Artificial intelligence is creating a problem few investors were talking about just a year ago: the U.S. may not have enough reliable electricity to support the next wave of data centers without driving up energy costs for everyone else.
That challenge increasingly points to one solution. Nuclear power can provide around-the-clock electricity without the carbon emissions of natural gas, making it an ideal match for AI’s insatiable appetite for power. But while the economics look compelling, there’s one obstacle that could determine whether nuclear becomes AI’s energy backbone or remains a niche solution: where these projects get built.
Looming Natural Gas Crisis Makes Nuclear More Attractive Matthew Smith of Chronometer Partners spent 18 months building a detailed model of the U.S. natural gas system, tracking everything from production wells and pipelines to underground storage. His conclusion, shared on a recent episode of the Invest Like the Best podcast, is sobering.
As liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports continue climbing and AI data centers dramatically increase electricity demand, the U.S. could begin drawing down its natural gas storage by mid-to-late 2028. By around 2030, the country’s traditional inventory cushion could be largely depleted, leaving consumers more exposed to price spikes. If gas prices surge, electricity prices are likely to follow.
Nuclear power offers a solution. Existing reactors already provide dependable, carbon-free baseload power, and once operating, production costs are generally well below those of building new gas-fired plants. Restarting retired reactors and deploying small modular reactors (SMRs) could help absorb AI’s rapidly growing electricity demand before it translates into higher utility bills for households.
Amazon‘s (NASDAQ:AMZN | AMZN Price Prediction) data center campus sits alongside Talen Energy‘s (NASDAQ:TLN) Susquehanna nuclear plant. Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has signed a 20-year agreement to purchase electricity from the restarted Three Mile Island Unit 1, while Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) has signed multi-gigawatt agreements tied to Vistra‘s (NYSE:VST) Ohio nuclear facilities and future Oklo (NASDAQ:OKLO) SMRs.
By sourcing power directly from nuclear facilities, these companies can reduce their dependence on the broader electric grid and limit the impact on residential ratepayers.
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
Gallup’s survey found 53% of Americans still oppose having a nuclear plant in their own community. Data center opposition is even stronger. Emerson College found 63% of people opposed data centers being built nearby — up sharply from 42% just six months earlier. Gallup puts it even higher at 71%.
And data centers themselves face growing backlash. New York just recently imposed a one-year moratorium on building new ones. Communities often support AI, clean energy, and economic growth in principle, but only if it’s in someone else’s backyard.
Geography Could Decide the Winners The good news is that there is a way forward. Expanding nuclear generation at existing reactor sites largely avoids the debate over whether nuclear belongs in a community. Residents have already accepted the technology and frequently value the jobs and tax revenue these facilities provide. Surveys also suggest between 70% and 86% of nearby residents support adding SMRs at existing nuclear sites.
Unfortunately, data centers aren’t typically built where nuclear plants already exist. Developers prioritize inexpensive land, abundant fiber connectivity, water access, and generous tax incentives. That’s why Northern Virginia, Texas, Arizona, and other emerging data-center hubs continue attracting the majority of new investment despite having limited nearby nuclear capacity.
As a result, much of AI’s growing electricity demand still flows through the broader power grid, where natural gas remains the primary balancing fuel.
Key Takeaway If Smith’s model proves accurate, natural gas markets could become significantly tighter by the end of the decade as AI demand collides with rising LNG exports. Nuclear power remains one of the most practical sources of reliable, carbon-free electricity capable of offsetting that pressure.
But investors should focus on companies expanding or restarting nuclear generation at existing sites, where public acceptance is strongest, rather than betting on entirely new nuclear or data-center developments that may face years of local resistance.
Don't wait: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just revealed his top 10 AI stocks. See the full list FREE now.
It was a big day for nuclear power in the U.S. as the Trump Administration unveiled the recipients of 278 research projects being funded through the Department of Energy’s (DoE) Genesis Mission on Wednesday.
The Prometheus project, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) for nuclear development, was a big winner, receiving a Phase II award of $60 million over three years. It’s one of the biggest investments in decades in cutting-edge nuclear technologies.
