Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vistra Corp. (VST) is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company with a market cap of $29.39 billion. Vistra operates a diverse portfolio of power plants and is known for its innovative approach to energy solutions, including renewable energy and battery storage. The company’s commitment to providing reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy plays a vital role in powering homes, businesses, and industries across the U.S.
VST has significantly outperformed the broader market over the last year. The stock has gained 181.8% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has rallied nearly 27.7%. In 2024, the stock has gained 119.2%, compared to SPX's 18% gains on a YTD basis.
Narrowing the focus, VST also outperformed the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU). The exchange-traded fund has gained 19% on a YTD basis.
Vistra dropped over 2% following reports of insider selling, as an SEC filing revealed that EVP Moore sold $2.79 million worth of shares on Aug. 13. However, the stock rose 6.9% after its Q2 earnings release on Aug 8. The company reaffirmed the 2024 midpoint guidance for ongoing operations adjusted EBITDA at $4.8 billion, excluding any potential impact from the nuclear production tax credit.
For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect VST’s EPS to grow 35.4% to $4.86 on a diluted basis. The company's earnings surprise history is disappointing. It missed the consensus estimate in all four quarters.
Among the nine analysts covering VST stock, the consensus rating is a “Strong Buy.” That’s based on eight “Strong Buy” ratings and one “Moderate Buy.”
This configuration is more bullish than a month ago, with seven analysts suggesting a “Strong Buy.”
On Aug. 23, David Arcaro from Morgan Stanley maintained a “Buy” rating on Vistra, with a price target of $110, which indicates a 30.7% upside from the current levels.
The mean price target of $115.67 represents a 37.4% premium to VST’s current price levels. The Street-high price target of $133 suggests an upside potential of 58%.
On the date of publication, Rashmi Kumari did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.
