Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Down 8.8% – Here’s Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)’s stock price was down 8.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $153.54 and last traded at $154.6350. Approximately 9,388,200 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 55% from the average daily volume of 6,043,391 shares. The stock had previously closed at $169.53.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. KeyCorp initiated coverage on Vistra in a research report on Monday, November 24th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $217.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Vistra from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of Vistra from $245.00 to $230.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They set a “buy” rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Daiwa America raised Vistra from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $231.40.

Vistra Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $50.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.33, a PEG ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 1.41. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $171.31 and its 200-day moving average price is $188.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.99.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.78 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $4.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.60 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 64.04% and a net margin of 6.70%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Monday, December 22nd were paid a $0.227 dividend. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In other news, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 58,275 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total value of $10,183,556.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 218,239 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $38,137,265.25. This represents a 21.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO James A. Burke sold 41,426 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.32, for a total transaction of $8,339,882.32. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 246,522 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $49,629,809.04. The trade was a 14.39% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold a total of 405,876 shares of company stock worth $76,995,686 over the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.42% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 5.7% in the 4th quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,932 shares of the company’s stock valued at $634,000 after buying an additional 211 shares in the last quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC grew its stake in shares of Vistra by 440.4% in the fourth quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 19,476 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,142,000 after acquiring an additional 15,872 shares in the last quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Vistra by 39.9% during the fourth quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC now owns 78,855 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,722,000 after acquiring an additional 22,492 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in Vistra by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 163,258 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,686,000 after purchasing an additional 1,825 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC bought a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at about $206,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra (NYSE: VST) is an integrated power company that develops, owns and operates electricity generation and retail businesses in the United States. The company’s operations span wholesale power production—through a diversified fleet of thermal and lower‑carbon generation assets—and retail electricity supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Vistra serves organized wholesale markets and competitive retail markets, with a notable presence in Texas and other regional U.S. power markets.

Vistra’s core activities include the ownership and operation of generation facilities, the commercial dispatch and optimization of those assets into wholesale markets, and the sale of electricity and related services to end-use customers through its retail brands.