Cetera Investment Advisers Boosts Stock Holdings in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)

Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 29.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 126,403 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 28,592 shares during the quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers' holdings in Vistra were worth $17,427,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Vistra by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,539,243 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,174,326,000 after acquiring an additional 219,055 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its holdings in Vistra by 63.6% in the fourth quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 6,260,363 shares of the company's stock valued at $863,116,000 after purchasing an additional 2,433,732 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Vistra by 10.9% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 3,026,484 shares of the company's stock worth $417,261,000 after purchasing an additional 296,714 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Vistra during the 4th quarter worth $409,087,000. Finally, Appaloosa LP lifted its holdings in Vistra by 112.5% during the 4th quarter. Appaloosa LP now owns 2,700,000 shares of the company's stock worth $372,249,000 after buying an additional 1,429,612 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on VST. Daiwa America raised Vistra to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. UBS Group raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $154.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Vistra from $203.00 to $186.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Vistra in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $134.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Vistra from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and cut their price target for the company from $164.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Vistra currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $166.67.

Vistra Stock Up 7.5%

VST stock traded up $10.12 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $145.87. 8,349,698 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,573,106. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $122.06 and its 200-day moving average price is $141.56. Vistra Corp. has a 52 week low of $66.50 and a 52 week high of $199.84. The company has a market cap of $49.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.16.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 18th will be issued a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.62%. 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 12.77%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In related news, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of Vistra 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 sale, the director now directly owns 51,063 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,341,513.97. This trade represents a 32.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director John William Pitesa purchased 1,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $126.75 per share, for a total transaction of $190,125.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, 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 position. 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.