Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM) Downgraded to "Sell" Rating by StockNews.com

StockNews.com lowered shares of Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM - Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report issued on Monday.

Other analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Bank of America assumed coverage on Viper Energy in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. Roth Mkm boosted their price target on Viper Energy from $46.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Viper Energy from $43.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Viper Energy from $78.00 to $68.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday. Finally, Raymond James upped their price target on Viper Energy from $58.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $59.55.

Viper Energy Stock Performance

NASDAQ:VNOM traded down $0.33 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $49.38. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,063,178 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,961,347. The stock has a market cap of $9.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.19 and a beta of 1.71. The business's fifty day moving average is $49.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $48.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 7.24 and a quick ratio of 7.24. Viper Energy has a 1 year low of $31.51 and a 1 year high of $56.76.

Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The oil and gas producer reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.47 by $0.02. Viper Energy had a net margin of 24.65% and a return on equity of 6.72%. The business had revenue of $209.59 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $210.54 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.10 EPS. The business's revenue was down 28.5% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Viper Energy will post 2.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Viper Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 6th will be issued a $0.65 dividend. This is a boost from Viper Energy's previous dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 6th. Viper Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 51.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Viper Energy

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in VNOM. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Viper Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Viper Energy by 328.5% during the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 587 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 450 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Viper Energy by 208.1% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 681 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 460 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. grew its position in Viper Energy by 321.7% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 679 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 518 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. increased its stake in Viper Energy by 43.9% in the 4th quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 701 shares of the oil and gas producer's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 214 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.72% of the company's stock.

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.