Vistra (NYSE:VST) EVP Sells $3,558,631.08 in Stock

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) EVP Scott Hudson sold 22,222 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.14, for a total value of $3,558,631.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 308,915 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $49,469,648.10. This represents a 6.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Vistra Stock Up 3.9%

Shares of NYSE:VST traded up $6.27 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $166.77. 11,977,038 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,076,990. The firm has a market cap of $55.97 billion, a PE ratio of 28.17 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87. Vistra Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $132.66 and a fifty-two week high of $217.10. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $143.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $151.04.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last released its earnings results on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by ($0.85). The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.46 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 108.68% and a net margin of 11.55%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Vistra Corp. will post 9.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were paid a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.2290. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.54%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $4,610,496,000. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Vistra in the 2nd quarter valued at $468,354,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in Vistra in the 2nd quarter valued at $381,938,000. Jupiter Topco LLC bought a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $262,169,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG bought a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $138,267,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

More Vistra News

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.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Vistra from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, August 21st. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on Vistra from $231.00 to $210.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday. Williams Trading set a $202.00 price objective on Vistra in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Weiss Ratings downgraded Vistra from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, Zacks Research lowered Vistra from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 18th. Fifteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $217.61.

About Vistra

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.