The major partners of Project Prometheus include four of the DoE’s 17 National Laboratories: Idaho, Oak Ridge, Argonne, and Sandia. Major research universities, including North Carolina State and Penn State, are also involved.
But perhaps the biggest winners are the nuclear companies chosen to participate in the project, and their investors. Here’s who’s been chosen, and what it means for their shareholders.
Image Source: Official White House Photo by Molly Riley
The heavyweightsThe biggest partners in Prometheus are the two companies leading the initiative with the Idaho National Laboratory, Nvidia (NVDA -1.56%), and Amazon’s (AMZN -4.50%) Amazon Web Services (AWS). AI hyperscaler Microsoft (MSFT -2.13%) is also on board as a partner.
But the nuclear companies taking part include X-Energy (XE -3.22%), which has signed on as a Tier 1 partner with board of directors representation, committing $10 million in financial support as well as the use of its Xe-100 high-temperature, gas-cooled small modular reactor (SMR), tri-structural isotopic TRISO-X particle fuel designs, and other design and fabrication data.
Today's Change
(
-3.22
%) $
-0.53
Current Price
$
15.92
X-Energy believes that participation in the Prometheus project will “accelerate licensing, manufacturing, construction, and operation across a growing commercial project portfolio.”
Although it’s not a Tier 1 partner, start-up Oklo (OKLO -1.12%), which is focused on designing and building a sodium-cooled fast reactor SMR called the Aurora Powerhouse, is also a Prometheus partner. The company is working on a strategic partnership project to integrate the Prometheus AI platform into its own Multiphysics design and analysis infrastructure. The integration is expected to streamline engineering workflows and support the development of Pluto, Oklo’s reactor system designed for plutonium fuels.
Start-up nuclear fuel company Standard Nuclear (STDN -9.02%) is also a Prometheus partner, and advertises itself as “the only U.S. company with industrial-scale TRISO manufacturing facilities to date.”
Nonpublic nuclear companies like TerraPower, Westinghouse Electric, and Aalo Atomics are also involved as partners.
It’s worth noting that this Prometheus AI project is unrelated to the “Prometheus AI supercluster,” a computing system that Meta Platforms (META -3.24%) is building in Ohio in partnership with Vistra Corp. (VST +1.34%), Oklo, and TerraPower. That facility, a one-gigawatt data center, is scheduled to come online sometime this year. It’s also unrelated to Jeff Bezos’ AI design and engineering start-up Prometheus.
Image source: Getty Images.
What it means for investorsOnce again, Oklo ends up a winner with the DoE, after having been a participant in numerous prior DoE initiatives, including the Reactor Pilot Program through which it’s constructing its first Aurora Powerhouse at the Idaho National Laboratory.
Oklo’s current approval strategy is to work with the DoE on advancing projects and then apply the lessons learned to future NRC licensing requests. That strategy appears to be paying off, and will hopefully bear fruit when the company is ready to apply to the NRC for a commercial license for its Aurora Powerhouse design.
Today's Change
(
-1.12
%) $
-0.50
Current Price
$
44.00
X-Energy, which just had its IPO in April, probably benefits most from the prestige and exposure it receives as a Tier 1 partner on the project. The company already has a fuel fabrication license from the NRC for its TRISO-X fuel. It also has numerous reactor projects in various stages of development in the U.S. and the United Kingdom that need regulatory approval. While Prometheus participation isn’t a direct step towards those approvals, partnering with the DoE in the meantime certainly can’t hurt.
The much smaller Standard Nuclear is even younger, having just IPOed last week. It has a market capitalization of just $1.4 billion compared to Oklo’s $7.6 billion and X-Energy’s $6.5 billion. It already has approval to receive high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) feedstock and to produce TRISO fuel. Being part of this project allows the small start-up to work with industry heavyweights and deepen its credibility with the DoE and other government bodies.
Today's Change
(
-9.02
%) $
-0.87
Current Price
$
8.78
Meanwhile, SMR start-up NuScale (SMR +1.84%) didn’t make the list… again. This shouldn’t be a surprise to investors, as the company hasn’t received any DoE support since 2019.
