Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Up 4.3% – Here’s Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares traded up 4.3% during trading on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $181.48 and last traded at $178.19. 3,318,891 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 52% from the average session volume of 6,925,045 shares. The stock had previously closed at $170.86.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on VST shares. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $99.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Vistra from $105.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Vistra in a report on Tuesday. They set an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 price target on the stock. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday, October 14th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $231.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim raised their price objective on shares of Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 8th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Vistra currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $163.80.

Vistra Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $63.39 billion, a PE ratio of 34.87, a PEG ratio of 1.62 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $152.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $117.73.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a dividend of $0.221 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra’s payout ratio is presently 16.42%.

Vistra announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Stephen J. Muscato sold 207,100 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.34, for a total value of $33,413,514.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 318,287 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $51,352,424.58. The trade was a 39.42 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total value of $2,795,400.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 343,350 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,990,029.50. This trade represents a 5.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 342,100 shares of company stock worth $55,087,314. 1.42% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Vistra by 56.5% during the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC purchased a new position in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $30,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia.