Vistra (NYSE:VST) Shares Up 0.4% - Here's What Happened

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) shares were up 0.4% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $172.77 and last traded at $168.40. Approximately 1,677,839 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 8,974,882 shares. The stock had previously closed at $167.66.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently weighed in on VST. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Vistra in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $202.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America began coverage on Vistra in a research report on Monday, January 27th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $206.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $171.64.

Vistra Stock Down 7.8 %

The business's fifty day moving average price is $160.08 and its 200 day moving average price is $131.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.21 billion, a PE ratio of 28.08, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.22.

Vistra announced that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to repurchase up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are typically a sign that the company's board believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of the 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 254,932 shares of the company's stock, valued at $41,849,637.12. This represents a 31.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total transaction of $2,795,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 343,350 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $47,990,029.50. This trade represents a 5.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.42% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Avior Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Vistra by 56.5% in the fourth quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC grew its position in shares of Vistra by 616.0% in 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 during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other 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.