Quantitative Investment Management LLC Purchases New Shares in Vistra Corp. $VST

Key Points

• Quantitative Investment Management LLC has invested approximately $3.75 million in Vistra Corp., acquiring 31,898 shares during the first quarter.
• Analysts have issued a consensus price target of $199.93 for Vistra's stock, with ratings varying from Strong Buy to Hold.
• Vistra has announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.226 per share, reflecting a positive change from the previous amount.

Quantitative Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 31,898 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,746,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. HM Payson & Co. lifted its position in Vistra by 275.4% during the first quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 229 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Keener Financial Planning LLC purchased a new stake in Vistra in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. Zions Bancorporation National Association UT bought a new stake in Vistra during the 1st quarter worth approximately $39,000. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Vistra during the first quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on VST shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $145.00 to $241.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, August 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Vistra from $179.00 to $203.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Vistra from $191.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Melius assumed coverage on Vistra in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a "buy" rating and a $295.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $192.00 price objective on Vistra and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $201.43.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In related news, Director John R. Sult sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $171.67, for a total value of $4,291,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 75,946 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,037,649.82. This trade represents a 24.77% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 50,000 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.75, for a total value of $8,637,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 255,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,084,418. This represents a 16.38% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Vistra Price Performance

Vistra stock traded up $5.42 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $195.50. 3,425,883 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,515,265. The stock has a market cap of $66.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.18, a PEG ratio of 2.19 and a beta of 1.30. The stock's fifty day moving average is $194.84 and its 200-day moving average is $158.59. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.58. Vistra Corp. has a 12 month low of $72.90 and a 12 month high of $216.85.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by ($0.62). The firm had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.15 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 108.41% and a net margin of 12.90%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.226 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 19th. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.5%. Vistra's payout ratio is currently 14.35%.

Vistra 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.