Core Viewpoint - Vital Energy, Inc. is set to report its second-quarter 2025 financial and operating results on August 6, 2025, after market close, with a conference call scheduled for August 7, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. CT to discuss the results [1]. Company Overview - Vital Energy, Inc. is an independent energy company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, focusing on the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin of West Texas [2].

Group 1 - Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE: VTLE) is projected to generate approximately $267 million in free cash flow for 2025 at current strip prices, which is only slightly lower than previous projections [1] - The analysis is conducted by Aaron Chow, a seasoned analyst with over 15 years of experience, who has a focus on value opportunities and distressed plays, particularly in the energy sector [1] - The investing group Distressed Value Investing, led by Aaron Chow, emphasizes research on various companies and investment opportunities, with a significant focus on the energy industry [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the analysis of oil and gas companies, specifically highlighting Vital Energy and its recent quarterly report which shows the benefits of acquisitions becoming apparent to investors [2] - The industry is characterized as a boom-bust, cyclical sector, requiring patience and experience for successful investment [2] - The analysis includes a breakdown of companies' balance sheets, competitive positions, and development prospects, aimed at identifying undervalued opportunities in the oil and gas space [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes that the benefits of acquisitions for Vital Energy are starting to be recognized by investors, indicating a positive trend in the company's performance [2] - The author has a beneficial long position in Vital Energy shares, suggesting confidence in the company's future prospects [3] - The article serves as an example of the detailed analysis provided to members of the Oil & Gas Value Research service, which includes insights not available on the free site [1]

Group 1 - Vista Energy (NYSE: VIST) is granted a Buy rating due to its strong financial position [1] - The company has a gross profit margin of 80.18% and an EBITDA margin of 62.08% [1] - Vista Energy has allocated significant financial resources for growth and development [1] Group 2 - Daniel Mellado, an economist with a Master's Degree in Statistics, has experience in analyzing agricultural commodities and managing trading teams [1] - His expertise includes developing strategies for algorithmic trading and analyzing financial statements, regulations, and macroeconomic variables [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reduced net debt by $135 million, supported by higher than expected adjusted free cash flow and a non-core asset sale generating $20.5 million [6][10] - Lease operating expenses (LOE) decreased from $121 million in Q4 2024 to an anticipated $115 million per quarter for the remainder of 2025 [8] - General and administrative (G&A) expenses are projected to be below $22 million per quarter for 2025, down from slightly over $23 million in Q4 2024 [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter production volumes were driven by 23 turn-in-line wells, with 21 located in the Southern Delaware [6] - The company achieved a 30% year-over-year improvement in capital efficiency in the Delaware Basin [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company hedged 90% of its oil at $70.61 per barrel WTI for the remainder of the year, ensuring returns and reducing risk [13] - The company anticipates generating approximately $265 million in adjusted free cash flow for 2025 [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company shifted focus from acquisitions to optimizing its asset base, successfully reducing costs and enhancing efficiencies [7][9] - Capital allocation is prioritized towards low breakeven packages, with a focus on maximizing cash flow and debt repayment [10][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the full year outlook due to high returns expected from upcoming completions and recent cost reductions [9][11] - The company is prepared to adjust activity levels in response to market conditions, with no long-term rig or completion contracts extending beyond early 2026 [14][15] Other Important Information - The company has implemented advanced drilling techniques, such as simulfrac, to improve efficiency and reduce breakeven costs [12][14] - A non-cash impairment was noted, with expectations of a couple hundred million dollars in the next quarter if oil prices remain stable [40][41] Q&A Session Summary Question: Maintenance capital outlook with recent efficiencies - Management plans to maintain flat production year-over-year and aims to remain free cash flow positive, with potential savings of nearly $90 million from reduced service costs [21][22] Question: Cost initiatives and LOE self-help - LOE is expected to be in the range of $110 million to $115 million per quarter for 2025, driven by reduced failure rates and lower workover costs [23][25] Question: Hedging strategy for future years - The company plans to continue layering on hedges as market conditions allow, aiming to lock in free cash flow generation and debt reduction [30][31] Question: Production trajectory and CapEx for 2026 - The 2026 program is estimated to be flat year-over-year for both volume and capital, with flexibility to adapt based on market conditions [33][34] Question: Potential for future pricing weakness and rig upgrades - Management sees opportunities to capture cost efficiencies and improve performance as contracts cycle through [38][39] Question: Non-cash impairments and inventory impact - Non-cash impairments are expected to continue if oil prices remain stable, but this does not affect the underlying reserves [40][41] Question: Breakeven analysis and asset sales - Corporate breakeven is projected to decrease to around $53 per barrel, with ongoing evaluations for additional asset sales [44][48]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reduced net debt by $135 million, supported by higher than expected adjusted free cash flow and a non-core asset sale that generated $20.5 million [6][12] - Lease operating expenses (LOE) were reduced from $121 million in Q4 2024 to an anticipated $115 million per quarter for the remainder of 2025, while general and administrative (G&A) expenses are projected to be below $22 million per quarter [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - First quarter production volumes were driven by 23 turn-in-line wells, with 21 located in the Southern Delaware, showcasing good well performance and early production from several development packages [6][9] - The company expects significant production ramp-up in the second half of the year, particularly in Q3, with low breakeven costs of about $45 per barrel WTI [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company hedged 90% of its oil at $70.61 per barrel WTI for the remainder of the year, which is expected to ensure returns and reduce risk [12] - The company anticipates generating approximately $265 million in adjusted free cash flow and reducing net debt by $300 million, including non-core asset sales [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company shifted focus from acquisitions to optimizing its asset base, successfully reducing costs and enhancing efficiencies [7][10] - The strategy includes prioritizing capital allocation to the lowest breakeven packages and leveraging high-quality wells to maximize cash flow and debt repayment [9][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the full-year outlook, citing high returns from upcoming packages and recent cost reductions [8][10] - The company is prepared to adjust activity levels in response to market conditions, with no rig or completion contracts extending beyond early 2026 [13][14] Other Important Information - The company has seen little impact from tariff-related price increases, which have been offset by price concessions in a softening services environment [10] - The company is conducting a full review of its cost structure to continue reducing costs and enhancing margins [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Maintenance capital outlook with recent efficiencies - Management plans to maintain flat production year over year and aims to remain free cash flow positive, with potential savings of nearly $90 million from reduced service costs [21][22] Question: Cost initiatives and LOE self-help - LOE is expected to be in the range of $110 million to $115 million per quarter for 2025, driven by reduced failure rates and fixed operating costs [23][26] Question: Hedging strategy for future years - The company raised hedges for the rest of the year to lock in free cash flow generation and will continue to monitor the environment for future hedging [30][31] Question: Production and CapEx trajectory into 2026 - The 2026 program is estimated to be flat year over year for both volume and capital, with flexibility to adapt based on market conditions [32][34] Question: Non-cash impairments and inventory impact - Non-cash impairments are expected to continue if oil prices remain stable, with a projected impairment of a couple hundred million dollars next quarter [39][40] Question: Breakeven analysis and asset sales opportunities - The corporate breakeven is projected to be around $53 per barrel, with potential for further reductions through cost efficiencies [43][44] - The company is continuously looking for opportunities for additional asset sales, although the current price environment may make this challenging [46][47]

