Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Up 0.4% – Here’s Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares rose 0.4% on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $172.77 and last traded at $168.40. Approximately 1,677,839 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 8,974,882 shares. The stock had previously closed at $167.66.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VST has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday, January 27th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $206.00 target price on the stock. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. They set an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $171.64.

Vistra Stock Performance

The business’s fifty day moving average price is $159.26 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $130.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.57, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.22.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Vistra

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Lionsbridge Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth about $277,000. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth about $231,000. Empire Life Investments Inc. bought a new position in Vistra in the 3rd quarter worth about $23,028,000. Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its stake in Vistra by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 78,965 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,361,000 after acquiring an additional 6,920 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP bought a new position in Vistra in the 3rd quarter worth about $17,781,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.