Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Shares Sold by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. lowered its position in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 23.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 393,406 shares of the company's stock after selling 120,936 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.12% of Vistra worth $46,202,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Vistra by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,539,243 shares of the company's stock worth $1,174,326,000 after buying an additional 219,055 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in Vistra by 63.6% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,260,363 shares of the company's stock worth $863,116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,433,732 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its holdings in Vistra by 10.9% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,026,484 shares of the company's stock worth $417,261,000 after purchasing an additional 296,714 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth $409,087,000. Finally, Castle Hook Partners LP raised its holdings in Vistra by 13.6% in the 4th quarter. Castle Hook Partners LP now owns 2,964,222 shares of the company's stock worth $408,677,000 after purchasing an additional 353,949 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director John R. Sult sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.67, for a total transaction of $4,291,750.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 75,946 shares in the company, valued at $13,037,649.82. This trade represents a 24.77% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $161.44, for a total value of $5,650,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 88,073 shares in the company, valued at $14,218,505.12. This trade represents a 28.44% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 294,000 shares of company stock valued at $47,461,490 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

Vistra Stock Down 2.3%

Shares of VST stock traded down $4.49 on Tuesday, hitting $189.21. The stock had a trading volume of 479,743 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,146,034. The company has a quick ratio of 0.77, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.53. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $165.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $149.58. The company has a market cap of $64.20 billion, a PE ratio of 29.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 1.26. Vistra Corp. has a one year low of $66.50 and a one year high of $199.84.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 18th were paid a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.48%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 18th. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's payout ratio is 14.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on VST. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Vistra from $134.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, May 23rd. Raymond James Financial started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Friday, June 13th. They issued a "strong-buy" rating and a $216.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Vistra from $203.00 to $186.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 28th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $178.00 to $186.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Vistra from $160.00 to $207.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 17th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $176.92.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra Corp., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company. The company operates through six segments: Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure. It retails electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across states in the United States and the District of Columbia.