Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Down 1% - Should You Sell?

Key Points

• Vistra Corp.'s stock price fell 1% during mid-day trading, closing at $202.15, with trading volume down 43% from its average.
• Analysts have given a generally positive outlook, with target price upgrades from firms like Goldman Sachs and Scotiabank, as well as a consensus rating of "Buy."
• The company recently increased its quarterly dividend from $0.23 to $0.226, reflecting a modest yield of 0.4% and a payout ratio of 14.35%.

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report)'s stock price was down 1% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $201.87 and last traded at $202.15. Approximately 3,839,646 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 43% from the average daily volume of 6,767,681 shares. The stock had previously closed at $204.24.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on VST shares. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Vistra from $179.00 to $203.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 13th. Scotiabank started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Monday. They issued a "sector outperform" rating and a $256.00 price target on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on Vistra from $191.00 to $229.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Vistra from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and set a $250.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Vistra from $227.00 to $248.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Vistra currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $217.13.

Vistra Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.58, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.80. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $198.84 and a 200-day moving average price of $165.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.49 billion, a PE ratio of 32.24, a P/E/G ratio of 3.40 and a beta of 1.33.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 7th. The company reported $1.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.63 by ($0.62). Vistra had a net margin of 12.90% and a return on equity of 108.41%. The company had revenue of $4.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $5.15 billion. Sell-side analysts forecast that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO James A. Burke sold 43,074 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $208.75, for a total value of $8,991,697.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 217,025 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,303,968.75. This represents a 16.56% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders sold 190,847 shares of company stock valued at $39,921,480 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Vistra in the second quarter valued at about $28,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Vistra in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. City State Bank boosted its holdings in Vistra by 210.0% in the second quarter. City State Bank now owns 155 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 19,300.0% in the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 194 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the last quarter. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 65.9% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 214 shares of the company's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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