Vistra (NYSE:VST) Shares Gap Down – Here’s What Happened

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares gapped down prior to trading on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $191.11, but opened at $154.09. Vistra shares last traded at $144.52, with a volume of 8,874,044 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on VST shares. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. UBS Group upped their price objective on shares of Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $105.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 3rd. Evercore ISI initiated coverage on Vistra in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 price target on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas initiated coverage on Vistra in a research note on Monday, October 14th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $231.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $171.64.

Vistra Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $155.89 and a 200-day moving average of $121.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $50.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.87, a PEG ratio of 1.77 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 (NYSE:VST) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported $5.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.24 by $4.01. Vistra had a net margin of 12.51% and a return on equity of 57.63%. The firm had revenue of $6.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.96 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.25 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Vistra Corp. will post 4.48 EPS for the current year.

Vistra announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a share repurchase plan on Thursday, November 7th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 2.1% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often an indication that the company’s management believes its shares are undervalued.

Insider Transactions at Vistra

In other news, EVP Stephen J. Muscato sold 207,100 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $51,352,424.58. This trade represents a 39.42 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 20,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.77, for a total value of $2,795,400.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 343,350 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $47,990,029.50. This trade represents a 5.50 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 342,100 shares of company stock worth $55,087,314 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 1.42% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Vistra

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA bought a new stake in Vistra during the fourth quarter valued at about $28,000. Savant Capital LLC grew its position in shares of Vistra by 10.7% during the fourth quarter. Savant Capital LLC now owns 4,058 shares of the company’s stock worth $559,000 after purchasing an additional 393 shares in the last quarter. Burns Matteson Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Vistra during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its holdings in Vistra by 41.9% in the 4th quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,915 shares of the company’s stock worth $264,000 after purchasing an additional 565 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stephens Inc. AR boosted its stake in Vistra by 17.0% in the 4th quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 4,765 shares of the company’s stock worth $657,000 after purchasing an additional 691 shares during the period. 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.