Alden Global Capital LLC Has $8 Million Stock Holdings in Vistra Corp. $VST

Alden Global Capital LLC cut its stake in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) by 55.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 41,259 shares of the company’s stock after selling 51,455 shares during the quarter. Vistra makes up about 4.9% of Alden Global Capital LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Alden Global Capital LLC’s holdings in Vistra were worth $7,996,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Vistra during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Anfield Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Vistra in the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. City State Bank increased its holdings in shares of Vistra by 210.0% during the second quarter. City State Bank now owns 155 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Vistra by 19,300.0% during the second quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 194 shares of the company’s stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 193 shares during the period. Finally, NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Vistra by 65.9% during the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 214 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the period. 90.88% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Vistra Stock Down 2.5%

VST stock opened at $170.20 on Friday. Vistra Corp. has a 1-year low of $90.51 and a 1-year high of $219.82. The stock has a market cap of $57.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.44, a P/E/G ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.39. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $185.27 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $189.78. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.74.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 7th. The company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 return on equity of 64.04% and a net margin of 6.70%. Analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 7 EPS for the current year.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, December 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.227 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, December 22nd. This represents a $0.91 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. This is a boost from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. Vistra’s payout ratio is currently 32.49%.

Insider Transactions at Vistra

In other news, EVP Carrie Lee Kirby sold 58,275 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total value of $10,183,556.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 218,239 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $38,137,265.25. The trade was a 21.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Scott A. Hudson sold 56,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred 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 transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 306,600 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $51,772,476. This trade represents a 15.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 784,299 shares of company stock worth $155,981,703. 1.42% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Daiwa Capital Markets raised shares of Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $250.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, September 17th. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on shares of Vistra in a report on Monday, October 27th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $238.00 target price on the stock. Scotiabank assumed coverage on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, September 22nd. They issued a “sector outperform” rating and a $256.00 price target on the stock. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Vistra from $237.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 7th. Finally, TD Cowen initiated coverage on Vistra in a research note on Thursday, October 16th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $233.20.

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.