Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Up 3.5% - Time to Buy?

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST - Get Free Report) traded up 3.5% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $178.08 and last traded at $176.50. 2,775,596 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 59% from the average session volume of 6,755,439 shares. The stock had previously closed at $170.51.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on VST shares. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 29th. BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, October 14th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $231.00 price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Vistra from $99.00 to $137.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Guggenheim raised their target price on Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set an "overweight" rating and a $178.00 price target on the stock. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $151.50.

Vistra Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The company has a market capitalization of $57.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 1.21. The business's fifty day moving average price is $149.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $115.43.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th were paid a $0.221 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, December 20th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.52%. This is a positive change from Vistra's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra's dividend payout ratio is currently 16.42%.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase program on Thursday, November 7th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the company to reacquire up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally an indication that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total transaction of $2,795,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 343,350 shares in the company, valued at $47,990,029.50. This represents a 5.50 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Stephen J. Muscato sold 207,100 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.34, for a total value of $33,413,514.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 318,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $51,352,424.58. The trade was a 39.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 342,100 shares of company stock valued at $55,087,314. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Founders Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. purchased a new position in Vistra during the third quarter valued at $30,000. Mark Sheptoff Financial Planning LLC bought a new stake in Vistra in the third quarter worth $30,000. CVA Family Office LLC boosted its holdings in Vistra by 1,505.9% in the third quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 273 shares of the company's stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 256 shares in the last quarter. Finally, RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Vistra in the third quarter worth $36,000. 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.