Insider Selling: Vistra (NYSE:VST) EVP Sells $3,558,631.08 in Stock

Key Points

• Vistra EVP Scott Hudson sold 22,222 shares at an average price of $160.14, generating $3.56 million; the transaction was conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan and reduced his holdings by 6.71%.
• Vistra shares rose to $166.77 during mid-day trading, while the company’s latest quarterly results fell short of expectations, reporting $0.76 in earnings per share versus the $1.61 consensus and revenue of $4.02 billion versus $5.46 billion expected.
• The company increased its quarterly dividend to $0.23 per share, and analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus with an average price target of $217.61; investors are also focused on Vistra’s nuclear expansion and potential AI-driven power demand.

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) EVP Scott Hudson sold 22,222 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.14, for a total transaction of $3,558,631.08. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 308,915 shares of the company's stock, valued at $49,469,648.10. The trade was a 6.71% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of VST traded up $6.27 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $166.77. The stock had a trading volume of 11,977,038 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,076,990. The company has a market cap of $55.97 billion, a PE ratio of 28.17 and a beta of 1.38. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $143.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $151.04. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87. Vistra Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $132.66 and a fifty-two week high of $217.10.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by ($0.85). Vistra had a return on equity of 108.68% and a net margin of 11.55%.The business had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. On average, equities analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 9.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were paid a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, September 21st. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.2290. Vistra's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.54%.

More Vistra News

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The U.S. Department of Energy announced a conditional loan commitment of up to $4.2 billion to help Vistra expand capacity and extend the operating lives of nuclear plants in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The funding could reduce project-financing needs, support additional generation and improve the long-term value of Vistra’s nuclear fleet. DoE confirms up to $4.2B loan to Vistra
• Positive Sentiment: The announcement reinforced the market’s view that reliable, around-the-clock nuclear electricity will become increasingly valuable as AI data centers expand. Vistra’s long-term power agreements with large customers, including Meta and New Era Energy, provide additional visibility into future demand and revenue. Vistra Stock Gains as Federal Funds Fuel Nuclear Power Expansion
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra rallied alongside Constellation Energy and Talen Energy after a separate announcement involving a long-term Google commitment to nuclear power. Investors interpreted the deal as evidence that hyperscalers may sign multiyear contracts for firm nuclear generation, potentially supporting higher power prices and cash flows across the sector. Constellation Energy, Vistra and Talen move on AI nuclear deals
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and investors continue comparing Vistra with Talen as potential AI-power beneficiaries. The key issue is how much of the opportunity becomes shareholder cash flow after capital spending, financing costs and debt service. Vistra vs. Talen: Which AI Power Stock Has the Stronger Cash-Flow Case?
• Negative Sentiment: Vistra is challenging a PJM market proposal at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, arguing it is discriminatory and legally flawed. Although the filing seeks to protect future investment incentives, regulatory uncertainty could affect market revenues and investment planning in the region. Vistra’s high leverage remains an additional risk for investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on VST shares. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $206.00 price target on Vistra in a research note on Wednesday, August 12th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Vistra from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 18th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Vistra from $293.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 15th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Vistra from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Finally, TD Cowen cut their price objective on shares of Vistra from $222.00 to $221.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $217.61.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the second quarter valued at $4,610,496,000. State Street Corp grew its stake in shares of Vistra by 0.5% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,850,452 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,672,987,000 after purchasing an additional 79,972 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Vistra by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,436,880 shares of the company's stock valued at $516,616,000 after buying an additional 32,982 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth about $468,354,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new position in Vistra in the second quarter valued at approximately $381,938,000. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra Corp. NYSE: VST is an integrated energy company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company operates electricity generation facilities and provides electricity and related energy services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage assets.

Vistra also operates a retail electricity business that offers power plans, renewable energy options, and energy-management services. Its retail brands include TXU Energy, Homefield Energy, Dynegy, and Ambit Energy, serving customers in competitive electricity markets across the United States.

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