Comparing CNX Resources (NYSE:CNX) and Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE)

Vital Energy (NYSE:VTLE) and CNX Resources (NYSE:CNX) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends and valuation.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Vital Energy and CNX Resources”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Vital Energy	$1.84 billion	0.53	$695.08 million	$24.13	1.09
CNX Resources	$1.38 billion	3.79	$1.72 billion	$5.52	6.17

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

Profitability

This table compares Vital Energy and CNX Resources’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Vital Energy	13.97%	11.58%	5.76%
CNX Resources	26.64%	7.51%	3.69%

Volatility & Risk

Vital Energy has a beta of 3.16, suggesting that its stock price is 216% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, CNX Resources has a beta of 1.38, suggesting that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Vital Energy and CNX Resources, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Vital Energy	3	5	4	0	2.08
CNX Resources	4	7	1	0	1.75

Vital Energy presently has a consensus price target of $47.83, suggesting a potential upside of 81.60%. CNX Resources has a consensus price target of $27.10, suggesting a potential downside of 20.48%. Given Vital Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Vital Energy is more favorable than CNX Resources.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

86.5% of Vital Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.2% of CNX Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of Vital Energy shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 3.1% of CNX Resources shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Vital Energy beats CNX Resources on 8 of the 14 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 CNX Resources

CNX Resources Corporation, an independent natural gas and midstream company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin. The company operates in two segments, Shale and Coalbed Methane (CBM). It produces and sells pipeline quality natural gas primarily for gas wholesalers. The company owns rights to extract natural gas from shale properties in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, as well as rights to extract natural gas from other shale and shallow oil and gas formations in Illinois, Indiana, New York, and Virginia. It also owns rights to extract CBM in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and New Mexico. In addition, the company designs, builds, and operates natural gas gathering systems to move gas from the wellhead to interstate pipelines or other local sales points; owns and operates approximately 2,600 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines, as well as various natural gas processing facilities. It also offers turn-key solutions for water sourcing, delivery, and disposal for its natural gas operations and for third parties. The company was formerly known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and changed its name to CNX Resources Corporation in November 2017. CNX Resources Corporation was founded in 1860 and is headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.