Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Jumps 7.2% After Earnings Beat

Key Points

• Vistra shares rose 7.2% after quarterly results beat expectations: EPS was $3.23 versus $2.98 forecast, and revenue was $6.35 billion versus $6.03 billion expected.
• The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.231 per share and authorized a $1.5 billion share repurchase program, covering up to 3.3% of shares outstanding.
• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating, with an average price target of $202.48.

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report)'s share price was up 7.2% on Monday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock traded as high as $134.80 and last traded at $133.7830. 7,348,541 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 38% from the average session volume of 5,323,079 shares. The stock had previously closed at $124.80.

The company reported $3.23 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.98 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $6.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.03 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 123.66% and a net margin of 13.15%.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 22nd will be issued a $0.2310 dividend. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 22nd. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is 15.54%.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a share buyback program on Friday, November 6th that allows the company to repurchase $1.50 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to buy up to 3.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Share repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Trending Headlines about Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vistra’s record third-quarter earnings helped drive a post-results rebound. The company reported $3.23 per share, above the $2.98 consensus estimate, and revenue of $6.35 billion, also ahead of expectations. Vistra (VST) Stock Climbs After Record Q3 Earnings Power
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra’s board initiated a stock buyback program, which may support shareholder returns and signal confidence in the company’s prospects. Vistra Board of Directors Initiates Stock Buyback Program
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive: BMO retained its Outperform rating and sees substantial potential upside despite lowering its price target to $188 from $210. Bernstein also reiterated its Outperform rating. Vistra Keeps Sliding: Why BMO Sees 66% Upside
• Neutral Sentiment: Technical analysis says shares are holding above a key pivot after the earnings strength, but momentum is fading—suggesting the rally may face near-term resistance. VST Price Prediction: Vistra Holds Above Pivot as Earnings Strength Meets Fading Momentum
• Negative Sentiment: Potential limits or delays to Texas data-center development could weigh on power-demand growth. Vistra is described as more exposed to this risk than Constellation Energy, making policy uncertainty a concern for its growth outlook. Vistra and Constellation Both Fell Sharply After the Election

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on VST shares. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of Vistra from $227.00 to $226.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 21st. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Vistra from $196.00 to $194.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 27th. HSBC initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Thursday, October 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating and a $190.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho started coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, August 24th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $169.00 target price on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Vistra from $210.00 to $188.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eighteen have given a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $202.48.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO James Burke bought 4,465 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $135.25 per share, with a total value of $603,891.25. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer owned 1,146,352 shares in the company, valued at $155,044,108. This trade represents a 0.39% increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 22,222 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.14, for a total value of $3,558,631.08. Following the transaction, the executive vice president owned 308,915 shares in the company, valued at $49,469,648.10. This trade represents a 6.71% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.92% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the second quarter worth $4,610,496,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Vistra by 16.1% in the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 258,337 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,979,000 after acquiring an additional 35,862 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its position in shares of Vistra by 95.1% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 177,199 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,638,000 after acquiring an additional 86,393 shares during the period. Wealth High Governance Capital Ltda acquired a new position in shares of Vistra in the 1st quarter valued at $10,543,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Vistra by 353.5% in the 1st quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 11,690 shares of the company's stock worth $1,757,000 after acquiring an additional 9,112 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Vistra Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $44.90 billion, a PE ratio of 22.60 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 0.97. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $143.88 and a 200-day moving average of $152.65.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra Corp. is an integrated energy company that generates and sells electricity and provides related services to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Its retail businesses offer electricity plans and energy services through brands that include TXU Energy and Ambit Energy.

The company owns and operates a diverse generation fleet, including natural gas, nuclear, coal and solar facilities, as well as battery energy storage systems. Its operations serve customers and wholesale power markets across multiple U.S.

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