During the third quarter, Hartline Investment Corp initiated a stake in Vistra Corp., acquiring 27,974 shares valued at approximately 5.48 million. Smaller new positions were also taken by Salomon & Ludwin LLC and Quent Capital LLC (each around 25,000), Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC (28,000) and Anfield Capital Management LLC (29,000). City State Bank more than doubled its holding, increasing by 210% to 155 shares. Collectively, hedge funds and other institutional investors now hold 90.88% of Vistra’s equity.

Evercore ISI raised its target from 237.00 to 243.00 and maintained an outperform rating on November 7. BMO Capital Markets lifted its objective from 230.00 to 244.00 with an outperform recommendation on January 12. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight stance with a 228.00 target on December 16. Cowen and TD Cowen both initiated coverage in mid-October, assigning buy ratings and setting targets at 250.00. In total, four analysts rate the stock as Strong Buy, twelve as Buy and three as Hold. The consensus rating is Buy with an average target of 239.40.

Executive vice presidents Carrie Lee Kirby and Scott A. Hudson each reduced their holdings in mid-November. Kirby sold 58,275 shares for a total proceeds of 10.18 million, while Hudson divested 56,000 shares for 9.46 million. Over the past three months, insiders have sold 278,995 shares, generating approximately 50.76 million in proceeds. Corporate insiders now own 1.42% of Vistra’s outstanding shares.

In its latest quarterly report, Vistra posted earnings per share of 1.75, missing consensus by 0.03, on revenue of 4.97 billion versus expectations of 6.60 billion. The company achieved a net margin of 6.7% and a return on equity of 64.04%. Vistra declared a quarterly dividend of 0.227, up from 0.23, equating to an annualized payout of 0.91 and a yield of 0.5%. The payout ratio stands at 32.49%.