Contrasting SandRidge Energy (NYSE:SD) & Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE)

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) and SandRidge Energy (NYSE:SD) are both small-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, profitability, risk and dividends.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

86.5% of Vital Energy shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.8% of SandRidge Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 1.2% of Vital Energy shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 1.2% of SandRidge Energy shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Volatility & Risk

Vital Energy has a beta of 3.12, indicating that its stock price is 212% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, SandRidge Energy has a beta of 2.06, indicating that its stock price is 106% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares Vital Energy and SandRidge Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Vital Energy	-8.89%	9.48%	4.68%
SandRidge Energy	39.25%	7.92%	6.34%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Vital Energy and SandRidge Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Vital Energy	2	6	2	0	2.00
SandRidge Energy	0	0	0	0	0.00

Vital Energy currently has a consensus target price of $45.70, suggesting a potential upside of 58.87%. Given Vital Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Vital Energy is more favorable than SandRidge Energy.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Vital Energy and SandRidge Energy”s revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Vital Energy	$1.95 billion	0.56	$695.08 million	($4.75)	-6.06
SandRidge Energy	$148.64 million	3.06	$60.86 million	$1.28	9.54

Vital Energy has higher revenue and earnings than SandRidge Energy. Vital Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than SandRidge Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Vital Energy beats SandRidge Energy on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Vital Energy

Vital Energy, Inc., an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas, the United States. The company was formerly known as Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and changed its name to Vital Energy, Inc. in January 2023. Vital Energy, Inc. was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

About SandRidge Energy

SandRidge Energy, Inc. engages in the acquisition, development, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States Mid-Continent. The company was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.