Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totaling 11,237,560 shares, an increase of 20.4% from the March 31st total of 9,333,104 shares. Currently, 3.4% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 3,392,087 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.3 days.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In related news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total transaction of $1,603,100.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 114,409 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $18,340,906.79. The trade was a 8.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of VST. Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 24.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 20,190 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,371,000 after purchasing an additional 3,920 shares in the last quarter. Woodline Partners LP raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 40.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 28,744 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,376,000 after purchasing an additional 8,312 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 37.3% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 7,828 shares of the company’s stock valued at $920,000 after purchasing an additional 2,125 shares in the last quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at $269,000. Finally, Slocum Gordon & Co LLP raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 20.0% during the 2nd quarter. Slocum Gordon & Co LLP now owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock valued at $233,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.229/share (a ~0.4% increase versus prior quarter), payable June 30 to holders of record June 22; company estimates an aggregate ~$75 million common payout this quarter — supports income-oriented investors. Vistra Declares Dividend on Common Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series C Preferred Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra was listed among the “10 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds,” highlighting its large, diversified generation fleet (gas, nuclear, coal, solar, batteries) — positive for sentiment and potential fund interest. Vistra Corp. (VST) – Among the 10 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan trimmed its price target from $240 to $231 but kept an “overweight” rating — a lower target could temper upside expectations, though the firm remains constructive. Benzinga Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyses and valuation pieces are circulating (coverage of recent share volatility and valuation metrics), drawing investor attention to Vistra’s revenue mix and earnings profile — increases scrutiny but not a clear directional catalyst. Assessing Vistra (VST) Valuation After Recent Share Price Volatility
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks compares Vistra favorably vs. Southern Co., citing its nuclear expansion and valuation edge — useful context for longer-term investors but not an immediate share driver. Vistra or Southern Co.: Which Utility Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-earnings coverage warns Vistra may lack the setup for an earnings beat next week — heightened risk the upcoming report could disappoint and pressure the stock. Vistra Corp. (VST) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week’s Release
• Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch noted Vistra underperformed peers on a recent trading day despite some daily gains — a reminder of relative weakness that can amplify selling if sector momentum fades. Vistra Corp. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

Vistra Stock Down 1.4%

Vistra stock opened at $155.62 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $52.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 71.71, a P/E/G ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.49. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $159.99 and its 200-day simple moving average is $168.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01. Vistra has a 1-year low of $133.73 and a 1-year high of $219.82.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported $2.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.45 by ($0.27). The business had revenue of $4.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.75 billion. Vistra had a net margin of 5.32% and a return on equity of 81.09%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Vistra will post 8.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.229 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 22nd. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s payout ratio is 41.94%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on VST shares. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $208.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Vistra from $236.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 27th. Scotiabank increased their target price on shares of Vistra from $287.00 to $293.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, January 12th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $241.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 target price for the company in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $235.27.

About Vistra

Vistra (NYSE: VST) is an integrated power company that develops, owns and operates electricity generation and retail businesses in the United States. The company’s operations span wholesale power production—through a diversified fleet of thermal and lower‑carbon generation assets—and retail electricity supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Vistra serves organized wholesale markets and competitive retail markets, with a notable presence in Texas and other regional U.S. power markets.

Vistra’s core activities include the ownership and operation of generation facilities, the commercial dispatch and optimization of those assets into wholesale markets, and the sale of electricity and related services to end-use customers through its retail brands.