Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Short Interest Down 22.9% in October

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of October. As of October 15th, there was short interest totalling 10,590,000 shares, a decline of 22.9% from the September 30th total of 13,730,000 shares. Approximately 3.1% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 7,510,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Simplicity Wealth LLC raised its position in shares of Vistra by 3.0% during the 2nd quarter. Simplicity Wealth LLC now owns 3,883 shares of the company's stock worth $334,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. New Century Financial Group LLC grew its stake in Vistra by 4.4% during the 3rd quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC now owns 2,666 shares of the company's stock worth $316,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV increased its position in Vistra by 38.6% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 557 shares of the company's stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the period. Apella Capital LLC lifted its stake in Vistra by 4.9% in the third quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 3,542 shares of the company's stock valued at $444,000 after buying an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 7.2% during the third quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 2,461 shares of the company's stock valued at $292,000 after acquiring an additional 165 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of VST traded down $1.55 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $124.03. The stock had a trading volume of 3,792,453 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,941,031. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.89. The company has a market cap of $43.10 billion, a PE ratio of 76.09 and a beta of 1.10. Vistra has a fifty-two week low of $31.92 and a fifty-two week high of $143.87. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $104.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $91.07.

Vistra (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.59 by ($0.69). The business had revenue of $3.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.04 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 21.05% and a net margin of 4.61%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.03 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Vistra will post 4.73 earnings per share for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 20th were given a dividend of $0.2195 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.71%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 20th. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is currently 53.37%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have commented on VST shares. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $146.00 price objective (up previously from $125.00) on shares of Vistra in a report on Friday, October 4th. BNP Paribas began coverage on Vistra in a research note on Monday, October 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $231.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $178.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on Vistra from $99.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Vistra from $110.00 to $132.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $145.30.

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.