Energy Stock Up 32%: Investor Builds $7 Million Stake in Vista Energy

Key Points

Equinox Partners bought 150,367 shares of Vista Energy in the fourth quarter. The quarter-end position value increased by $7.32 million due to the new position. The new Vista Energy stake places it outside the fund’s top five holdings by AUM.10 stocks we like better than Vista EnergyB. De C.v. ›

Equinox Partners Investment Management initiated a new stake in Vista Energy(NYSE:VIST) during the fourth quarter, buying 150,367 shares worth $7.32 million, according to a February 17, 2026, SEC filing.

What happened

According to an SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Equinox Partners Investment Management established a new position in Vista Energy(NYSE:VIST), acquiring 150,367 shares. The quarter-end valuation for this holding increased by $7.32 million, reflecting the addition of the new position.

What else to know

Vista Energy now represents 3.82% of Equinox Partners’ 13F AUM.Top five holdings after the filing:

NYSEMKT:GAU: $35.19 million (18.4% of AUM)NYSEMKT:GTE: $27.06 million (14.1% of AUM)NYSEMKT:ITRG: $23.69 million (12.4% of AUM)NYSEMKT:PSLV: $21.57 million (11.3% of AUM)NYSEMKT:NEWP: $19.78 million (10.3% of AUM)As of Thursday, VIST shares were priced at $60.86, up 32% over the past year and well outperforming the S&P 500’s roughly 16% gain in the same period.

Company overview MetricValuePrice (as of Thursday)$60.86Market Capitalization$6.5 billionRevenue (TTM)$2.23 billionNet Income (TTM)$727.14 million

Company Snapshot

Vista Energy engages in oil and gas exploration and production, with principal assets in Vaca Muerta and producing operations in Argentina and Mexico.The company generates revenue primarily from the extraction and sale of crude oil and natural gas, leveraging its portfolio of proved reserves and operated acreage.Vista Energy operates across Latin America and focuses on oil and gas exploration and production, with principal assets in unconventional resource basins like Vaca Muerta.

Vista Energy, S.A.B. de C.V. is a leading independent oil and gas producer in Latin America, operating a significant acreage position in the Vaca Muerta shale formation.

What this transaction means for investors

Energy portfolios often balance mature producers with companies still scaling production. Vista Energy falls squarely into the second category. The company has spent the past several years aggressively expanding its footprint in Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale basin, one of the largest unconventional oil formations outside North America. For investors looking at global supply growth, that basin has become one of the most closely watched development stories in the energy market.

Operational momentum has been strong. Vista reported total production of roughly 115,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025, a 66% jump from the prior year, driven by new shale wells and its increased stake in the La Amarga Chica block. Revenues climbed 48% to about $2.44 billion, while adjusted EBITDA reached about $1.6 billion as output growth offset weaker oil prices. Those numbers help explain why the stock has outpaced the broader market recently.

The position also fits with the broader portfolio profile. The fund’s largest holdings lean heavily toward commodity producers and precious metals exposure, including gold miners and a large silver trust position. Adding a fast-growing shale producer introduces a different energy lever without straying from the fund’s resource-focused strategy.

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Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.