Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is Bridgewater Associates LP’s 8th Largest Position

Bridgewater Associates LP lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) by 58.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 1,773,499 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 657,217 shares during the period. Vistra makes up approximately 1.1% of Bridgewater Associates LP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest holding. Bridgewater Associates LP owned 0.52% of Vistra worth $244,512,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VST. Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Vistra by 56.5% during the 4th quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 180 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 65 shares during the period. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC increased its holdings in shares of Vistra by 616.0% in the fourth quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 179 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 154 shares during the period. Founders Capital Management purchased a new position in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. West Branch Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Vistra during the fourth quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new stake in Vistra in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 90.88% of the company’s stock.

Vistra Stock Performance

NYSE VST opened at $112.37 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.68. Vistra Corp. has a twelve month low of $64.26 and a twelve month high of $199.84. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $132.00 and a 200 day moving average of $141.50. The stock has a market capitalization of $38.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.96, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.21.

Vistra Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 20th were given a dividend of $0.2235 per share. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 20th. This represents a $0.89 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.80%. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.62%.

Insider Activity at Vistra

In other news, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 24,136 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.19, for a total value of $2,997,449.84. Following the sale, the director now owns 51,063 shares in the company, valued at $6,341,513.97. This trade represents a 32.10 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director John William Pitesa purchased 1,500 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 12th. The shares were bought at an average price of $126.75 per share, with a total value of $190,125.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 3,467 shares in the company, valued at approximately $439,442.25. The trade was a 76.26 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.42% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Vistra in a research report on Wednesday, March 5th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $120.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Vistra from $203.00 to $186.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Vistra in a research report on Friday, April 4th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $134.00 target price for the company. UBS Group cut their price target on Vistra from $174.00 to $154.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Evercore ISI started coverage on Vistra in a research note on Tuesday, January 21st. They set an “outperform” rating and a $202.00 price objective for the company. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $159.69.

Vistra 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.