Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Receives $149.10 Consensus PT from Analysts

Shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) have been given a consensus rating of “Buy” by the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $149.10.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on VST shares. UBS Group lowered their price target on shares of Vistra from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $178.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on Vistra from $105.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 3rd.

Vistra Price Performance

NYSE VST opened at $159.84 on Friday. Vistra has a 12-month low of $34.89 and a 12-month high of $168.67. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $133.51 and its 200-day moving average is $102.33. The company has a market capitalization of $54.38 billion, a PE ratio of 29.82, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68.

Vistra announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 7th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually an indication that the company’s board believes its stock is undervalued.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.221 per share. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.55%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 16.42%.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.16, for a total value of $18,878,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 254,932 shares in the company, valued at approximately $41,849,637.12. This trade represents a 31.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP Stephen J. Muscato sold 207,100 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.34, for a total transaction of $33,413,514.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 318,287 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $51,352,424.58. This represents a 39.42 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Blankinship & Foster LLC acquired a new position in Vistra during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $2,353,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Vistra during the third quarter worth $263,000. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the third quarter worth $351,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Vistra by 41.9% in the 3rd quarter. Sanctuary Advisors LLC now owns 129,237 shares of the company’s stock valued at $15,320,000 after acquiring an additional 38,178 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at $208,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently 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.