross Margin | 66.80% |
| Net Profit Margin | -69.28% |
| Debt/Equity Ratio | 130.0% |
How did VTLE perform over the long term?
See historical performance and comparisonCompany Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2025/12/16 19:55 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2025/12/12 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2025/09/30 |
| Annual Earnings | 2024/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
| |
| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
| |
| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
Details of the analysis model used to generate this report is available on our Github page, we also have guides on how to use our reports and tutorials on Youtube.
Learn about the world class team who designed and built the Simply Wall St analysis model.
Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Vital Energy, Inc. is covered by 22 analysts. 4 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| Joseph Allman | Baird |
| Jeffrey Robertson | Barclays |
| Ipsit Mohanty | Canaccord Genuity |