Vistra (NYSE:VST) Shares Down 0.3% – Time to Sell?

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)’s stock price fell 0.3% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $139.21 and last traded at $141.75. 935,896 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 86% from the average session volume of 6,915,132 shares. The stock had previously closed at $142.12.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VST has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 29th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Vistra from $110.00 to $132.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, September 23rd. UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Vistra from $157.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $178.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Guggenheim upped 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. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $145.40.

Vistra Stock Down 0.6 %

The firm’s fifty day moving average is $116.89 and its 200-day moving average is $96.49. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.45 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.88.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.221 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.63%. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio is presently 16.42%.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the company to purchase up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback programs are typically a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Trading of Vistra

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VST. Redwood Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the third quarter valued at $30,000. New Covenant Trust Company N.A. bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the first quarter worth about $32,000. CVA Family Office LLC grew its position in shares of Vistra by 1,505.9% during 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 during the last quarter. Finally, EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

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.