Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading Down 8.8% – Here’s What Happened

Shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) were down 8.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $153.54 and last traded at $154.6350. Approximately 9,388,200 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 55% from the average daily volume of 6,043,391 shares. The stock had previously closed at $169.53.

Key Stories Impacting Vistra

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Big acquisition expands generation footprint — Vistra agreed to buy Cogentrix Energy for roughly $4.7 billion, adding ~5,500 MW of modern natural‑gas capacity and expanding supply to about 50,000 MW; management said the deal is expected to be mid‑single‑digit accretive in 2027 and high single‑digit accretive on average through 2027–2029. Vistra Adds to its Industry-Leading Generation Portfolio with Acquisition of Cogentrix
• Positive Sentiment: Investor enthusiasm and headlines pushed the stock higher after the deal — multiple outlets reported a strong market reaction to the Cogentrix announcement, citing the strategic fit for data‑center and reliability demand. Vistra Stock Jumps After $4 Billion Power Deal Targets AI Data Centers
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support and upgrades — Wells Fargo and other analysts published bullish commentary and positive expectations after the transaction, helping sentiment. Vistra Energy (VST) Receives a Buy from Wells Fargo
• Neutral Sentiment: Sector tailwind from data‑center demand — Coverage of peers (eg. Constellation) highlights rising demand for reliable dispatchable power from AI/data centers, which supports Vistra’s strategic rationale for buying generation. Constellation Energy Stock: Why Nuclear Is the New Tech Trade
• Neutral Sentiment: Stock is trending in retail and financial media — increased search and coverage (Zacks, Tokenist, Benzinga, Schaeffer’s) is amplifying volatility but is not a direct fundamental change. Vistra Corp. (VST) Is a Trending Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and leverage concerns are pressuring the stock after the rally — Vistra’s P/E is elevated and its reported debt levels are high; combined with a recent quarterly revenue miss, investors are taking profits and re‑rating risk. Vistra Corp. (VST) Stock Drops Despite Market Gains

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $250.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, September 17th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Vistra in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating and set a $230.00 target price (down from $241.00) on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Vistra from $245.00 to $230.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Vistra from $249.00 to $233.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vistra currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $231.40.

Vistra Price Performance

The company has a 50-day moving average of $172.99 and a 200-day moving average of $189.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a current ratio of 0.99. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.41.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.78 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $4.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.60 billion. Vistra had a net margin of 6.70% and a return on equity of 64.04%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.227 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $0.91 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 32.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Vistra news, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $168.86, for a total transaction of $9,456,160.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 306,600 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $51,772,476. This trade represents a 15.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 58,275 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Friday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total transaction of $10,183,556.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 218,239 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $38,137,265.25. This trade represents a 21.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 448,605 shares of company stock worth $85,908,527. Company insiders own 1.42% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of VST. Salomon & Ludwin LLC bought a new position in Vistra in the 3rd quarter valued at about $25,000. Quent Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vistra during the third quarter worth $25,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the second quarter worth $28,000. Archer Investment Corp lifted its stake in shares of Vistra by 2,700.0% in the 3rd quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 140 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 135 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinpoint Asset Management Singapore Pte. Ltd. bought a new position in Vistra in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Vistra Company Profile

Vistra (NYSE: VST) is an integrated power company that develops, owns and operates electricity generation and retail businesses in the United States. The company’s operations span wholesale power production—through a diversified fleet of thermal and lower‑carbon generation assets—and retail electricity supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Vistra serves organized wholesale markets and competitive retail markets, with a notable presence in Texas and other regional U.S. power markets.

Vistra’s core activities include the ownership and operation of generation facilities, the commercial dispatch and optimization of those assets into wholesale markets, and the sale of electricity and related services to end-use customers through its retail brands.