Vistra (NYSE:VST) Shares Down 7.4% – Should You Sell?

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)’s stock price traded down 7.4% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $163.01 and last traded at $166.93. 13,202,072 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 77% from the average session volume of 7,474,862 shares. The stock had previously closed at $180.18.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on VST shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $228.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a report on Tuesday, December 16th. Bank of America reduced their price target on Vistra from $231.00 to $218.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Vistra from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Cowen assumed coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vistra has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $239.40.

Vistra Trading Down 7.4%

The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74. The firm has a market cap of $56.56 billion, a PE ratio of 60.26, a P/E/G ratio of 1.03 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $169.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $187.86.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last posted its earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.78 by ($0.03). The business had revenue of $4.97 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $6.60 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 64.04% and a net margin of 6.70%. Analysts forecast that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 22nd were issued a $0.227 dividend. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 32.49%.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $168.86, for a total transaction of $9,456,160.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 306,600 shares in the company, valued at $51,772,476. This trade represents a 15.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO James A. Burke sold 22,251 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $162.05, for a total transaction of $3,605,774.55. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 297,998 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $48,290,575.90. This represents a 6.95% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 278,995 shares of company stock valued at $50,757,547 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.42% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Salomon & Ludwin LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vistra during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Quent Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Vistra in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $28,000. Archer Investment Corp grew its position in Vistra by 2,700.0% during the 3rd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 140 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in Vistra during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

About Vistra

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.