Vistra (NYSE:VST) Posts Earnings Results

Vistra (NYSE:VST) announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by $1.55, FiscalAI reports. The company had revenue of $5.64 billion for 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 Stock Down 4.0%

Shares of NYSE:VST traded down $6.15 during midday 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 company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.78. The company has a market cap of $50.04 billion, a PE ratio of 24.76, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 1.43. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $159.25 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $166.57. Vistra has a twelve month low of $133.73 and a twelve month high of $219.82.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.229 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 22nd. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 41.94%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on VST. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Vistra in a report on Friday, March 27th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Vistra from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $191.00 to $203.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $241.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Vistra from $240.00 to $231.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Vistra presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $233.93.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In related news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the executive vice president owned 114,409 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,340,906.79. The trade was a 8.04% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in Vistra by 24.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 20,190 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,371,000 after buying an additional 3,920 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP increased its stake in Vistra by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 28,744 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,376,000 after buying an additional 8,312 shares during the period. Focus Partners Wealth increased its stake in Vistra by 37.3% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 7,828 shares of the company’s stock worth $920,000 after buying an additional 2,125 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $269,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP increased its stake in Vistra by 20.0% during the 2nd quarter. Slocum Gordon & Co LLP now owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock worth $233,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Key Vistra News

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.