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

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)’s stock price rose 3.6% during trading on Friday following insider buying activity. The company traded as high as $122.29 and last traded at $122.19. Approximately 2,122,172 shares traded hands during 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 the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $126.75 per share, for a total transaction of $190,125.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 3,467 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $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 at this hyperlink.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Vistra from $161.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 3rd. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Vistra from $151.00 to $191.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 22nd. Bank of America raised 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. Finally, Daiwa Capital Markets initiated coverage on Vistra in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $162.83.

Vistra Stock Performance

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 company has a market capitalization of $42.32 billion, a PE ratio of 23.21, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a 50 day moving average of $155.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.04.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Thursday, March 20th will be paid a $0.2235 dividend. This represents a $0.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.72%. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 20th. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 12.62%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

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

About Vistra

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.