Fifth Third Bancorp Boosts Stake in Vistra Corp. $VST

Key Points

• Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in Vistra by 30.4% in Q4 and now owns 90,806 shares worth about $14.65 million, while hedge funds and other institutions hold roughly 90.88% of the stock.
• Vistra raised its quarterly dividend to $0.229 per share (annualized $0.92, ~0.6% yield), payable June 30, reflecting a payout ratio near 41.9% and supporting income-oriented investors.
• Analyst sentiment is mixed—MarketBeat shows a consensus Buy with a $235.27 target, but Vistra recently missed EPS ($2.18 vs. $2.45), faces a high P/E (~71.7) and heavy leverage (debt/equity ~6.0), and some brokers have trimmed price targets.

Fifth Third Bancorp raised its position in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 30.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 90,806 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 21,150 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp's holdings in Vistra were worth $14,650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Empowered Funds LLC lifted its position in shares of Vistra by 24.1% during the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 20,190 shares of the company's stock worth $2,371,000 after purchasing an additional 3,920 shares during the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP lifted its position in shares of Vistra by 40.7% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 28,744 shares of the company's stock worth $3,376,000 after purchasing an additional 8,312 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth lifted its position in shares of Vistra by 37.3% during the first quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 7,828 shares of the company's stock worth $920,000 after purchasing 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 worth about $269,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP lifted its position 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 worth $233,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.229/share (a ~0.4% increase versus prior quarter), payable June 30 to holders of record June 22; company estimates an aggregate ~$75 million common payout this quarter — supports income-oriented investors. Vistra Declares Dividend on Common Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series C Preferred Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra was listed among the "10 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds," highlighting its large, diversified generation fleet (gas, nuclear, coal, solar, batteries) — positive for sentiment and potential fund interest. Vistra Corp. (VST) – Among the 10 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan trimmed its price target from $240 to $231 but kept an "overweight" rating — a lower target could temper upside expectations, though the firm remains constructive. Benzinga Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyses and valuation pieces are circulating (coverage of recent share volatility and valuation metrics), drawing investor attention to Vistra's revenue mix and earnings profile — increases scrutiny but not a clear directional catalyst. Assessing Vistra (VST) Valuation After Recent Share Price Volatility
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks compares Vistra favorably vs. Southern Co., citing its nuclear expansion and valuation edge — useful context for longer-term investors but not an immediate share driver. Vistra or Southern Co.: Which Utility Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-earnings coverage warns Vistra may lack the setup for an earnings beat next week — heightened risk the upcoming report could disappoint and pressure the stock. Vistra Corp. (VST) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week's Release
• Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch noted Vistra underperformed peers on a recent trading day despite some daily gains — a reminder of relative weakness that can amplify selling if sector momentum fades. Vistra Corp. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Vistra news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total value of $1,603,100.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 114,409 shares in the company, valued at approximately $18,340,906.79. This trade represents a 8.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on VST. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Vistra in a research report on Friday, March 27th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Vistra from $240.00 to $231.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an "overweight" rating and set a $208.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Vistra from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $191.00 to $203.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Vistra from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $205.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Vistra presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $235.27.

Vistra Price Performance

VST opened at $155.62 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $52.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.44. Vistra Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $133.73 and a fifty-two week high of $219.82. The company's 50-day moving average price is $159.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $168.18. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported $2.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.45 by ($0.27). The business had revenue of $4.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.75 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 81.09% and a net margin of 5.32%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 8.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

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

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.

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