Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Down 0.1% – Here’s What Happened

Shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) dropped 0.1% on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $163.12 and last traded at $166.39. Approximately 2,731,451 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 70% from the average daily volume of 9,151,542 shares. The stock had previously closed at $166.61.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently commented on VST shares. UBS Group upped their price objective on Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Bank of America began coverage on Vistra in a report on Monday, January 27th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $206.00 price target for the company. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 price objective on the stock. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Vistra currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $171.64.

Vistra Stock Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $57.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.22. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $158.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.78.

Vistra announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock 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 reacquire up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically an indication that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In related 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 transaction, the executive vice president now owns 318,287 shares in the company, valued at $51,352,424.58. The trade was a 39.42 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 343,350 shares in the company, valued at $47,990,029.50. This represents a 5.50 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 342,100 shares of company stock valued at $55,087,314 over the last 90 days. 1.42% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC grew its position in shares of Vistra by 616.0% in the fourth quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 179 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC boosted 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 valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $28,000. 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.