Head-To-Head Comparison: Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST) and BW LPG (NYSE:BWLP)

BW LPG (NYSE:BWLP) and Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST) are both mid-cap energy companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, dividends, analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, institutional ownership and earnings.

Volatility and Risk

BW LPG has a beta of 0.99, suggesting that its share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Vista Energy has a beta of 0.63, suggesting that its share price is 37% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares BW LPG and Vista Energy”s top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
BW LPG	$3.58 billion	1.06	$242.31 million	$2.94	8.50
Vista Energy	$2.47 billion	2.76	$719.06 million	$7.58	8.63

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

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for BW LPG and Vista Energy, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
BW LPG	0	1	4	0	2.80
Vista Energy	1	0	5	0	2.67

Vista Energy has a consensus target price of $83.44, suggesting a potential upside of 27.50%. Given Vista Energy’s higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Vista Energy is more favorable than BW LPG.

Profitability

This table compares BW LPG and Vista Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
BW LPG	12.64%	22.48%	13.50%
Vista Energy	23.56%	20.26%	7.25%

Insider and Institutional Ownership

63.8% of Vista Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Vista Energy beats BW LPG on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

About BW LPG

BW LPG Limited, an investment holding company, engages in ship owning and chartering activities worldwide. The company operates through Shipping and Product Services segments. The company involved in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas to oil companies, and trading and utility companies. It also offers integrated liquified petroleum gas (LPG) delivery services and support; wholesale and trade of LPG; and management services. It owns and operates LPG vessels and a fleet of very large gas carriers. The company was formerly known as BW Gas LPG Holding Limited and changed its name to BW LPG Limited in September 2013. BW LPG Limited was founded in 1935 and is headquartered in Singapore.

About Vista Energy

Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas in Latin America. The company's principal assets located in Neuquina basin, Argentina and Vaca Muerta. It owns producing assets in Argentina and Mexico. In addition, the company involved in drilling and workover activities located in Argentina. The company was formerly known as Vista Oil & Gas, S.A.B. de C.V. and changed its name to Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. in April 2022. Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Mexico City, Mexico.