In other words, all three companies should benefit to some degree, but with nuclear stocks having fallen out of favor in the past year, it will take more than project participation to turn their fortunes around.
Billionaire David Tepper made the bulk of his fortune investing on Wall Street, so it's understandable that people would peek into his hedge fund's holdings to get a look at where he's placing his bets. As of the first quarter (Q1), Tepper's hedge fund, Appaloosa Management, had $5.93 billion in assets under management, with a surprising amount of that coming from a little-known energy company.
Vistra (VST +1.34%) was 5.12% of Appaloosa's portfolio, its seventh-largest holding. The six above it are Amazon, Micron, Alphabet, Uber, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Alibaba, all of which fall into the tech bucket.
So, why are Tepper and Appaloosa so high on Vistra? Let's take a look.
Image source: Getty Images.
What does Vistra do? Vistra is an energy company that makes money in two main ways. The first is through retail, supplying power to around 5 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
The second is through power generation, which involves producing large amounts of electricity (about 44,000 megawatts) and selling it to major U.S. power grids. Its fleet is powered by natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage.
Tepper and Appaloosa likely increased their stake in Vistra because of its power generation business, and it (surprisingly) comes back to artificial intelligence (AI).
Today's Change
(
1.34
%) $
2.24
Current Price
$
168.98
A different way to invest in AI Except for Uber, the companies making up more of Appaloosa's portfolio than Vistra are all AI stocks, ranging from cloud to hardware to manufacturing. Vistra is not an AI stock, but it's positioned well to benefit from the ongoing AI boom.
Data centers house the infrastructure needed to run AI. However, it takes tons of power to keep them running 24/7, as they need to handle the workload. Many people would argue it takes too much power, but in Vistra's case, it has worked in its favor.
As AI hyperscalers (companies that own the infrastructure) collectively spend hundreds of billions building out data centers, they're locking in with companies like Vistra to ensure they have the power to supply them. Just earlier this year, Vistra and Meta Platforms announced a 20-year power purchase agreement. It's hard not to think that helped Tepper's decision to double down on the stock.
Is now the time to invest in Vistra? Over the past 12 months, Vistra's stock has been down around 12% (as of July 22), so it hasn't experienced the AI-fueled growth that many other AI-adjacent stocks have. However, this could be Tepper getting ahead of the curve.
Last year, in Q1, Vistra operated with a $268 million loss. That same quarter this year, its net income was $1.03 billion. It's not the $1.84 billion it generated in Q3 2024, but it shows promise that it can head back in that direction.
VST Net Income (Quarterly) data by YCharts
Vistra hasn't necessarily reaped all the benefits from the AI windfall just yet, but I like the position it's currently in. However, the stock's volatility isn't for everyone. I wouldn't touch it if you're risk-averse.
Stefon Walters has positions in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Uber Technologies, and Vistra. The Motley Fool recommends Alibaba Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this company have returned +2.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change. The Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Vistra belongs, has gained 2.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
Vistra is expected to post earnings of $2.43 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +140.6%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -3.6%.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $9.35 points to a change of +77.8% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +2.7%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.01 indicates a change of +17.8% from what Vistra is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.4%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Vistra is rated Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For Vistra, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.42 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +51%. For the current and next fiscal years, $23.86 billion and $25.79 billion estimates indicate +34.5% and +8% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVistra reported revenues of $5.64 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +43.4%. EPS of $2.87 for the same period compares with $0.46 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.45 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.54%. The EPS surprise was +29.86%.
Over the last four quarters, Vistra surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Vistra is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vistra. However, its Zacks Rank #1 does suggest that it may outperform the broader market in the near term.
Building a successful investment portfolio takes skill and hard work, no matter if you're a growth, value, income, or momentum-focused investor.
But how do you find the right combination of stocks? Funding your retirement, your kids' college tuition, or your short- and long-term savings goals certainly requires significant returns.
Enter the Zacks Rank.
What is the Zacks Rank?A unique, proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank uses earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings expectations, to help investors create a winning portfolio.
There are four main factors behind the Zacks Rank: Agreement, Magnitude, Upside, and Surprise.
