Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) Shares Sold by Franklin Resources Inc.

Franklin Resources Inc. cut its holdings in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Free Report) by 0.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,305,416 shares of the company's stock after selling 27,964 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.97% of Vistra worth $455,717,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.19, for a total transaction of $2,997,449.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 51,063 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,341,513.97. The trade was a 32.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director John William Pitesa bought 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $126.75 per share, for a total transaction of $190,125.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,467 shares of the company's stock, valued at $439,442.25. The trade was a 76.26 % increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently issued reports on VST. Daiwa America upgraded Vistra to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Vistra from $203.00 to $186.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 28th. 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. Bank of America upgraded Vistra from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $164.00 to $152.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets assumed coverage on Vistra in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $163.50.

Vistra Stock Performance

Shares of VST traded up $5.01 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $127.25. 5,669,976 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 7,726,030. Vistra Corp. has a 52-week low of $64.26 and a 52-week high of $199.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.28 billion, a PE ratio of 23.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $145.05 and its 200-day simple moving average is $141.35.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were paid a dividend of $0.2235 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 20th. This is a boost from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is 12.62%.

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.