Vistra (NYSE:VST) Issues Earnings Results

Vistra (NYSE:VST) announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday. The company reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $1.55, FiscalAI reports. The firm had revenue of $5.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.22 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 111.30% and a net margin of 11.52%.

Here are the key takeaways from Vistra’s conference call:

• Vistra reported approximately $1.5 billion of adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2026 (a Q1 record), with strong fleet performance (nuclear 100% availability, gas 97%) and management reaffirming 2026 guidance and the 2027 adjusted EBITDA midpoint opportunity.
• The company announced the 5,500 MW Cogentrix natural gas acquisition and long‑term PPAs with Meta for ~2,600 MW at PJM nuclear sites; current guidance excludes these items and Cogentrix is expected to close in H2 2026, after which guidance will be updated.
• Capital allocation and returns were accelerated — ~$525 million of share repurchases in the first four months plus ~$75 million dividend (≈$600M returned YTD), ~ $1.475B buyback authorization remaining, and management projects > $10 billion cash generation across 2026–2027 with targeted allocations to shareholder returns (~$3B) and growth (~$4B).
• Management reiterated a structural demand thesis (ERCOT 5–6% CAGR, PJM 2–3%) and a ~4,500 MW organic development pipeline (renewables, coal‑to‑gas conversions, Permian gas builds, nuclear uprates) and plans to use co‑location and bridge‑power solutions to serve hyperscalers, but outcomes depend on interconnection timing and evolving market/regulatory rules.
• Credit/financial flexibility improved after a Fitch upgrade to investment grade (joining S&P), which triggered fallaway provisions and the release of certain liens, strengthening Vistra’s ability to pursue growth and capital returns.

Vistra Price Performance

NYSE:VST traded down $6.15 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $147.80. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 8,051,627 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,164,317. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $159.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $166.57. The company has a market capitalization of $50.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 68.11, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.69. Vistra has a twelve month low of $133.73 and a twelve month high of $219.82.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.229 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 22nd. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio is currently 41.94%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VST has been the topic of several analyst reports. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Vistra from $253.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, May 4th. Raymond James Financial set a $208.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, April 27th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $241.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday, March 2nd. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and issued a $208.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Vistra from $236.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $233.93.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total value of $1,603,100.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 114,409 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,340,906.79. This represents a 8.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Strive Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. IFC & Insurance Marketing Inc. bought a new position in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vistra reported first-quarter EPS of $2.90, well above expectations, and revenue of $5.64 billion versus estimates of $5.22 billion, showing strong operating momentum. Conference Call / Earnings Report
• Positive Sentiment: The company swung to a quarterly profit as rising power demand and higher prices boosted results, reinforcing the bullish demand backdrop for its electricity business. Reuters Article
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra reaffirmed its 2026 guidance for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow, signaling management confidence in the outlook despite market volatility. Press Release
• Positive Sentiment: The company also received an investment-grade credit rating upgrade from a second major agency, which can improve financing flexibility and support valuation. Press Release
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to hold a consensus “Buy” rating on Vistra, suggesting Wall Street remains constructive but not necessarily surprised by the longer-term story. Analyst Rating Article
• Neutral Sentiment: Several commentary pieces focused on whether Vistra’s strong multi-year run leaves room for further upside, which may temper enthusiasm even after the earnings beat. Valuation Commentary

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.