Gold prices steady, holding sharp gains in wake of soft U.S. jobs data
On Wednesday, UBS analysts reiterated their Buy rating for Diamondback (NASDAQ:FANG) Energy stock, maintaining a price target of $163.00. Currently trading at $143.03, the stock shows potential upside according to InvestingPro analysis, which indicates the company maintains a GOOD financial health score and has demonstrated strong returns over the past five years. This decision follows the announcement of an all-stock acquisition by Viper Energy Partners (NASDAQ:VNOM), which is set to acquire Sitio Royalties.
The analysts view this transaction as beneficial for Diamondback Energy, as it is expected to enhance Viper Energy Partners’ cash available for distributions by 8-10%. Additionally, the deal is projected to reduce VNOM’s breakeven costs by approximately $2 per barrel, bringing it below $20 WTI.
VNOM has also forecasted an increase in production for the fiscal year 2026, expecting mid-single-digit growth even if commodity prices and activity levels remain stable. This outlook includes insights from Diamondback Energy’s development plans, which offer further production visibility.
The acquisition and its potential benefits align with UBS’s positive outlook for Diamondback Energy, as the analysts continue to see value in the company’s strategic initiatives and partnerships.
In other recent news, Sitio Royalties Corp (NYSE:STR) announced its acquisition by Viper Energy, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, in an all-equity deal valued at approximately $4.1 billion. The acquisition, which includes Sitio’s net debt, has been approved by both companies’ boards and is expected to finalize in the third quarter of 2025. This strategic move will expand Viper’s holdings in the Permian Basin, adding 25,300 net royalty acres to its portfolio. Meanwhile, Diamondback Energy reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025, surpassing expectations with an earnings per share of $4.83 and revenue of $4.05 billion. The company plans to focus on debt reduction and share buybacks, despite challenging market conditions.
Additionally, Diamondback Energy has undergone executive changes, with Travis D. Stice transitioning to Executive Chairman and Kaes Van’t Hof taking over as CEO. In analyst updates, JPMorgan revised its price targets for both Viper Energy and Diamondback Energy, reducing them to $47 and $161, respectively, while maintaining an Overweight rating for Viper and an Underweight rating for Diamondback. These developments reflect the companies’ ongoing strategic adjustments and market responses.
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