Head-To-Head Analysis: Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST)

Vista Energy (NYSE:VIST) and Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) are both energy companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, institutional ownership, dividends, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares Vista Energy and Exxon Mobil”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Vista Energy	$1.65 billion	3.09	$477.52 million	$6.80	7.18
Exxon Mobil	$324.92 billion	1.55	$33.68 billion	$6.88	17.33

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

Profitability

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

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Vista Energy	32.66%	15.92%	5.77%
Exxon Mobil	9.17%	11.34%	6.79%

Volatility & Risk

Vista Energy has a beta of 0.95, suggesting that its share price is 5% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Exxon Mobil has a beta of 0.49, suggesting that its share price is 51% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for Vista Energy and Exxon Mobil, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Vista Energy	0	2	3	2	3.00
Exxon Mobil	0	10	8	2	2.60

Vista Energy presently has a consensus target price of $64.10, suggesting a potential upside of 31.37%. Exxon Mobil has a consensus target price of $128.67, suggesting a potential upside of 7.93%. Given Vista Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Vista Energy is more favorable than Exxon Mobil.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

63.8% of Vista Energy shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 61.8% of Exxon Mobil shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Exxon Mobil shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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.

About Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas. The Energy Products segment offers fuels, aromatics, catalysts, and licensing services. It sells its products under the Exxon, Esso, and Mobil brands. The Chemical Products segment manufactures and markets petrochemicals, including olefins, polyolefins, and intermediates. The Specialty Products segment offers performance products, including lubricants, basestocks, waxes, synthetics, elastomers, and resins. The company is also involved in the manufacturing, trade, transport, and selling crude oil, natural gas, petroleum products, petrochemicals, and other specialty products in pursuit of lower-emission business opportunities, including carbon capture and storage, hydrogen, lower-emission fuels, and lithium. Exxon Mobil Corporation was founded in 1870 and is based in Spring, Texas.