BMO Capital Markets Cuts Vistra (NYSE:VST) Price Target to $210.00

Vistra (NYSE:VST) had its price objective lowered by BMO Capital Markets from $231.00 to $210.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on VST. Seaport Research Partners reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $230.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, June 15th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $293.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Vistra from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of Vistra from $222.00 to $221.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Vistra from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $217.61.

Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VST opened at $166.77 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Vistra has a 1 year low of $132.66 and a 1 year high of $217.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.97 billion, a PE ratio of 28.17 and a beta of 1.38. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $143.51 and its 200-day moving average price is $151.04.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.61 by ($0.85). The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. Vistra had a net margin of 11.55% and a return on equity of 108.68%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Vistra will post 9.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were paid a $0.23 dividend. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.2290. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio is 15.54%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In other news, EVP Scott Hudson sold 44,444 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.82, for a total transaction of $6,747,488.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 331,137 shares in the company, valued at $50,273,219.34. The trade was a 11.83% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO James A. Burke purchased 4,465 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $135.25 per share, for a total transaction of $603,891.25. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 1,146,352 shares in the company, valued at approximately $155,044,108. The trade was a 0.39% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. 0.92% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,610,496,000. State Street Corp grew its position in Vistra by 0.5% in the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,850,452 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,672,987,000 after acquiring an additional 79,972 shares during the period. Capital World Investors purchased a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter worth approximately $574,499,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in Vistra by 1.0% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,436,880 shares of the company’s stock worth $516,616,000 after acquiring an additional 32,982 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in Vistra during the second quarter worth $468,354,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Trending Headlines about Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The U.S. Department of Energy announced a conditional loan commitment of up to $4.2 billion to help Vistra expand capacity and extend the operating lives of nuclear plants in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The funding could reduce project-financing needs, support additional generation and improve the long-term value of Vistra’s nuclear fleet. DoE confirms up to $4.2B loan to Vistra
• Positive Sentiment: The announcement reinforced the market’s view that reliable, around-the-clock nuclear electricity will become increasingly valuable as AI data centers expand. Vistra’s long-term power agreements with large customers, including Meta and New Era Energy, provide additional visibility into future demand and revenue. Vistra Stock Gains as Federal Funds Fuel Nuclear Power Expansion
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra rallied alongside Constellation Energy and Talen Energy after a separate announcement involving a long-term Google commitment to nuclear power. Investors interpreted the deal as evidence that hyperscalers may sign multiyear contracts for firm nuclear generation, potentially supporting higher power prices and cash flows across the sector. Constellation Energy, Vistra and Talen move on AI nuclear deals
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and investors continue comparing Vistra with Talen as potential AI-power beneficiaries. The key issue is how much of the opportunity becomes shareholder cash flow after capital spending, financing costs and debt service. Vistra vs. Talen: Which AI Power Stock Has the Stronger Cash-Flow Case?
• Negative Sentiment: Vistra is challenging a PJM market proposal at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, arguing it is discriminatory and legally flawed. Although the filing seeks to protect future investment incentives, regulatory uncertainty could affect market revenues and investment planning in the region. Vistra’s high leverage remains an additional risk for investors.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is an integrated energy company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company operates electricity generation facilities and provides electricity and related energy services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage assets.

Vistra also operates a retail electricity business that offers power plans, renewable energy options, and energy-management services. Its retail brands include TXU Energy, Homefield Energy, Dynegy, and Ambit Energy, serving customers in competitive electricity markets across the United States.