Morse Asset Management Inc Boosts Stake in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)

Morse Asset Management Inc boosted its position in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 35.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 27,072 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 7,060 shares during the quarter. Morse Asset Management Inc's holdings in Vistra were worth $3,179,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. HM Payson & Co. boosted its holdings in Vistra by 275.4% during the 1st quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 229 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Whittier Trust Co. raised its position in Vistra by 1,611.8% in the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 291 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra in the 1st quarter valued at about $46,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Scott B. Helm sold 50,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.75, for a total transaction of $8,637,500.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 255,192 shares in the company, valued at $44,084,418. This trade represents a 16.38% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director John R. Sult sold 25,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $171.67, for a total value of $4,291,750.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 75,946 shares in the company, valued at $13,037,649.82. This represents a 24.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 294,000 shares of company stock worth $47,461,490 over the last ninety days. 1.42% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Vistra Stock Up 6.1%

Shares of NYSE VST traded up $11.04 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $193.04. 6,414,225 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,118,667. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.53, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.77. Vistra Corp. has a twelve month low of $66.50 and a twelve month high of $200.25. The company has a market cap of $65.50 billion, a PE ratio of 24.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.26. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $175.48 and its 200-day simple moving average is $152.70.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 18th were paid a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.47%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 18th. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.15%.

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.