Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM – Get Free Report) and Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST – Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, institutional ownership and profitability.
Volatility and Risk
Viper Energy has a beta of 0.5, indicating that its share price is 50% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vista Energy has a beta of 0.68, indicating that its share price is 32% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability
This table compares Viper Energy and Vista Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Viper Energy | 2.89% | 3.43% | 2.85% |
| Vista Energy | 23.56% | 20.26% | 7.25% |
Analyst Recommendations
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Viper Energy | 0 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 3.00 |
| Vista Energy | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 2.83 |
Viper Energy presently has a consensus price target of $56.53, suggesting a potential upside of 30.35%. Vista Energy has a consensus price target of $83.44, suggesting a potential upside of 20.08%. Given Viper Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Viper Energy is more favorable than Vista Energy.
Earnings and Valuation
This table compares Viper Energy and Vista Energy”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Viper Energy | $2.04 billion | 7.65 | -$68.00 million | $0.13 | 333.62 |
| Vista Energy | $2.47 billion | 2.93 | $719.06 million | $7.58 | 9.17 |
Vista Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Viper Energy. Vista Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Viper Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Insider and Institutional Ownership
87.7% of Viper Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 63.8% of Vista Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Viper Energy shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Summary
Viper Energy beats Vista Energy on 8 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Viper Energy
Viper Energy, Inc. engages in the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. It owns, acquires, and exploits oil and natural gas properties in North America. The company was founded on February 27, 2014 and is headquartered in Midland, TX.
About Vista Energy
Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas in Latin America. The company's principal assets located in Neuquina basin, Argentina and Vaca Muerta. It owns producing assets in Argentina and Mexico. In addition, the company involved in drilling and workover activities located in Argentina. The company was formerly known as Vista Oil & Gas, S.A.B. de C.V. and changed its name to Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. in April 2022. Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Mexico City, Mexico.
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