Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Down 4.6% – Here’s What Happened

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) was down 4.6% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $125.17 and last traded at $125.76. Approximately 1,717,962 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 7,480,403 shares. The stock had previously closed at $131.81.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on VST. Daiwa America upgraded shares of Vistra to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. Bank of America upgraded Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $164.00 to $152.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 4th. UBS Group increased their price target on Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on Vistra in a report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $120.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Vistra in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 target price on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vistra currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $162.83.

Vistra Stock Down 6.4 %

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 stock has a market capitalization of $41.97 billion, a PE ratio of 23.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $150.42 and its 200-day simple moving average is $139.90.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 20th will be given a dividend of $0.2235 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 20th. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.72%. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.62%.

Insider Transactions at Vistra

In related news, Director John William Pitesa purchased 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 3,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $439,442.25. This represents a 76.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $124.19, for a total transaction of $2,997,449.84. Following the sale, the director now owns 51,063 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,341,513.97. This trade represents a 32.10 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.42% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 616.0% in the 4th quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 179 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Vistra by 56.5% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the last quarter. Founders Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in Vistra in 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.