Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Down 2.4% on Insider Selling

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares fell 2.4% during mid-day trading on Thursday after an insider sold shares in the company. The stock traded as low as $147.03 and last traded at $147.4060. 4,460,890 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 9% from the average daily volume of 4,893,803 shares. The stock had previously closed at $151.10.

Specifically, EVP Scott Hudson sold 44,444 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.82, for a total value of $6,747,488.08. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 331,137 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $50,273,219.34. This represents a 11.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on VST shares. Seaport Research Partners reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $230.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday, June 15th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on shares of Vistra from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 21st. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on shares of Vistra from $222.00 to $221.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Zacks Research cut shares of Vistra from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. Finally, UBS Group lowered their price target on Vistra from $233.00 to $227.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $223.53.

Trending Headlines about Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vistra’s diversified 43,641-MW generation fleet, hedging strategy, long-term power-purchase agreements and capacity revenues provide earnings stability while positioning the company to benefit from higher U.S. electricity demand. Can VST’s Diversified Power Generation Fleet Drive Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term nuclear agreements with Meta and Amazon Web Services, the Cogentrix acquisition and potential AI-related power demand could improve earnings visibility and offset softer conditions in ERCOT. One analysis cited adjusted EBITDA growth of more than 30% in the second quarter and 2026 guidance at or above its midpoint. Vistra: Cogentrix And Meta Can Offset A Softer ERCOT Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain broadly constructive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus. Bullish cases point to data-center, electrification and industrial load growth, as well as possible upside from Meta contracts, Cogentrix and other infrastructure initiatives that may not be fully reflected in current valuations. Vistra Receives Consensus Recommendation of Moderate Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary argues that VST has outperformed its industry and may be undervalued, but acknowledges that its high debt load and the need for a better entry point could limit near-term upside. Regulatory uncertainty and potential project delays also remain risks. VST Stock Outperforms Industry in the Past 3 Months: Time to Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Vistra announced an underwritten public offering of multiple series of junior subordinated unsecured notes. While the proceeds could support corporate needs, the added financing reinforces concerns about leverage and may weigh on investor sentiment. Vistra Announces Registered Offering of Junior Subordinated Notes

Vistra Trading Down 2.4%

The firm has a market capitalization of $49.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90 and a beta of 1.40. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $148.94 and its 200-day moving average price is $154.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.87.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.61 by ($0.85). The business had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 108.68% and a net margin of 11.55%. Equities analysts forecast that Vistra Corp. will post 9.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 21st will be issued a $0.23 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 21st. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s payout ratio is 15.54%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Strive Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Finally, IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. purchased a new stake in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $35,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra Corp. is an integrated energy company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company operates electricity generation and retail energy businesses, serving residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers primarily across the United States.

Vistra’s generation portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar and battery energy storage facilities. Through its retail operations, the company provides electricity, natural gas and renewable energy plans under brands that include TXU Energy, Dynegy, Homefield Energy and Ambit Energy.

The company was established in 2016 following the separation of Energy Future Holdings’ competitive energy businesses.