Agreement is the extent to which all brokerage analysts are revising their earnings estimates in the same direction. The greater the percentage of analysts revising their estimates higher, the better chance the stock will outperform.
Magnitude is the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate for the current and next fiscal years.
Upside is the difference between the most accurate estimate, which is calculated by Zacks, and the consensus estimate.
Surprise is made up of a company's last few quarters' earnings per share surprises; companies with a positive earnings surprise are more likely to beat expectations in the future.
These four factors are assigned a raw score that's recalculated every night, which is then compiled into the ranking system. Stocks are classified into five groups using this data, ranging from "Strong Buy" to "Strong Sell."
The Power of Institutional InvestorsThe Zacks Rank also allows individual investors, or retail investors, to benefit from the power of institutional investors.
These professionals manage the trillions of dollars invested in hedge funds, mutual funds, and investment banks, and studies have shown that they can and do move the market because of the large amounts of money they invest with. Thus, the market tends to move in the same direction as institutional investors.
In order to determine the fair value of a company and its shares, institutional investors design valuation models that focus on earnings and earnings estimates. Because if you raise earnings estimates, it then creates a higher fair value for a company and its stock price.
Institutional investors will use these changes to help in their decision-making, typically buying stocks with rising estimates and selling those with falling estimates. Higher earnings expectations can translate into a rise in stock price and bigger gains for the investor.
Because it can take a long time for an institutional investor to build a position--sometimes weeks, if not months--retail investors who get in at the first sign of upward revisions have a distinct advantage over these larger investors, and can benefit from the expected institutional buying that will follow.
Not only can the Zacks Rank help you take advantage of trends in earnings estimate revisions, but it can also provide a way to get into stocks that are highly sought after by professionals.
How to Invest with the Zacks RankThe Zacks Rank is known for transforming investment portfolios. In fact, a portfolio of Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks has beaten the market in 26 of the last 32 years, with an average annual return of +23.94%.
Moreover, stocks with a new #1 (Strong Buy) ranking have some of the biggest profit potential, while those that fell to a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) have some of the worst.
Let's take a look at Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) , which was added to the Zacks Rank #1 list on July 21, 2026. Vistra Corp. is an integrated retail electricity and power generation company that operates across competitive U.S. power markets. The company sells electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers while running a diversified fleet that generates, hedges, and supplies power to its retail brands. Vistra is a Delaware corporation and operates from Irving, TX.
Three analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.26 to $9.35 per share. VST also boasts an average earnings surprise of 16.4%.
Earnings are forecasted to see growth of 77.8% for the current fiscal year, and sales are expected to increase 34.5%.
VST has been moving higher over the past four weeks as well, up 2.4% compared to the S&P 500's gain of 0.4%.
Bottom LineWith a #1 (Strong Buy) ranking, positive trend in earnings estimate revisions, and strong market momentum, Vistra Corp. should be on investors' shortlist.
If you want even more information on the Zacks Ranks, or one of our many other investing strategies, check out the Zacks Education home page.
Discover Today's Top StocksOur private Zacks #1 Rank List, based on our quantitative Zacks Rank stock-rating system, has more than doubled the S&P 500 since 1988. Applying the Zacks Rank in your own trading can boost your investing returns on your very next trade. See Today's Zacks #1 Rank List >>
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) closed the last trading session at $166.74, gaining 2.4% over the past four weeks, but there could be plenty of upside left in the stock if short-term price targets set by Wall Street analysts are any guide. The mean price target of $223.63 indicates a 34.1% upside potential.
The mean estimate comprises 16 short-term price targets with a standard deviation of $31.82. While the lowest estimate of $181.00 indicates an 8.6% increase from the current price level, the most optimistic analyst expects the stock to surge 78.7% to reach $298.00. It's very important to note the standard deviation here, as it helps understand the variability of the estimates. The smaller the standard deviation, the greater the agreement among analysts.
While the consensus price target is highly sought after by investors, the ability and unbiasedness of analysts in setting price targets have long been questionable. And investors making investment decisions solely based on this tool would arguably do themselves a disservice.
