Core Viewpoint - Vistra Corp. is expected to report improved top and bottom-line figures for the fourth quarter of 2024, with significant increases in revenue and earnings per share compared to the previous year [1][4]. Revenue Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is $4.38 billion, reflecting a 42.34% increase from the year-ago figure of $3.08 billion [2][3]. - For the next quarter, the revenue estimate is $4.88 billion, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 59.78% [3]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus estimate for earnings per share is $1.59, indicating a substantial increase of 431.25% from the previous year's earnings [4]. - The earnings estimates for the current year and next year are $19.23 billion and $21.31 billion, respectively, showing a year-over-year growth of 30.12% and 10.81% [3]. Adjusted EBITDA - The consensus estimate for Adjusted EBITDA - Retail is $434.54 million, suggesting a year-over-year decline of 6.2% [8]. - Adjusted EBITDA - Texas is estimated at $302.06 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 31.3% [8]. - Adjusted EBITDA - East is pegged at $638.38 million, reflecting a significant year-over-year increase of 251.6% [8]. Market Performance - Vistra's shares have outperformed the industry, gaining 192.8% over the past year compared to the industry's growth of 24% [11]. - The company is currently trading at a premium with a forward 12-month P/E ratio of 21.75X, compared to the industry average of 14.58X [14]. Strategic Initiatives - Vistra is enhancing its generation capabilities through both organic and inorganic initiatives, which is expected to create synergies and improve performance [17]. - The company’s integrated business model provides a competitive advantage by stabilizing earnings and cash flow against commodity price fluctuations [7][19]. Clean Energy Focus - The demand for clean electricity is rising in Vistra's operational regions, and the company is increasing its clean energy generation capacity through acquisitions and organic growth [19].

Core Viewpoint - Vistra Corp. is anticipated to show significant improvements in both revenue and earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2024, with a report scheduled for February 27, 2024 [1][2]. Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra's fourth-quarter revenues is $4.38 billion, reflecting a 42.34% increase from the previous year [2]. - The estimated earnings per share for the fourth quarter is $1.59, indicating a substantial increase of 431.25% year-over-year [2][3]. - For the current quarter, the high estimate for earnings per share is $2.40, while the low estimate is $1.17 [3]. Earnings Performance - Vistra has surpassed earnings expectations in one of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 7.05% [4][5]. - The company has experienced significant fluctuations in earnings surprises, with the most notable being a 323.39% surprise in the quarter ending September 2024 [5]. Market Position and Valuation - Vistra currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook [8]. - The company's shares have appreciated by 70% over the past six months, outperforming the industry average of 2.1% [15]. Growth Drivers - The increasing demand for clean electricity, particularly from large U.S. data centers and the electrification of the Permian region, is expected to drive load growth for Vistra [11]. - The company has been expanding its residential customer base, which is anticipated to contribute to fresh demand for its services [12]. Shareholder Value - Vistra has executed $4.6 billion in share repurchases since November 2021, which has positively impacted earnings per share by reducing the number of outstanding shares [13]. - The company plans to continue its share buyback program, aiming to repurchase at least $3.25 billion worth of shares between 2024 and 2026 [13]. Operational Strategy - Vistra employs a hedging program to mitigate the impact of market fluctuations, with 100% of its 2024 generation volume hedged [14]. - Despite rising operating costs, including a 36.4% increase in operating expenses, the hedging strategy is expected to secure generation volumes for the fourth quarter [14]. Competitive Advantage - Vistra's integrated business model provides a competitive edge over non-integrated competitors, with ongoing initiatives to enhance generation capabilities [20]. - The integration of Energy Harbor into Vistra's operations is expected to create synergies and improve overall performance [20]. Industry Context - Vistra operates in a region with increasing demand for clean electricity, positioning the company to benefit from this trend through both acquisitions and organic growth [22].