Core Insights - Vital Energy reported revenue of $512.18 million for the quarter ended March 2025, reflecting a 6.2% increase year-over-year, but fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $532.28 million by 3.78% [1] - The company's EPS was $2.37, up from $1.91 in the same quarter last year, exceeding the consensus EPS estimate of $2.11 by 12.32% [1] Financial Performance - Average daily oil equivalent sales volumes were 140,159 BOE/D, slightly above the five-analyst average estimate of 139,265.1 BOE/D [4] - Average sales prices per Bbl for NGL were $17.72, slightly below the three-analyst average estimate of $17.83 [4] - Natural gas sales volumes reached 19,742 MMcf, marginally exceeding the average estimate of 19,717.95 MMcf [4] - NGL sales volumes were 3,484 MBBL, surpassing the average estimate of 3,426.85 MBBL [4] - Oil sales volumes were 5,840 MBBL, slightly below the average estimate of 5,854.69 MBBL [4] Revenue Breakdown - Revenues from natural gas were $27.34 million, below the estimated $31.48 million, but represented a significant year-over-year increase of 49.8% [4] - Revenues from NGL were $61.74 million, exceeding the two-analyst average estimate of $59.52 million, with a year-over-year change of 31.2% [4] - Oil revenues were $422.33 million, slightly below the estimated $433.52 million, with a year-over-year increase of 1.6% [4] Stock Performance - Vital Energy's shares returned 17.2% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 3.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating potential performance in line with the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Viewpoint - Vital Energy reported quarterly earnings of $2.37 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.11 per share, and showing an increase from $1.91 per share a year ago, representing an earnings surprise of 12.32% [1][2] Financial Performance - The company posted revenues of $512.18 million for the quarter ended March 2025, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.78%, but increased from $482.34 million year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, Vital Energy has surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times and topped consensus revenue estimates only once [2] Stock Performance - Vital Energy shares have declined approximately 48.1% since the beginning of the year, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of 3.8% [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 3 (Hold), indicating expected performance in line with the market in the near future [6] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.94 on revenues of $492.86 million, and for the current fiscal year, it is $7.64 on revenues of $2.03 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for Vital Energy is mixed, and future changes in estimates will be closely monitored following the recent earnings report [6][7] Industry Context - The Alternative Energy - Other industry, to which Vital Energy belongs, is currently ranked in the bottom 40% of over 250 Zacks industries, which may impact stock performance [8] - Empirical research indicates a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions, suggesting that industry outlook can materially affect stock performance [5][8]

