SM Energy (NYSE:SM) Shares Purchased by Vest Financial LLC

Vest Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of SM Energy (NYSE:SM - Free Report) by 84.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 66,069 shares of the energy company's stock after buying an additional 30,343 shares during the period. Vest Financial LLC owned 0.06% of SM Energy worth $2,561,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of SM. State Street Corp boosted its stake in SM Energy by 1.9% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,287,815 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $251,324,000 after acquiring an additional 114,664 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of SM Energy by 2,515.6% in the 3rd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,463,443 shares of the energy company's stock worth $178,404,000 after purchasing an additional 4,292,793 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in SM Energy by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,693,372 shares of the energy company's stock worth $107,675,000 after buying an additional 29,911 shares during the last quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC increased its position in SM Energy by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 1,792,573 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $71,649,000 after buying an additional 12,669 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in SM Energy by 1.8% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,223,038 shares of the energy company's stock valued at $48,885,000 after buying an additional 22,152 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 94.56% of the company's stock.

SM Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:SM traded up $1.18 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $40.59. The company had a trading volume of 1,631,264 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,429,598. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 3.52 and a quick ratio of 3.52. SM Energy has a 1-year low of $36.13 and a 1-year high of $53.26. The business's 50 day moving average price is $40.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $42.09. The firm has a market cap of $4.64 billion, a PE ratio of 5.67 and a beta of 4.11.

SM Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, February 3rd. Investors of record on Friday, January 24th were issued a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.97%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, January 24th. SM Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 11.17%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on SM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "neutral" rating and set a $53.00 price objective (up previously from $51.00) on shares of SM Energy in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of SM Energy from $42.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on shares of SM Energy from $48.00 to $46.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. TD Cowen upgraded SM Energy from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and reduced their price objective for the stock from $64.00 to $60.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price on SM Energy from $57.00 to $55.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 16th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $51.90.

About SM Energy

SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St.