Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading 7.2% Higher - Here's Why

Key Points

• Vistra Corp. stock has experienced a significant increase, rising 7.2% on Wednesday, trading at approximately $207.83 after previously closing at $193.78.
• The company reported a quarterly earnings miss with $1.01 per share, falling short of the expected $1.63, along with revenues of $4.25 billion, below the consensus estimate of $5.15 billion.
• Vistra has announced a slight increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.226, reflecting a dividend yield of 0.4% and a payout ratio of 14.35%.

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) rose 7.2% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $206.43 and last traded at $207.83. Approximately 1,602,691 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 6,831,255 shares. The stock had previously closed at $193.78.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen downgraded Vistra from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Melius started coverage on Vistra in a report on Wednesday, August 20th. They set a "buy" rating and a $295.00 target price on the stock. Raymond James Financial assumed coverage on Vistra in a research report on Friday, June 13th. They issued a "strong-buy" rating and a $216.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley set a $207.00 price objective on Vistra and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 21st. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $192.00 target price on Vistra and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Thursday, May 15th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $201.43.

Vistra Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.58. The firm has a market cap of $70.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.94 and a beta of 1.34. The company's 50-day moving average is $195.48 and its 200-day moving average is $160.32.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by ($0.62). Vistra had a return on equity of 108.41% and a net margin of 12.90%.The firm had revenue of $4.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.15 billion. Equities research analysts predict that Vistra Corp. will post 7 earnings per share for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 19th will be paid a $0.226 dividend. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 19th. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is currently 14.35%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in VST. Baird Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Vistra by 10.1% in the 4th quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 14,068 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,940,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288 shares in the last quarter. Ethic Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at $1,454,000. Focus Partners Wealth raised its position in Vistra by 85.9% during the 4th quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 5,703 shares of the company's stock valued at $811,000 after purchasing an additional 2,635 shares during the last quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC raised its position in Vistra by 78.7% during the 4th quarter. Gotham Asset Management LLC now owns 63,704 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,783,000 after purchasing an additional 28,058 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Interval Partners LP bought a new position in Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $417,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.