Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Down 2% – Here’s Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)’s share price fell 2% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $140.21 and last traded at $140.7470. 5,024,151 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 3% from the average session volume of 4,879,384 shares. The stock had previously closed at $143.56.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Mizuho initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, August 24th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $169.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research report on Thursday, May 21st. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $187.00 price objective on shares of Vistra and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 16th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on shares of Vistra from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Vistra from $222.00 to $221.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $221.88.

Vistra Price Performance

The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $147.62 and its 200-day simple moving average is $153.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $47.24 billion, a PE ratio of 23.77 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87.

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

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st will be given a $0.23 dividend. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 21st. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. Vistra’s payout ratio is presently 15.54%.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO James A. Burke purchased 4,465 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $135.25 per share, with a total value of $603,891.25. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,146,352 shares in the company, valued at $155,044,108. The trade was a 0.39% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Scott Hudson sold 44,444 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.82, for a total transaction of $6,747,488.08. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 331,137 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $50,273,219.34. This represents a 11.83% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. bought a new stake in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd bought a new position in Vistra in the second quarter valued at about $37,000. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. boosted its position in Vistra by 141.2% in the first quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 246 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Vistra by 46.6% in the first quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 302 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Community Trust NA bought a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 1st quarter valued at about $54,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Vistra

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.