Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS Sells 27,845 Shares of Vistra Corp. $VST

Key Points

• Kornitzer Capital Management trimmed its stake in Vistra by 18%, selling 27,845 shares and leaving it with 126,993 shares worth about $20.49 million after the fourth-quarter reduction.
• Vistra missed its latest quarter with $2.18 EPS vs. a $2.45 consensus and revenue of $4.58 billion versus $5.75 billion expected, a shortfall that could weigh on the stock near upcoming reports.
• Dividend bump: Vistra raised its quarterly dividend to $0.229 (annualized $0.92), payable June 30 with an ex-dividend date of June 22, implying a roughly 0.6% yield.

Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS reduced its position in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 18.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 126,993 shares of the company's stock after selling 27,845 shares during the quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS's holdings in Vistra were worth $20,488,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VST. Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new position in Vistra in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,445,000. CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new position in Vistra in the third quarter valued at approximately $8,755,000. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in Vistra by 39.9% in the fourth quarter. Teamwork Financial Advisors LLC now owns 78,855 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,722,000 after purchasing an additional 22,492 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Funds Management LTD purchased a new position in Vistra in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,241,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Vistra by 49.2% during the third quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 371,497 shares of the company's stock worth $72,784,000 after acquiring an additional 122,545 shares during the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of VST opened at $155.62 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $159.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.18. Vistra Corp. has a 12-month low of $133.73 and a 12-month high of $219.82. The firm has a market cap of $52.68 billion, a PE ratio of 71.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.49.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results 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). Vistra had a return on equity of 81.09% and a net margin of 5.32%.The company had revenue of $4.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.75 billion. As a group, equities analysts predict that Vistra Corp. will post 8.72 EPS for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 is a boost from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 22nd. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is 41.94%.

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

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In related news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total transaction of $1,603,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 114,409 shares of the company's stock, valued at $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 is available through this link. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VST has been the topic of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets restated an "outperform" rating and set a $241.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Bank of America lowered their target price on shares of Vistra from $231.00 to $218.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded shares of Vistra from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their target price for the stock from $191.00 to $203.00 in a research report on Tuesday, February 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Vistra from $240.00 to $231.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Vistra from $236.00 to $234.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vistra currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $235.27.

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.

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