Vistra (NYSE:VST) Sets New 12-Month High - Here's What Happened

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report)'s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $178.40 and last traded at $173.89, with a volume of 5765868 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $169.17.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VST has been the topic of several research reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $178.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim increased their price objective on Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Monday, October 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $231.00 target price on the stock. Ten analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vistra currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $151.50.

Vistra Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $151.31 and a two-hundred day moving average of $116.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.21 billion, a PE ratio of 31.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.99.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a dividend of $0.221 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. This is a boost from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.52%. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is 16.60%.

Vistra announced that its board has authorized a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In related news, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total value of $2,795,400.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 343,350 shares in the company, valued at $47,990,029.50. The trade was a 5.50 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.16, for a total transaction of $18,878,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 254,932 shares of the company's stock, valued at $41,849,637.12. This trade represents a 31.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 342,100 shares of company stock valued at $55,087,314 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Founders Capital Management purchased a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra in the third quarter valued at $30,000. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the third quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, CVA Family Office LLC increased its position in Vistra by 1,505.9% during the 3rd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 273 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.