Financial Performance - Vital Energy reported Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $64 million in 1Q-25[9], exceeding guidance[9] - Consolidated EBITDAX for 1Q-25 was $360 million[9] - Cash Flows from Operating Activities reached $351 million in 1Q-25[13] Production and Costs - Total production in 1Q-25 was 1402 MBOE/d[9], surpassing the midpoint of guidance[10] - Oil production in 1Q-25 was 649 MBO/d[12], also above the midpoint of guidance[10] - Lease Operating Expense was $103 million in 1Q-25[12], below guidance[11] Capital Program and Debt Reduction - The company is targeting ~$300 million in debt repayment for FY-25[26] - Vital Energy anticipates ~$265 million of Adjusted Free Cash Flow at $70 WTI oil[20] - Vital Energy anticipates ~$240 million of Adjusted Free Cash Flow at current strip prices[20] - Vital Energy anticipates ~$50 million of Adjusted Free Cash Flow at $50 WTI oil[20] Hedging and Inventory - Approximately 90% of the company's expected remaining 2025 oil production is hedged at an average WTI price of ~$71 per barrel[62] - The company has ~925 inventory locations with an average WTI breakeven oil price of ~$53[34]

Financial Performance - The company reported a net loss of $18.8 million, or $(0.50) per diluted share, impacted by a non-cash pre-tax impairment loss of $158.2 million on oil and gas properties[4] - Adjusted Net Income was $89.5 million, or $2.37 per adjusted diluted share, with cash flows from operating activities amounting to $351.0 million[5] - Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2025, increased to $512.18 million, up from $482.34 million in the same period of 2024, representing a growth of 6.9%[38] - The company reported a net loss of $18.84 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of $66.13 million in the same quarter of 2024, indicating an improvement of 71.5%[38] - Net income (loss) for Q1 2025 was $(18,837,000), an improvement from $(66,131,000) in Q1 2024[48] - Adjusted Net Income for Q1 2025 was $89,514,000, up 31.5% from $68,081,000 in Q1 2024[48] - Consolidated EBITDAX for Q1 2025 reached $359,679,000, a 19.3% increase compared to $301,332,000 in Q1 2024[52] Production and Sales - The company produced an average of 140.2 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (MBOE/d) and 64.9 thousand barrels of oil per day (MBO/d), both within guidance[5] - Average daily oil equivalent sales volumes increased to 140,159 BOE/d, compared to 124,719 BOE/d in the previous year, reflecting a growth of 12.3%[38] - Oil sales reached $422.33 million, a slight increase from $415.78 million in the prior year, while NGL sales rose significantly to $61.74 million from $47.08 million, marking a 31% increase[38] - Second-quarter 2025 guidance estimates total production between 133.0 - 139.0 MBOE/d and oil production between 61.0 - 65.0 MBO/d[18] Expenses and Investments - General and Administrative expenses were reported at $22.7 million, or $1.80 per BOE, which was below guidance[10] - Total capital investments for the first quarter were $252.7 million, excluding non-budgeted acquisitions and leasehold expenditures[5] - Total capital investments for Q1 2025 were $252,671,000, compared to $217,900,000 in Q1 2024, reflecting a 15.9% increase[45] - The Company incurred impairment expenses of $158,241,000 in Q1 2025, compared to no impairment expenses in Q1 2024[52] - The Company’s interest expense for Q1 2025 was $50,380,000, an increase from $43,421,000 in Q1 2024[52] Debt and Cash Flow - The company reduced total and net debt by $145.0 million and $133.5 million, respectively, through free cash flow and asset sales[5] - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to $28.65 million from $40.18 million at the end of the previous year, a decline of 28.8%[36] - Net Debt as of March 31, 2025, was $2,306,929,000, down from $2,440,399,000 at the end of 2024[56] - Net Debt to Consolidated EBITDAX ratio is utilized for assessing the Company's leverage position and operational performance[57] - The Company reported cash flows from operating activities of $350,985,000 in Q1 2025, significantly higher than $158,590,000 in Q1 2024[54] Asset Management - The company closed the sale of non-core assets for $20.5 million, which included approximately 9,100 net acres and production of 1,300 BOE/d[7] - Total assets decreased to $5.71 billion from $5.88 billion, a reduction of 2.8%[36] - Long-term debt decreased to $2.31 billion from $2.45 billion, a decline of 5.8%[36] - The company reported an impairment expense of $158.24 million for the quarter, which was not present in the same period last year[38] Future Outlook - For full-year 2025, the company expects to generate approximately $265 million of Adjusted Free Cash Flow at current oil prices of ~$59 per barrel WTI[14] - Approximately 90% of expected oil production for the remainder of the year is hedged at an average price of $70.61 per barrel WTI[12]