Zacks Research Downgrades Vistra (NYSE:VST) to Hold

Vistra (NYSE:VST) was downgraded by investment analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Seaport Research Partners restated a “buy” rating and set a $230.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, June 15th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $190.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research note on Thursday, May 21st. UBS Group cut their price target on Vistra from $233.00 to $227.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. BNP Paribas Exane set a $255.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Vistra from $208.00 to $212.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have given a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $226.00.

Vistra Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NYSE VST opened at $142.44 on Tuesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $154.10 and a 200 day simple moving average of $156.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a quick ratio of 0.87. Vistra has a 1 year low of $132.66 and a 1 year high of $219.82. The firm has a market cap of $47.81 billion, a PE ratio of 24.06 and a beta of 1.41.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last announced its earnings results on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.61 by ($0.85). The company had revenue of $4.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 108.68% and a net margin of 11.55%. On average, research analysts forecast that Vistra will post 9.23 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Vistra news, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 244 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total value of $37,332.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 53,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,109,918. This trade represents a 0.46% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $4,000,000.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 232,200 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $37,152,000. The trade was a 9.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last three months, insiders have sold 41,588 shares of company stock worth $6,739,227. Company insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. bought a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Strive Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 74.8% in the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 215 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Vistra Company Profile

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.