Head to Head Contrast: SM Energy (NYSE:SM) and Viking Energy Group (OTCMKTS:VKIN)
by Kim Johansen · The Markets DailyViking Energy Group (OTCMKTS:VKIN – Get Free Report) and SM Energy (NYSE:SM – Get Free Report) are both energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations and dividends.
Profitability
This table compares Viking Energy Group and SM Energy’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| Viking Energy Group | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SM Energy | 22.03% | 16.67% | 8.44% |
Insider & Institutional Ownership
94.6% of SM Energy shares are held by institutional investors. 1.5% of SM Energy shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares Viking Energy Group and SM Energy”s top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| Viking Energy Group | $24.04 million | N/A | -$15.43 million | N/A | N/A |
| SM Energy | $2.69 billion | 0.80 | $770.29 million | $6.34 | 2.97 |
SM Energy has higher revenue and earnings than Viking Energy Group.
Analyst Ratings
This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Viking Energy Group and SM Energy, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| Viking Energy Group | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| SM Energy | 1 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 2.33 |
SM Energy has a consensus price target of $35.91, indicating a potential upside of 90.55%. Given SM Energy’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe SM Energy is more favorable than Viking Energy Group.
Summary
SM Energy beats Viking Energy Group on 11 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Viking Energy Group
Viking Energy Group, Inc., an exploration and production company, engages in the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties in North America. The company operates through two segments, Oil and Gas Production and Power Generation. It manufactures and supplies power generation products, services, and custom energy solutions; clean-tech energy systems, including combined heat and power, tier 4 final diesel, and natural gas industrial engines, solar, wind, and storage; designs and assembles electrical control equipment, such as switch gear, synchronization and paralleling gear, distribution, bi-fuel, and complete power generation production controls; and clean energy and carbon-capture systems to generate clean electricity. The company also engages in developing, patent pending, electric transmission, and distribution of open conductor detection systems to detect a break in a transmission line, distribution line, or coupling failure. The company owns oil and gas leases in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Kansas. The company was formerly known as Viking Investments Group, Inc. and changed its name to Viking Energy Group, Inc. in March 2017. Viking Energy Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Viking Energy Group, Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Camber Energy, Inc.
About SM Energy
SM Energy Company, an independent energy company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and natural gas liquids in the state of Texas. It has working interests in oil and gas producing wells in the Midland Basin and South Texas. The company was formerly known as St. Mary Land & Exploration Company and changed its name to SM Energy Company in May 2010. SM Energy Company was founded in 1908 and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.