Viper Energy (NASDAQ:VNOM) Shares Down 4.2% – Time to Sell?

Viper Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ:VNOM)’s share price fell 4.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $43.15 and last traded at $43.02. 113,032 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 91% from the average session volume of 1,221,640 shares. The stock had previously closed at $44.90.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on VNOM shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Viper Energy from $43.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. KeyCorp raised shares of Viper Energy from a “sector weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and set a $62.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, December 13th. StockNews.com upgraded Viper Energy from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Bank of America began coverage on Viper Energy in a research note on Tuesday, November 26th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $64.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Viper Energy in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. They set a “buy” rating and a $70.00 target price for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $59.55.

Viper Energy Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 7.24 and a quick ratio of 7.24. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $48.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $49.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.24 and a beta of 1.71.

Viper Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.65 per share. This is a positive change from Viper Energy’s previous dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 6th. Viper Energy’s payout ratio is currently 32.70%.

Institutional Trading of Viper Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of VNOM. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Viper Energy during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Farther Finance Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Viper Energy by 328.5% in the 3rd quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 587 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 450 shares in the last quarter. Quarry LP purchased a new stake in shares of Viper Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $32,000. Assetmark Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Viper Energy by 321.7% in the fourth quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 679 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 518 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Viper Energy by 43.9% during the fourth quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 701 shares of the oil and gas producer’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 214 shares in the last quarter. 87.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Viper Energy Company Profile

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.