UBS: Viper Energy Could Strike Next Year
Viper Energy Partners LP (NASDAQ: VNOM) reported better than expected earnings on October 24, with earnings per share of 24 cents versus consensus of 22 cents.
The Analyst
UBS' Shneur Gershuni upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy and increased the price target from $19 to $27.
The Thesis
The analyst expects higher crude oil prices in 2018 and 2019 and an increase in Viper Energy Partners LP's oil and gas production. Gershuni increased his distribution growth expectations and now expects a 2017-21 DPU CAGR of 17 percent. (See Gershuni's track record here.)
Viper Energy has a dividend yield of 6.2 percent, in line with peers, and above-average expected distribution growth, the analyst said. The company should be trading with a premium to its peers due to its position in the Permian basin and high growth profile, said Gershuni.
Viper Energy Partners LP is projected to grow through drop-downs from Diamondback Energy Inc (NASDAQ: FANG) and through third-party acquisitions, the analyst said.
The Price Action
Viper Energy Partners LP spiked almost 3 percent Tuesday. It's gained almost 50 percent since July, when it bottomed at $14.76.
Latest Ratings for VNOM
Dec 2017 | UBS | Upgrades | Neutral | Buy |
Nov 2017 | SunTrust Robinson Humphrey | Initiates Coverage On | Buy | |
Oct 2017 | Citigroup | Maintains | Buy |
View More Analyst Ratings for VNOM
View the Latest Analyst Ratings
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