Vistra (NYSE:VST) Stock Keeps “Outperform” Rating at Sanford C. Bernstein

Vistra (NYSE:VST)‘s stock had its “outperform” rating reiterated by analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, MarketBeat.com reports. They currently have a $181.00 price target on the stock. Sanford C. Bernstein’s price target would indicate a potential upside of 29.34% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Weiss Ratings downgraded Vistra from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Vistra from $212.00 to $227.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, August 21st. Scotiabank increased their price target on Vistra from $293.00 to $298.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 15th. BNP Paribas Exane set a $255.00 price target on Vistra in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price target on Vistra from $222.00 to $221.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, August 19th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vistra presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $219.33.

Vistra Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of VST traded up $0.19 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $139.94. The company had a trading volume of 12,499,747 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,924,116. Vistra has a 1-year low of $132.66 and a 1-year high of $217.10. The stock has a market cap of $46.97 billion, a PE ratio of 23.64 and a beta of 1.38. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $143.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $151.40. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.87.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 7th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.61 by ($0.85). Vistra had a return on equity of 108.68% and a net margin of 11.55%.The company had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.46 billion. Research analysts forecast that Vistra will post 9.04 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 44,444 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $151.82, for a total value of $6,747,488.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 331,137 shares in the company, valued at approximately $50,273,219.34. This trade represents a 11.83% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO James Burke acquired 4,465 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 1st. The stock was bought at an average price of $135.25 per share, with a total value of $603,891.25. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,146,352 shares in the company, valued at approximately $155,044,108. This trade represents a 0.39% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Premier Financial Group acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Stonehage Fleming Financial Services Holdings Ltd purchased a new stake in Vistra during the second quarter worth approximately $37,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in Vistra during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. lifted its stake in Vistra by 141.2% during the first quarter. Brown Lisle Cummings Inc. now owns 246 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Vistra by 46.6% during the first quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 302 shares of the company’s stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The reported loan would provide substantial financial support for Vistra’s nuclear expansion plans and may improve the long-term earnings outlook. The report is not yet confirmed as finalized. Trump administration reportedly prepares $4B federal loan to expand Vistra’s nuclear capacity
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment remains supportive. Siebert Williams Shank initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $202 price target, implying significant upside from recent levels. Siebert Williams Shank initiates coverage of Vistra
• Positive Sentiment: Bernstein reaffirmed its positive view, maintaining an Outperform rating and an $181 target. Analysts have pointed to a wide gap between Vistra’s depressed share price and their longer-term valuation estimates. Bernstein reaffirms Vistra outperform rating
• Positive Sentiment: Investor attention was also supported by news that Peter Thiel’s investment fund added Vistra to its portfolio, with Vistra and Amazon representing 42% of the fund’s reported holdings. Peter Thiel’s fund adds Vistra

About Vistra

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is an integrated energy company headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company operates electricity generation facilities and provides electricity and related energy services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Its portfolio includes natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage assets.

Vistra also operates a retail electricity business that offers power plans, renewable energy options, and energy-management services. Its retail brands include TXU Energy, Homefield Energy, Dynegy, and Ambit Energy, serving customers in competitive electricity markets across the United States.