Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Price Up 3.6% After Insider Buying Activity

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares were up 3.6% during trading on Friday following insider buying activity. The stock traded as high as $122.29 and last traded at $122.19. Approximately 2,122,172 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 72% from the average daily volume of 7,496,821 shares. The stock had previously closed at $118.00.

Specifically, Director John William Pitesa acquired 1,500 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 3,467 shares in the company, valued at approximately $439,442.25. This trade represents a 76.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on VST. UBS Group increased their price target on Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. Bank of America raised shares of Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $164.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Tuesday, March 4th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective on shares of Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. They set an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 target price on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $162.83.

Vistra Price Performance

The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $155.20 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $137.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, March 20th will be given a $0.2235 dividend. 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. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 20th. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio is 12.62%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Centaurus Financial Inc. raised its position in shares of Vistra by 213.4% during the 4th quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 6,479 shares of the company’s stock valued at $893,000 after buying an additional 4,412 shares in the last quarter. Anchor Pointe Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at $271,000. IronOak Wealth LLC. purchased a new stake in Vistra during the fourth quarter valued at about $862,000. Castle Rock Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Vistra during the fourth quarter worth about $562,000. Finally, Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter worth about $216,000. 90.88% of the stock is currently 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.