Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Down 0.5% - Here's Why

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) was down 0.5% during trading on Friday . The company traded as low as $114.00 and last traded at $115.26. Approximately 4,836,332 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 39% from the average daily volume of 7,892,088 shares. The stock had previously closed at $115.87.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VST has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Bank of America raised Vistra from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $164.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on Vistra in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $202.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group reduced their target price on Vistra from $174.00 to $154.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on Vistra in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $166.17.

Vistra Trading Up 5.8 %

The company has a market capitalization of $38.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.02, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $126.60 and a 200-day moving average of $141.03. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given a dividend of $0.2235 per share. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. This is an increase from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 20th. Vistra's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.62%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Vistra news, Director John William Pitesa bought 1,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 3,467 shares of the company's stock, valued at $439,442.25. This trade represents a 76.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the transaction, the director now owns 51,063 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,341,513.97. The trade was a 32.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in VST. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 56.5% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC raised its stake in Vistra by 616.0% during the fourth quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 179 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Founders Capital Management bought a new position in Vistra during the fourth quarter valued at $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by 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.