Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Down 2.4% on Insider Selling

Key Points

• Vistra shares fell 2.4% to about $147.41 after EVP Scott Hudson sold 44,444 shares for approximately $6.75 million under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan.
• Analysts remain broadly bullish, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $223.53, supported by expected electricity-demand growth, nuclear agreements and the Cogentrix acquisition.
• Risks include Vistra’s high debt load, a recent quarterly earnings and revenue miss, and additional financing through a junior subordinated notes offering.

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) shares traded down 2.4% on Thursday following insider selling activity. The company traded as low as $147.03 and last traded at $147.4060. Approximately 4,460,890 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 9% from the average daily volume of 4,893,803 shares. The stock had previously closed at $151.10.

Specifically, EVP Scott Hudson sold 44,444 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $151.82, for a total transaction of $6,747,488.08. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 331,137 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $50,273,219.34. The trade was a 11.83% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein set a $187.00 target price on shares of Vistra and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, June 16th. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Vistra from $222.00 to $221.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Mizuho started coverage on Vistra in a research report on Monday, August 24th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $169.00 price objective on the stock. Seaport Research Partners restated a "buy" rating and set a $230.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, June 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an "overweight" rating and issued a $212.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, August 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $223.53.

Key Vistra News

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vistra’s diversified 43,641-MW generation fleet, hedging strategy, long-term power-purchase agreements and capacity revenues provide earnings stability while positioning the company to benefit from higher U.S. electricity demand. Can VST's Diversified Power Generation Fleet Drive Long-Term Growth?
• Positive Sentiment: Long-term nuclear agreements with Meta and Amazon Web Services, the Cogentrix acquisition and potential AI-related power demand could improve earnings visibility and offset softer conditions in ERCOT. One analysis cited adjusted EBITDA growth of more than 30% in the second quarter and 2026 guidance at or above its midpoint. Vistra: Cogentrix And Meta Can Offset A Softer ERCOT Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain broadly constructive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus. Bullish cases point to data-center, electrification and industrial load growth, as well as possible upside from Meta contracts, Cogentrix and other infrastructure initiatives that may not be fully reflected in current valuations. Vistra Receives Consensus Recommendation of Moderate Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Recent commentary argues that VST has outperformed its industry and may be undervalued, but acknowledges that its high debt load and the need for a better entry point could limit near-term upside. Regulatory uncertainty and potential project delays also remain risks. VST Stock Outperforms Industry in the Past 3 Months: Time to Buy?
• Negative Sentiment: Vistra announced an underwritten public offering of multiple series of junior subordinated unsecured notes. While the proceeds could support corporate needs, the added financing reinforces concerns about leverage and may weigh on investor sentiment. Vistra Announces Registered Offering of Junior Subordinated Notes

Vistra Stock Down 2.4%

The stock has a market capitalization of $49.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.90 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87. The business's 50-day moving average is $148.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $154.25.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.61 by ($0.85). The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 108.68% and a net margin of 11.55%. Equities analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 9.21 EPS for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Monday, September 21st will be issued a $0.23 dividend. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 21st. Vistra's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 15.54%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Vistra during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Triumph Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Vistra in the 3rd quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Strive Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Vistra in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Vistra

Vistra Corp. is an integrated energy company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company operates electricity generation and retail energy businesses, serving residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale customers primarily across the United States.

Vistra's generation portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar and battery energy storage facilities. Through its retail operations, the company provides electricity, natural gas and renewable energy plans under brands that include TXU Energy, Dynegy, Homefield Energy and Ambit Energy.

The company was established in 2016 following the separation of Energy Future Holdings' competitive energy businesses.

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