As of Friday close, Vertex Energy Inc.’s (NASDAQ:VTNR) stock was down -$0.38, moving down -7.54 percent to $4.66. The average number of shares traded per day over the past five days has been 1,803,960 shares. 2 times new highs have been achieved over the past 5 days, with a -$0.49 fall in that time frame. In the last twenty days, the average volume was 2,097,800, while in the previous 50 days, it was 2,448,698.
Since last month, VTNR stock rose 14.22%. Shares of the company fell to $3.91 on 08/23/23, the lowest level in the past month. A 52-week high of $11.20 was reached on 03/06/23 after having rallying from a 52-week low of $3.91. Since the beginning of this year, VTNR’s stock price has dropped by -24.84% or -$1.54, and marked a new high 17 times. However, the stock has declined by -58.39% since its 52-week high.
VTNR stock investors should be aware that Vertex Energy Inc. (VTNR) stock had its last reported insider trading activity 134 days ago on May 12. Rhame James Gary, the Chief Operating Officer of the company, purchased of 4,000 shares for $6.33 on May 12. It resulted in a $25,310 investment by the insider. Cowart Benjamin P sold 66,666 shares at an average price of $8.00 on Apr 19. The insider now owns 5,450,608 shares following the transaction. On Apr 11, CEO and President Cowart Benjamin P sold 66,667 shares at $8.29 apiece. The transaction was valued at $552,669.
Valuation Metrics
The stock’s beta is 1.99. Besides these, the trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 0.14, the price-to-book (PB) ratio of 1.55.
Financial Health
In the three months ended June 29, Vertex Energy Inc.’s quick ratio stood at 0.50, while its current ratio was 1.10, showing that the company is not able to pay off its debt. According to company report, the long-term debt-to-equity ratio for the quarter ending June 29 was 0.80, and the total debt-to-equity ratio was 0.89. On the profitability front, the trailing twelve-month gross margin is 6.90% percent. In the year ended June 29, EBITDA margin amounted to 5.50%, whereas operating margins totaled 1.70%. Based on annual data, VTNR earned $180.01 million in gross profit and brought in $2.79 billion in revenue.
A company’s management is another factor that investors consider when determining the profitability of an investment. In the past year, return on investment (ROI) was 14.10%. Return on equity (ROE) for the past 12 months was 21.20%.
In Vertex Energy Inc.’s quarter-end financial report for June 29, it reported total debt of $123.65 million. According to the earnings report, the company had a higher net income in the recent quarter than it did in the previous quarter. VTNR’s revenue fell -36.31% to $686.81 million during the quarter, while net income inched up to $727.61 million. While analysts expected Vertex Energy Inc. to report -$0.28 quarterly earnings, the actual figure was -$1.03 per share, beating the consensus estimate by -267.90%. During the quarter, the company generated $28.98 million in EBITDA. The liabilities of Vertex Energy Inc. were 613.71 million at the end of its most recent quarter ended June 29, and its total debt was $466.11 million. The value of shareholders’ equity is $93.29 million.
Technical Picture
This quick technical analysis looks at Vertex Energy Inc.’s (VTNR) price momentum. With a historical volatility rate of 53.92%, the RSI 9-day stood at 40.49% on 22 September.
With respect to its five-day moving average, the current Vertex Energy Inc. price is down by -9.51% percent or -$0.49. At present, VTNR shares trade +17.97% above its 20-day simple moving average and -40.18% percent below its 100-day simple moving average. However, the stock is currently trading approximately -28.53% below its SMA50 and -33.90% below its SMA200.
Stochastic coefficient K was 51.07% and Stochastic coefficient D was 63.39%, while ATR was 0.29. Given the Stochastic reading of 18.68% for the 14-day period, the RSI (14) reading has been calculated as 44.50%. As of today, the MACD Oscillator reading stands at -0.18, while the 14-day reading stands at -0.08.
Analyst Ratings
Vertex Energy Inc. downgraded its rating on Vertex Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: VTNR) to a Perform in a note to investors on July 26, 2023. The analysts firm previously had an Outperform rating on the stock.Vertex Energy Inc. (VTNR) has been rated Overweight by analysts. According to 0 brokerage firms, VTNR is a sell, and 3 firms recommend it is a Hold. There are 0 analysts who say the stock is underweight. A total of 0 analysts rate Vertex Energy Inc. stock as buy, with 4 recommending it as overweight.
With a median target price of $8.00, the current consensus forecast for the stock is $6.00 – $10.00. Based on these forecasts, analysts predict Vertex Energy Inc. (VTNR) will achieve an average price target of $7.92.
