Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading 2% Higher – Still a Buy?

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)’s stock price was up 2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $140.88 and last traded at $139.66. Approximately 1,355,192 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 80% from the average daily volume of 6,744,831 shares. The stock had previously closed at $136.98.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Guggenheim lifted their target price on Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. 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 research note on Friday, November 22nd. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Vistra in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $178.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on Vistra from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $149.10.

Vistra Trading Up 2.1 %

The business has a fifty day moving average price of $140.29 and a 200 day moving average price of $106.91. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The company has a market capitalization of $47.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.16.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a $0.221 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.63%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio is 16.42%.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to reacquire up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Buying and Selling at Vistra

In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.16, for a total transaction of $18,878,400.00. Following the sale, 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 position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total value of $2,795,400.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 343,350 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $47,990,029.50. The trade was a 5.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 342,100 shares of company stock valued at $55,087,314 in the last three months. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Vistra by 71.8% during the second quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 152,760 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,134,000 after acquiring an additional 63,839 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in Vistra by 29.0% in the 2nd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,905 shares of the company’s stock worth $164,000 after purchasing an additional 428 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at about $225,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Yeomans Consulting Group Inc. purchased a new position in Vistra during the second quarter valued at approximately $376,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.