Vistra (NYSE:VST) Trading 2.7% Higher Following Dividend Announcement

Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) shares traded up 2.7% during trading on Thursday after the company announced a dividend. The stock traded as high as $159.63 and last traded at $157.9050. 3,946,018 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 22% from the average session volume of 5,085,177 shares. The stock had previously closed at $153.79.

The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Investors of record on Monday, June 22nd will be paid a dividend of $0.229 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 22nd. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.6%. Vistra’s payout ratio is currently 41.94%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Vistra from $236.00 to $234.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 27th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $208.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $241.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Vistra from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $205.00 price target for the company in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, Raymond James Financial set a $208.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have assigned a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $235.27.

Vistra Stock Down 1.4%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.01, a current ratio of 0.78 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $159.99 and its 200 day moving average is $168.18. The stock has a market cap of $52.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 71.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.49.

Vistra (NYSE:VST) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 26th. The company reported $2.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.45 by ($0.27). Vistra had a return on equity of 81.09% and a net margin of 5.32%.The business had revenue of $4.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.75 billion. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Vistra Corp. will post 8.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Vistra News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Board declared a quarterly common dividend of $0.229/share (a ~0.4% increase versus prior quarter), payable June 30 to holders of record June 22; company estimates an aggregate ~$75 million common payout this quarter — supports income-oriented investors. Vistra Declares Dividend on Common Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series C Preferred Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Vistra was listed among the “10 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds,” highlighting its large, diversified generation fleet (gas, nuclear, coal, solar, batteries) — positive for sentiment and potential fund interest. Vistra Corp. (VST) – Among the 10 Best Electrical Infrastructure Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds
• Neutral Sentiment: JPMorgan trimmed its price target from $240 to $231 but kept an “overweight” rating — a lower target could temper upside expectations, though the firm remains constructive. Benzinga Coverage
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyses and valuation pieces are circulating (coverage of recent share volatility and valuation metrics), drawing investor attention to Vistra’s revenue mix and earnings profile — increases scrutiny but not a clear directional catalyst. Assessing Vistra (VST) Valuation After Recent Share Price Volatility
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks compares Vistra favorably vs. Southern Co., citing its nuclear expansion and valuation edge — useful context for longer-term investors but not an immediate share driver. Vistra or Southern Co.: Which Utility Stock Looks Stronger in 2026?
• Negative Sentiment: Pre-earnings coverage warns Vistra may lack the setup for an earnings beat next week — heightened risk the upcoming report could disappoint and pressure the stock. Vistra Corp. (VST) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week’s Release
• Negative Sentiment: MarketWatch noted Vistra underperformed peers on a recent trading day despite some daily gains — a reminder of relative weakness that can amplify selling if sector momentum fades. Vistra Corp. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Stephanie Zapata Moore sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.31, for a total value of $1,603,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 114,409 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $18,340,906.79. This represents a 8.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.92% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vistra

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of VST. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Vistra by 3.1% in the third quarter. Bridgewater Advisors Inc. now owns 1,787 shares of the company’s stock valued at $350,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares during the period. Y.D. More Investments Ltd grew its holdings in Vistra by 7.1% during the 3rd quarter. Y.D. More Investments Ltd now owns 916 shares of the company’s stock valued at $168,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Vistra by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Equitable Holdings Inc. now owns 7,045 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,380,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 2.0% during the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 3,275 shares of the company’s stock valued at $642,000 after purchasing an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Effects LLC grew its holdings in Vistra by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Wealth Effects LLC now owns 5,782 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,133,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

About Vistra

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.