Vistra (NYSE:VST) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $1.55 EPS

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

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 Trading Down 4.0%

NYSE VST traded down $6.15 during trading on Friday, hitting $147.80. 8,051,627 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,164,317. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $159.25 and a two-hundred day moving average of $166.57. 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 12-month low of $133.73 and a 12-month high of $219.82. The firm has a market cap of $50.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.76, a PEG ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.43.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders 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 is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 41.94%.

Vistra News Roundup

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

Insider Transactions at Vistra

In other Vistra news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total transaction of $1,603,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 114,409 shares in the company, valued at $18,340,906.79. This represents a 8.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Empowered Funds LLC raised its stake in shares of Vistra by 24.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 20,190 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,371,000 after acquiring an additional 3,920 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its stake in shares of Vistra by 40.7% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 28,744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,376,000 after acquiring an additional 8,312 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth raised its stake in shares of Vistra by 37.3% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 7,828 shares of the company’s stock valued at $920,000 after acquiring an additional 2,125 shares during the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the second quarter valued at about $269,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP raised its stake in shares of Vistra by 20.0% during the second quarter. Slocum Gordon & Co LLP now owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock valued at $233,000 after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on VST. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $208.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Vistra from $287.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, February 6th. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Vistra from $253.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut 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 assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Vistra has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $233.93.

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.