But, for VST, an impressive average price target is not the only indicator of a potential upside. Strong agreement among analysts about the company's ability to report better earnings than they predicted earlier strengthens this view. While a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions doesn't gauge how much a stock could gain, it has proven to be powerful in predicting an upside.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Here's What You May Not Know About Analysts' Price TargetsAccording to researchers at several universities across the globe, a price target is one of many pieces of information about a stock that misleads investors far more often than it guides. In fact, empirical research shows that price targets set by several analysts, irrespective of the extent of agreement, rarely indicate where the price of a stock could actually be heading.
While Wall Street analysts have deep knowledge of a company's fundamentals and the sensitivity of its business to economic and industry issues, many of them tend to set overly optimistic price targets. Are you wondering why?
They usually do that to drum up interest in shares of companies that their firms either have existing business relationships with or are looking to be associated with. In other words, business incentives of firms covering a stock often result in inflated price targets set by analysts.
However, a tight clustering of price targets, which is represented by a low standard deviation, indicates that analysts have a high degree of agreement about the direction and magnitude of a stock's price movement. While that doesn't necessarily mean the stock will hit the average price target, it could be a good starting point for further research aimed at identifying the potential fundamental driving forces.
That said, while investors should not entirely ignore price targets, making an investment decision solely based on them could lead to disappointing ROI. So, price targets should always be treated with a high degree of skepticism.
Here's Why There Could be Plenty of Upside Left in VSTThere has been increasing optimism among analysts lately about the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher. And that could be a legitimate reason to expect an upside in the stock. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 2.7%, as two estimates have moved higher compared to no negative revision.
Moreover, VST currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), which means it is in the top 5% of more than 4,000 stocks that we rank based on four factors related to earnings estimates. Given an impressive externally-audited track record, this is a more conclusive indication of the stock's potential upside in the near term. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> .
Therefore, while the consensus price target may not be a reliable indicator of how much VST could gain, the direction of price movement it implies does appear to be a good guide.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) closed at $162.33 in the latest trading session, marking a +2.75% move from the prior day. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.89% for the day. At the same time, the Dow added 0.74%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 1.29%.
Coming into today, shares of the company had lost 5.54% in the past month. In that same time, the Utilities sector gained 0.76%, while the S&P 500 lost 0.63%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Vistra Corp. in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on August 7, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.43, up 140.59% from the prior-year quarter. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $6.42 billion, indicating a 50.98% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
VST's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $9.53 per share and revenue of $23.85 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +81.18% and +34.45%, respectively.
Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for Vistra Corp. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.3% higher. Vistra Corp. is holding a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) right now.
With respect to valuation, Vistra Corp. is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 16.58. This indicates a discount in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 17.82.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 154, putting it in the bottom 38% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.
Growth stocks are attractive to many investors, as above-average financial growth helps these stocks easily grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.
That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.
However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyond the traditional growth attributes to analyze a company's real growth prospects.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is on the list of such stocks currently recommended by our proprietary system. In addition to a favorable Growth Score, it carries a top Zacks Rank.
Studies have shown that stocks with the best growth features consistently outperform the market. And for stocks that have a combination of a Growth Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy), returns are even better.
Here are three of the most important factors that make the stock of this company a great growth pick right now.
Earnings GrowthEarnings growth is arguably the most important factor, as stocks exhibiting exceptionally surging profit levels tend to attract the attention of most investors. And for growth investors, double-digit earnings growth is definitely preferable, and often an indication of strong prospects (and stock price gains) for the company under consideration.
While the historical EPS growth rate for Vistra is 44.7%, investors should actually focus on the projected growth. The company's EPS is expected to grow 81.1% this year, crushing the industry average, which calls for EPS growth of 6.9%.
Impressive Asset Utilization RatioGrowth investors often overlook asset utilization ratio, also known as sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, but it is an important feature of a real growth stock. This metric shows how efficiently a firm is utilizing its assets to generate sales.
Right now, Vistra has an S/TA ratio of 0.49, which means that the company gets $0.49 in sales for each dollar in assets. Comparing this to the industry average of 0.22, it can be said that the company is more efficient.
While the level of efficiency in generating sales matters a lot, so does the sales growth of a company. And Vistra is well positioned from a sales growth perspective too. The company's sales are expected to grow 34.5% this year versus the industry average of 4.7%.
