Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Falls 6.7% Following Analyst Downgrade

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares fell 6.7% during trading on Wednesday after Zacks Research downgraded the stock from a hold rating to a strong sell rating. The stock traded as low as $149.66 and last traded at $151.5330. Approximately 7,219,586 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 41% from the average session volume of 5,123,037 shares. The stock had previously closed at $162.36.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on VST. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce assumed coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Thursday. They set an “outperform” rating and a $201.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Vistra from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Vistra from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $212.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Finally, BNP Paribas Exane set a $255.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a research note on Wednesday, August 19th. Sixteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $216.74.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CEO James A. Burke acquired 4,465 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was acquired at an average price of $135.25 per share, for a total transaction of $603,891.25. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 1,146,352 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $155,044,108. This represents a 0.39% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, EVP Scott Hudson sold 22,222 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.14, for a total transaction of $3,558,631.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 308,915 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $49,469,648.10. The trade was a 6.71% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Key Stories Impacting Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The Department of Energy reportedly approved a $4.2 billion loan to help Vistra modernize its generation fleet, expand capacity and serve rising electricity demand in major data-center markets. The financing strengthens the company’s ability to benefit from the AI-related power buildout. Vistra Stock Surged Following Its $4.2 Billion Federal Loan
• Positive Sentiment: Investors continue to view Vistra as an AI data-center electricity supplier, with strong power demand in the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Texas supporting the company’s long-term earnings case. The company was also highlighted in articles discussing prominent investor portfolios, increasing attention around the stock. President Trump and Nancy Pelosi’s AI Data Center Stock Pick: Vistra
• Neutral Sentiment: Vistra announced the redemption of all outstanding Series A preferred stock for approximately $1.0 billion. The move simplifies the capital structure but uses cash and does not directly change the company’s operating outlook. Vistra Announces Redemption of All Outstanding Series A Preferred Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Some analysis considers Vistra fairly valued in the near term, although continued nuclear expansion could offer substantial long-term upside. Comparisons with Constellation Energy suggest Vistra may lack a near-term catalyst despite its longer-term growth potential. Why Constellation Energy Has a Near-Term Edge Over Vistra
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks Research downgraded Vistra from “hold” to “strong sell,” adding pressure to sentiment. The downgrade follows Vistra’s latest reported quarterly earnings miss, in which EPS and revenue came in below consensus expectations. Vistra Corp. Surpasses Market Returns: Some Facts Worth Knowing

Institutional Trading of Vistra

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Premier Financial Group acquired a new position in shares of Vistra in the 2nd quarter valued at $34,000. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd purchased a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $39,000. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vistra by 141.2% in the 1st quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 246 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the period. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Vistra by 46.6% in the 1st quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 302 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the period. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vistra Trading Down 1.5%

The firm has a market cap of $50.99 billion, a PE ratio of 25.71 and a beta of 1.38. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $144.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $151.28. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last posted its quarterly 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). Vistra had a net margin of 11.55% and a return on equity of 108.68%. The business had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Vistra Corp. will post 9.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 21st were given a dividend of $0.23 per share. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, September 21st. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.2290. Vistra’s payout ratio is presently 15.54%.

About Vistra

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is an integrated energy company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company operates electricity generation facilities and provides electricity and related energy services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage assets.

Vistra also operates a retail electricity business that offers power plans, renewable energy options, and energy-management services. Its retail brands include TXU Energy, Homefield Energy, Dynegy, and Ambit Energy, serving customers in competitive electricity markets across the United States.