Core Insights - Wall Street analysts anticipate Vistra Corp. (VST) will report quarterly earnings of $1.59 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 431.3% [1] - Expected revenues for the quarter are $4.38 billion, which is a 42.3% increase from the same quarter last year [1] - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised downward by 7.1% in the past 30 days, indicating a reassessment by covering analysts [1][2] Financial Metrics - The consensus estimate for 'Adjusted EBITDA- Retail' is $434.54 million, down from $463 million reported in the same quarter last year [4] - 'Adjusted EBITDA- Texas' is projected to be $302.06 million, compared to $230 million reported in the same quarter last year [4] - 'Adjusted EBITDA- West' is expected to reach $58.82 million, down from $67 million a year ago [5] - 'Adjusted EBITDA- Sunset' is likely to be $51.11 million, compared to $53 million reported in the same quarter last year [5] - 'Adjusted EBITDA- East' is projected at $636.38 million, significantly up from $181 million in the previous year [6] Market Performance - Vistra shares have experienced a return of -21.3% over the past month, contrasting with the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.5% change [6] - With a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), VST is expected to outperform the overall market in the near future [6]

Group 1: Brokerage Recommendations - Vistra Corp. (VST) has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.17, indicating a consensus between Strong Buy and Buy based on 12 brokerage firms' recommendations [2] - Out of the 12 recommendations, 11 are Strong Buy, representing 91.7% of all recommendations [2] - Despite the positive ABR, relying solely on brokerage recommendations may not be advisable as studies show they often fail to guide investors effectively [4][9] Group 2: Limitations of Brokerage Recommendations - Brokerage analysts tend to exhibit a strong positive bias in their ratings due to vested interests, leading to a disproportionate number of Strong Buy recommendations compared to Strong Sell [5][9] - The ABR is calculated solely from brokerage recommendations and may not reflect the actual price movement of stocks [8] - The ABR may not be up-to-date, while the Zacks Rank, which is based on earnings estimate revisions, provides a more timely indicator of future price movements [11] Group 3: Zacks Rank and Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra has increased by 4.3% over the past month to $7, indicating growing optimism among analysts regarding the company's earnings prospects [12] - The recent change in the consensus estimate, along with other factors, has resulted in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for Vistra, suggesting a positive outlook for the stock [13] - The Zacks Rank is a reliable indicator of near-term price performance, driven by earnings estimate revisions, and should be used in conjunction with the ABR for investment decisions [7][10]

On his first day back in office, President Trump declared a national energy emergency, urging all federal agencies to expedite energy infrastructure projects to deal with this ‘crisis’. This Energy Emergency Declaration, allows for the approval and fast tracking ofI am an Asia based long-term dividend investor. I am CPA and Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA). My goal for investing is to create a steady and growing stream of dividends to achieve financial freedom and augment my eventual retirement. ...

Vistra Corp. (VST) ended the recent trading session at $168.39, demonstrating a +0.89% swing from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.67%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.38%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.98%.The company's shares have seen an increase of 0.1% over the last month, not keeping up with the Utilities sector's gain of 1.57% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.07%.Investors will be eagerly watching for the performanc ...

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.While many investors like to look for moment ...

Mr. Mavroudis is a professional portfolio manager specializing in institutional and private portfolios. He focuses on risk management, which is accompanied by in-depth financial market analysis (fundamental, macro and technical) to control the risk undertaken by the portfolios. He invests in all financial instruments globally (stocks, bonds, fx, commodities), restructuring investment portfolios based on prevailing conditions and the needs of each client-investor. Mr. Mavroudis has successfully navigated all ...

When deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock, investors often rely on analyst recommendations. Media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts often influence a stock's price, but are they really important?Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about Vistra Corp. (VST) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.Vistra currently has an average brokerage recommendation (AB ...

Core Article Summary - President Trump announced the 'Stargate' project, a private sector AI Infrastructure initiative, on January 21, 2025, involving collaboration between OpenAI, SoftBank Group, and Oracle [1] Investment Strategy - The company employs a research-driven approach to identify high-conviction stocks with strong growth potential in sectors such as big tech, semiconductors, AI, and healthcare [1] - The strategy includes analyzing both low-risk and selective high-risk investments that have the potential to outperform the market [1] - Each investment idea is supported by thorough research and strategic foresight, aiming to help investors navigate complex markets and achieve strong returns [1] Analyst's Position - The analyst holds beneficial long positions in shares of VST, ORCL, MSFT, and AMZN through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [2]