Eventide Asset Management LLC Acquires 182,585 Shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST)

Eventide Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) by 37.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 676,388 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 182,585 shares during the period. Vistra comprises about 1.4% of Eventide Asset Management LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Eventide Asset Management LLC owned 0.20% of Vistra worth $80,179,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Redwood Wealth Management Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the 2nd quarter valued at $26,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in shares of Vistra during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. CVA Family Office LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 1,505.9% in the 3rd quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 273 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. EdgeRock Capital LLC bought a new stake in Vistra in the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, RPg Family Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in Vistra in the 3rd quarter worth $36,000. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Vistra Trading Down 5.0 %

NYSE:VST opened at $154.52 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $132.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $101.77. Vistra Corp. has a 12 month low of $34.88 and a 12 month high of $168.67. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. The stock has a market cap of $52.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 1.09.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Friday, December 20th will be given a dividend of $0.221 per share. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.57%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 20th. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.42%.

Vistra declared that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock repurchase program on Thursday, November 7th that permits the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to purchase up to 2.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically a sign that the company’s board believes its shares are undervalued.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on VST shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $99.00 to $137.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 24th. Guggenheim raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $133.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, October 14th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $231.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $135.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 22nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Vistra from $146.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Vistra presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $149.10.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In related news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 115,000 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.16, for a total transaction of $18,878,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 254,932 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $41,849,637.12. This trade represents a 31.09 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Stephen J. Muscato sold 207,100 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $161.34, for a total transaction of $33,413,514.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

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.