Promising Earnings Estimate RevisionsSuperiority of a stock in terms of the metrics outlined above can be further validated by looking at the trend in earnings estimate revisions. A positive trend is of course favorable here. Empirical research shows that there is a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
The current-year earnings estimates for Vistra have been revising upward. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has surged 2.3% over the past month.
Bottom LineWhile the overall earnings estimate revisions have made Vistra a Zacks Rank #1 stock, it has earned itself a Growth Score of B based on a number of factors, including the ones discussed above.
You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
This combination positions Vistra well for outperformance, so growth investors may want to bet on it.
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?
Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) .
Vistra currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.12, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 17 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.12 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 17 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 16 are Strong Buy, representing 94.1% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for VST
Check price target & stock forecast for Vistra here>>>
The ABR suggests buying Vistra, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation.
Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.
In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near-term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision.
Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRIn spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.
In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research.
Furthermore, the different grades of the Zacks Rank are applied proportionately across all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide earnings estimates for the current year. In other words, at all times, this tool maintains a balance among the five ranks it assigns.
There is also a key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank when it comes to freshness. When you look at the ABR, it may not be up-to-date. Nonetheless, since brokerage analysts constantly revise their earnings estimates to reflect changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in predicting future stock prices.
Should You Invest in VST?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Vistra, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 2.3% over the past month to $9.53.
Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) for Vistra. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for Vistra may serve as a useful guide for investors.
California Public Employees Retirement System lowered its stake in Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST – Free Report) by 27.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 451,638 shares of the company’s stock after selling 172,875 shares during the quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System owned approximately 0.13% of Vistra worth $67,895,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of VST. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in Vistra by 95.1% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 177,199 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,638,000 after acquiring an additional 86,393 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Vistra during the 4th quarter worth about $746,729,000. Payden & Rygel increased its stake in shares of Vistra by 3,118.2% during the 4th quarter. Payden & Rygel now owns 35,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,711,000 after purchasing an additional 34,300 shares during the last quarter. Signature Estate & Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,875,000. Finally, Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vistra by 34.4% in the 4th quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 188,921 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,479,000 after purchasing an additional 48,378 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.
Key Vistra News Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:
Positive Sentiment: Scotiabank raised its FY2026 and FY2027 earnings estimates for Vistra, while keeping an Outperform rating and a $298 price target, reinforcing the view that earnings can keep growing. Scotiabank Raises Vistra Estimates Positive Sentiment: News that Vistra secured PJM capacity points to better future revenue visibility, which investors typically view as supportive for utility and power producer stocks. Vistra Secures PJM Capacity Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlighting rising demand from data centers and increased capital investments in nuclear, solar, storage, and gas assets suggests Vistra could benefit from long-term load growth and reliable earnings expansion. Vistra Benefiting From Data Center Demand Positive Sentiment: KeyBanc reaffirmed its Buy rating, adding to the bullish analyst tone around the stock. KeyBanc Sticks to Buy Rating Neutral Sentiment: Vistra was also mentioned in media coverage and trading commentary as a stock showing momentum, which may reflect investor enthusiasm but does not add new fundamental information. Vistra Rises Higher Than Market Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades VST has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Vistra from $240.00 to $231.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 30th. Seaport Research Partners restated a “buy” rating and issued a $230.00 price objective on shares of Vistra in a research note on Monday, June 15th. TD Cowen cut their price objective on Vistra from $253.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 4th. Scotiabank reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $298.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 target price on shares of Vistra in a report on Thursday, May 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $230.62.
Read Our Latest Research Report on VST
Insider Transactions at Vistra In related news, Director John R. Sult sold 6,500 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.00, for a total transaction of $1,105,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 70,714 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,021,380. This trade represents a 8.42% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Scott B. Helm sold 25,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $4,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 232,200 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $37,152,000. This trade represents a 9.72% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 41,588 shares of company stock worth $6,739,227 in the last ninety days. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Vistra Stock Performance Shares of VST stock opened at $155.12 on Monday. Vistra Corp. has a 52 week low of $132.66 and a 52 week high of $219.82. The company has a market capitalization of $52.30 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.98 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $154.14 and a 200 day simple moving average of $158.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.51, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.90.
