Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Up 1.9% - Here's Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) shares traded up 1.9% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $147.60 and last traded at $144.80. 1,440,513 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 6,930,551 shares. The stock had previously closed at $142.16.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. BNP Paribas began 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. Guggenheim increased their price target on shares of Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. UBS Group cut their target price on Vistra from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Vistra in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $178.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $145.40.

Vistra Trading Down 0.4 %

The business has a 50-day moving average of $115.58 and a 200 day moving average of $96.17. The stock has a market cap of $48.17 billion, a PE ratio of 27.01 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be issued a dividend of $0.221 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.62%. Vistra's payout ratio is 16.42%.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to reacquire up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VST. Empire Life Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the third quarter worth approximately $23,028,000. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra in the 3rd quarter valued at $842,000. Czech National Bank grew its stake 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 during the period. Viking Fund Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter worth $1,185,000. Finally, Atria Investments Inc purchased a new position in shares of Vistra in the 1st quarter worth $1,675,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

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