Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)

Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 5.1% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 2,206,046 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 106,803 shares during the period. Vistra accounts for about 1.1% of Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned about 0.65% of Vistra worth $304,148,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Goodlander Investment Management LLC bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter worth approximately $19,302,000. Gotham Asset Management LLC grew its stake in Vistra by 78.7% in the fourth quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 63,704 shares of the company's stock worth $8,783,000 after purchasing an additional 28,058 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth grew its stake in Vistra by 85.9% in the fourth quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 5,703 shares of the company's stock worth $811,000 after purchasing an additional 2,635 shares in the last quarter. Eisler Capital Management Ltd. bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter worth approximately $2,276,000. Finally, Engle Capital Management L.P. bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter worth approximately $9,155,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on VST shares. Daiwa America raised Vistra to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. Evercore ISI started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $202.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Vistra from $203.00 to $186.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Vistra in a report on Friday, April 4th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $134.00 target price for the company. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on Vistra in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $120.00 target price for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $166.67.

Vistra Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of VST traded down $1.46 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $153.54. 1,543,122 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,554,435. Vistra Corp. has a 1 year low of $66.50 and a 1 year high of $199.84. The firm's fifty day moving average is $122.88 and its 200-day moving average is $141.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $52.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.16.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.225 per share. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.59%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 18th. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is currently 14.15%.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.19, for a total transaction of $2,997,449.84. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 51,063 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,341,513.97. This represents a 32.10% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director John William Pitesa bought 1,500 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 3,467 shares in the company, valued at $439,442.25. The trade was a 76.26% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Company insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

About Vistra

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.