Franklin Resources Inc. Reduces Holdings in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)

Franklin Resources Inc. lowered its position in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) by 0.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,305,416 shares of the company’s stock after selling 27,964 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in Vistra were worth $455,717,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in VST. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth approximately $409,087,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth approximately $237,441,000. Appaloosa LP increased its holdings in shares of Vistra by 112.5% in the 4th quarter. Appaloosa LP now owns 2,700,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $372,249,000 after acquiring an additional 1,429,612 shares during the period. State Street Corp raised its position in Vistra by 6.8% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 16,355,255 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,938,752,000 after purchasing an additional 1,037,402 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC boosted its stake in Vistra by 36.0% during the 3rd quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 3,781,908 shares of the company’s stock worth $448,320,000 after purchasing an additional 1,000,307 shares during the period. 90.88% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Vistra Trading Down 1.3 %

Shares of VST stock opened at $117.53 on Tuesday. Vistra Corp. has a 1-year low of $64.26 and a 1-year high of $199.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.99. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $146.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $141.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.98 billion, a PE ratio of 21.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were issued a $0.2235 dividend. This represents a $0.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 20th. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 12.62%.

Insider Activity at Vistra

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 price objective on the stock. Daiwa America raised Vistra to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. Finally, Bank of America raised Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $164.00 to $152.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $163.50.

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.