Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading 6.2% Higher - Still a Buy?

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report)'s stock price was up 6.2% on Friday . The company traded as high as $193.07 and last traded at $193.36. Approximately 1,904,274 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 73% from the average daily volume of 7,099,940 shares. The stock had previously closed at $182.00.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on VST. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Vistra from $178.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Vistra from $203.00 to $186.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 28th. Evercore ISI set a $192.00 price target on shares of Vistra and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $134.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, May 23rd. Finally, Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Friday, June 13th. They issued a "strong-buy" rating and a $216.00 target price on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vistra currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $176.92.

Vistra Stock Up 6.1%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.53, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.86. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $175.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $152.70. The company has a market capitalization of $65.50 billion, a PE ratio of 30.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.27 and a beta of 1.26.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, June 18th were given a $0.225 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 18th. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.47%. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's payout ratio is presently 14.15%.

Insider Transactions at Vistra

In related news, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 108,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.98, for a total transaction of $16,953,840.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 218,239 shares of the company's stock, valued at $34,259,158.22. This represents a 33.10% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 50,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.75, for a total value of $8,637,500.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 255,192 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $44,084,418. The trade was a 16.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 294,000 shares of company stock valued at $47,461,490 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Banque Transatlantique SA boosted its holdings in Vistra by 132.0% during the first quarter. Banque Transatlantique SA now owns 232 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. HM Payson & Co. boosted its position in shares of Vistra by 275.4% in the 1st quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 229 shares of the company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 168 shares during the period. Tucker Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Keener Financial Planning LLC acquired a new position in Vistra in the 1st quarter worth approximately $34,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Vistra Company Profile

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.