Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Down 1.6% – Here’s Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares traded down 1.6% on Friday . The stock traded as low as $126.27 and last traded at $129.80. 1,603,585 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 7,471,296 shares. The stock had previously closed at $131.90.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Vistra to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. UBS Group increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $162.83.

Vistra Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.11. The firm has a market cap of $44.27 billion, a PE ratio of 24.27, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $152.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $137.89.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, March 20th will be given a dividend of $0.2235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 20th. This represents a $0.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.69%. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.62%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director John William Pitesa acquired 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $439,442.25. This trade represents a 76.26 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the director now directly owns 51,063 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,341,513.97. The trade was a 32.10 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Lionsbridge Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $277,000. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $231,000. Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its position in Vistra by 9.6% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 78,965 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,361,000 after buying an additional 6,920 shares during the period. First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 3rd quarter valued at $17,781,000. Finally, Legal Advantage Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at $565,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% 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.