Core Insights - Vistra Corp. (VST) shares have increased by 2% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Utility-Electric Power industry's decline of 4.8% and the Zacks Utilities sector's drop of 3% [1] - The stock's positive performance is attributed to two significant developments: the acquisition of Cogentrix Energy for approximately $4 billion, which adds 5,500 MW of natural gas-fired capacity, and a 20-year power purchase agreement with Meta to supply over 2,600 MW of zero-carbon electricity [1][2][8] Acquisition and Agreements - Vistra has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cogentrix Energy, which includes 10 modern natural gas-fired power plants with a total capacity of about 5,500 MW for a net purchase price of roughly $4 billion [8][9] - The long-term power supply agreement with Meta enhances earnings visibility by securing stable, contracted revenues from a high-quality customer, supporting consistent cash flows and improving asset utilization [7][8] Market Position and Demand - Rising demand for clean power is driven by the growth of AI-powered data centers and the electrification of oilfield operations in the Permian Basin, positioning Vistra to meet increasing commercial and industrial power demand [10] - Vistra's diversified generation capacity of 41,000 MW across various energy sources enables the company to capture long-term growth while playing a significant role in the clean energy transition [10][11] Financial Performance and Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for VST's 2026 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year growth of 64.07% alongside a 34.58% increase in total revenues [12] - Sales estimates for the current year are projected at $18.31 billion, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 6.32%, and for the next year, $24.65 billion, reflecting a 34.58% increase [14] Return on Equity and Shareholder Value - VST's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) stands at 64.04%, significantly higher than the industry average of 10.47%, indicating effective utilization of shareholders' funds [19] - The company continues to enhance shareholder value through a share repurchase program and dividend payments, with a quarterly dividend of 22.7 cents approved for Q4 2025 and a target of $300 million in annual dividends [21][22] Valuation and Investment Considerations - Vistra is currently trading at a premium valuation, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.18X compared to the industry average of 15.36X [24] - The stock's strong performance and growth prospects make it attractive for existing investors, while new investors are advised to monitor for a favorable entry point due to the premium valuation [28]