Vistra (NYSE:VST) Shares Up 2.4% on Insider Buying Activity

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report)'s stock price rose 2.4% during mid-day trading on Monday following insider buying activity. The stock traded as high as $128.18 and last traded at $127.45. Approximately 1,906,823 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 75% from the average daily volume of 7,492,145 shares. The stock had previously closed at $124.46.

Specifically, Director John William Pitesa acquired 1,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,467 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $439,442.25. This represents a 76.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VST has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Daiwa America raised shares of Vistra to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $202.00 price target for the company. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $162.83.

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Vistra Price Performance

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 company's 50 day moving average price is $153.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $137.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.68, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.2235 per share. This is a boost from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.68%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 20th. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is 12.62%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Lionsbridge Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $277,000. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $231,000. Retirement Systems of Alabama boosted its stake in Vistra by 9.6% in the third quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 78,965 shares of the company's stock valued at $9,361,000 after acquiring an additional 6,920 shares during the last quarter. First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP bought a new position in Vistra in the third quarter valued at approximately $17,781,000. Finally, Legal Advantage Investments Inc. bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $565,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.