Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Shares Sold by Clearbridge Investments LLC

Clearbridge Investments LLC lessened its stake in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 42.7% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,150,834 shares of the company's stock after selling 857,381 shares during the quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC owned approximately 0.34% of Vistra worth $158,665,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Vistra by 56.5% in the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC boosted its position in Vistra by 616.0% during the fourth quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 179 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management purchased a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter worth $28,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vistra Stock Performance

NYSE VST traded down $15.19 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $112.00. 6,015,647 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,063,250. Vistra Corp. has a 12-month low of $64.26 and a 12-month high of $199.84. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $143.86 and a 200 day moving average of $141.25. The company has a market cap of $38.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68.

Remove Ads

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given a $0.2235 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 20th. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.80%. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is currently 12.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director John William Pitesa purchased 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $126.75 per share, for a total transaction of $190,125.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,467 shares in the company, valued at $439,442.25. This represents a 76.26 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.19, for a total value of $2,997,449.84. Following the sale, the director now owns 51,063 shares in the company, valued at $6,341,513.97. This trade represents a 32.10 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 3rd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Bank of America upgraded Vistra from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and cut their price objective for the company from $164.00 to $152.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Evercore ISI started coverage on Vistra in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. They set an "outperform" rating and a $202.00 target price for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $163.50.

Vistra Company 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.