Weiss Ratings Reaffirms “Buy” Rating for Vistra Amid Analyst Upgrades

Weiss Ratings has reaffirmed a “buy (B-)” rating for Vistra Corp (NYSE: VST), as highlighted in a research report released on Thursday. This endorsement comes as part of a series of recent evaluations from various financial analysts, indicating a generally positive outlook for the company.

Recent Analyst Ratings and Price Targets

On October 15, Cowen initiated coverage on Vistra, assigning a “buy” rating. Following this, BMO Capital Markets raised its price target for Vistra from $229.00 to $236.00, while categorizing the stock as “outperform” in a report dated October 3. Meanwhile, UBS Group increased its price objective from $207.00 to $230.00 and also rated the stock as a “buy” in a note released on July 25.

In a different perspective, Jefferies Financial Group maintained a “hold” rating but adjusted its target price from $241.00 to $230.00 as of September 22. Melius Research has also shown confidence in the company, upgrading Vistra to a “strong-buy” rating on August 20. Currently, the consensus among analysts indicates four have rated the stock as a “strong buy,” twelve as a “buy,” and two have opted for a “hold” rating. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the average rating for Vistra stands at “buy,” with the average price target estimated at $229.93.

Vistra’s Stock Performance and Financial Overview

As of Thursday, shares of Vistra opened at $188.36. The company’s 50-day moving average is $199.50, while its 200-day moving average is $181.69. Vistra’s market capitalization is $63.82 billion, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.04 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has experienced significant fluctuations, with a fifty-two week low of $90.51 and a high of $219.82.

Vistra released its quarterly earnings on August 7, reporting earnings per share of $1.01, which fell short of the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.62. The company generated revenues of $4.25 billion for the quarter, significantly below analyst expectations of $5.15 billion. Vistra reported a net margin of 12.90% and a return on equity of 108.41%. Analysts anticipate that Vistra will achieve an EPS of $7 for the current fiscal year.

In related developments, CEO James A. Burke sold 9,641 shares of Vistra stock on October 29 at an average price of $192.30, amounting to a total transaction value of $1,853,964.30. After this sale, Burke retained 298,967 shares, valued at approximately $57,491,354.10. This transaction, representing a 3.12% reduction in ownership, has been disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Institutional Investor Activity

Vistra has seen several institutional investors adjusting their positions recently. Salomon & Ludwin LLC and Quent Capital LLC each acquired new stakes in the company during the third quarter, valued at about $25,000. Other firms, including Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC and Anfield Capital Management LLC, also reported new positions worth approximately $28,000 and $29,000, respectively.

Currently, institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 90.88% of Vistra’s stock. This strong institutional backing may contribute to the positive sentiment surrounding the company’s future prospects.

Vistra Corp, through its subsidiaries, operates as an integrated retail electricity and power generation company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the United States and the District of Columbia. With its diverse segments including Retail, Texas, East, West, Sunset, and Asset Closure, Vistra remains a key player in the energy sector.