Empowered Funds LLC Raises Stock Holdings in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)

Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 174.9% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 142,165 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 90,445 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC's holdings in Vistra were worth $16,852,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Forum Financial Management LP boosted its position in Vistra by 0.7% during the 3rd quarter. Forum Financial Management LP now owns 11,527 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,366,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Umpqua Bank boosted its position in shares of Vistra by 2.2% during the third quarter. Umpqua Bank now owns 3,780 shares of the company's stock valued at $448,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Vistra by 3.0% in the third quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,809 shares of the company's stock worth $333,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Interchange Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in Vistra by 4.2% in the third quarter. Interchange Capital Partners LLC now owns 2,710 shares of the company's stock worth $321,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Simplicity Wealth LLC lifted its position in Vistra by 3.0% during the second quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 3,883 shares of the company's stock valued at $334,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Vistra Stock Performance

Vistra stock traded up $3.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $142.23. 3,559,260 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,910,338. The business's 50-day moving average is $118.14 and its 200-day moving average is $96.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.39 billion, a PE ratio of 26.46 and a beta of 1.09. Vistra Corp. has a 12-month low of $34.25 and a 12-month high of $149.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Vistra announced that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, November 7th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the company to purchase up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a dividend of $0.221 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.62%. Vistra's payout ratio is 16.42%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently issued reports on VST. 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 note on Tuesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $178.00 target price for the company. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on Vistra from $99.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Vistra from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Vistra from $110.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $145.40.

Vistra Profile

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.