Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Shares Sold by Riposte Capital LLC

Riposte Capital LLC decreased its position in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 24.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 125,000 shares of the company's stock after selling 40,000 shares during the period. Vistra comprises approximately 1.6% of Riposte Capital LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 5th biggest holding. Riposte Capital LLC's holdings in Vistra were worth $14,818,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Empire Life Investments Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at $23,028,000. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at $842,000. Czech National Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 12.4% during the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 69,987 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,296,000 after buying an additional 7,747 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Vistra by 12.4% during the 3rd quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 50,380 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,972,000 after buying an additional 5,575 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Viking Fund Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,185,000. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In other Vistra news, EVP Stephen J. Muscato sold 207,100 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.34, for a total value of $33,413,514.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 318,287 shares in the company, valued at $51,352,424.58. This trade represents a 39.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $164.16, for a total value of $18,878,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 254,932 shares in the company, valued at $41,849,637.12. The trade was a 31.09 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on VST shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $178.00 price target for the company. BNP Paribas started coverage on Vistra in a research report on Monday, October 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $231.00 price target for the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Vistra from $105.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, Vistra currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $149.10.

Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VST traded up $1.13 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $162.44. 1,720,635 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,815,032. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $136.04 and a 200 day moving average of $103.62. Vistra Corp. has a 1 year low of $36.17 and a 1 year high of $168.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Vistra announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to buy up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.221 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.54%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is presently 16.42%.

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.