Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE – Get Free Report) and Hallador Energy (NASDAQ:HNRG – Get Free Report) are both small-cap energy companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, analyst recommendations, profitability and valuation.
Profitability
This table compares Vital Energy and Hallador Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Vital Energy | -38.52% | 11.86% | 5.45% |
| Hallador Energy | -46.61% | 11.58% | 4.43% |
Institutional & Insider Ownership
86.5% of Vital Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.4% of Hallador Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.5% of Vital Energy shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 23.7% of Hallador Energy shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Ratings
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Vital Energy | 4 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1.92 |
| Hallador Energy | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3.00 |
Vital Energy currently has a consensus price target of $27.80, indicating a potential upside of 71.25%. Hallador Energy has a consensus price target of $19.00, indicating a potential upside of 1.55%. Given Vital Energy’s higher probable upside, research analysts plainly believe Vital Energy is more favorable than Hallador Energy.
Risk and Volatility
Vital Energy has a beta of 1.46, meaning that its stock price is 46% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Hallador Energy has a beta of 0.39, meaning that its stock price is 61% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Vital Energy and Hallador Energy”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Vital Energy | $1.94 billion | 0.32 | -$173.52 million | ($19.79) | -0.82 |
| Hallador Energy | $404.39 million | 1.99 | -$226.14 million | ($4.99) | -3.75 |
Vital Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Hallador Energy. Hallador Energy is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Vital Energy, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Summary
Vital Energy beats Hallador Energy on 9 of the 15 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 Hallador Energy
Hallador Energy Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the production of steam coal in the State of Indiana for the electric power generation industry. The company owns the Oaktown Mine 1 and Oaktown Mine 2 underground mines in Oaktown; Freelandville Center Pit surface mine in Freelandville; and Prosperity Surface mine in Petersburg, Indiana. It is also involved in gas exploration activities in Indiana; and operation of logistics transport facility. Hallador Energy Company was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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