KeyBanc Reaffirms Overweight on Vistra (VST) After $4B Cogentrix Acquisition

Core Viewpoint - Vistra Corp. is gaining attention on Wall Street, particularly after its announcement to acquire Cogentrix Energy for an estimated $4 billion, which is expected to enhance its portfolio and financial performance [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - Vistra has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Cogentrix's portfolio, which includes 10 natural gas plants with a total capacity of 5,496 MW across various markets [2]. - The deal values the Cogentrix portfolio at approximately $730 per kW and about 7.25 times the estimated adjusted EBITDA for 2027 [2]. Group 2: Financial Implications - KeyBanc analyst Sophie Karp has reiterated an Overweight rating on Vistra with a price target of $217, highlighting the attractiveness of the acquisition compared to Vistra's existing generation portfolio valued at around $1,700 per kW [1][3]. - The acquisition is projected to deliver mid-single-digit accretion in 2027 and high-single-digit accretion on average from 2027 to 2029 [3].