Vistra (NYSE:VST – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $1.55. The firm had revenue of $5.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.22 billion. Vistra had a net margin of 11.52% and a return on equity of 105.64%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Vistra Corp. will post 9.53 earnings per share for the current year.
Vistra Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 22nd were paid a dividend of $0.229 per share. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.6%. This is an increase from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 22nd. Vistra’s dividend payout ratio is 15.41%.
About Vistra (Free Report)
Vistra (NYSE: VST) is an integrated power company that develops, owns and operates electricity generation and retail businesses in the United States. The company’s operations span wholesale power production—through a diversified fleet of thermal and lower‑carbon generation assets—and retail electricity supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Vistra serves organized wholesale markets and competitive retail markets, with a notable presence in Texas and other regional U.S. power markets.
Vistra’s core activities include the ownership and operation of generation facilities, the commercial dispatch and optimization of those assets into wholesale markets, and the sale of electricity and related services to end-use customers through its retail brands.
Read More Five stocks we like better than Vistra Strait of Hormuz Tensions Spike Tanker Trade: These 2 Stocks Are Set to Benefit Shopify’s Quiet AI Strategy Could Be Its Biggest Advantage Yet Why These 3 Nuclear ETFs Are Getting a Fresh Look as AI Power Demand Rises 3 Aerospace Suppliers That Could Benefit as Aircraft Makers Face Bottlenecks Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST – Free Report).
Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
« PREVIOUS HEADLINECalifornia Public Employees Retirement System Purchases 149,508 Shares of Devon Energy Corporation $DVN
NEXT HEADLINE »Biogen Inc. $BIIB Shares Purchased by California Public Employees Retirement System
Obchodní aktivita amerických politiků je investory dlouhodobě bedlivě sledovaná. V minulých letech byly pod drobnohledem především investiční kroky bývalé šéfky Sněmovny reprezentantů Nancy Pelosiové (a jejího manžela), od návratu Donalda Trumpa do Bílého domu se pak více pozornosti upřelo právě na něj. Americký prezident v posledním majetkovém přiznání zveřejnil tisíce transakcí uskutečněných prostřednictvím svěřenského fondu. Server Benzinga se podíval na portfolia obou politiků a našel v nich hned desítku shodných titulů.
Společným jmenovatelem většiny shodných pozic jsou technologické firmy a společnosti profitující z rozvoje umělé inteligence. Na seznamu tak figurují jak zástupci Magnificent Seven, tak ale třeba i méně tradiční sázky typu Tempus AI či energetická skupina Vistra.
Mezi nejčerstvějšími přírůstky v portfoliu rodiny Pelosiových jsou Uber a Intel. Paul Pelosi podle zveřejněných dokumentů nakoupil dlouhodobé call opce na obě společnosti s expirací v příštím roce. Trumpův svěřenský fond mezitím letos u obou titulů vykázal kombinaci nákupů i prodejů, přičemž převažovaly nákupní transakce.
Výrazný překryv pak lze zpozorovat u největších technologických společností. Pelosiovi dlouhodobě drží expozici vůči Alphabetu, Nvidii, Applu, Amazonu a Broadcomu, často prostřednictvím opcí, které byly následně převedeny na akcie. Trumpův fond zase během letoška uskutečnil u těchto jmen desítky obchodů, přičemž některé transakce byly v řádu milionů dolarů.
Zvláštní pozornost pak poutá Nvidia, která se stala jedním z hlavních symbolů boomu umělé inteligence. Pelosiovi v posledních letech opakovaně navyšovali svou expozici vůči nejhodnotnější veřejně obchodované společnosti na světě, zatímco Trumpův fond patří mezi nejaktivnější obchodníky s tímto titulem, odhalila analýza serveru Benzinga.
Kromě zavedených technologických gigantů spojuje obě portfolia také orientace na perspektivní segmenty. Zde můžeme zařadit Tempus AI, jež využívá umělou inteligenci ve zdravotnictví, nebo velkého hráče v oblasti kybernetické bezpečnosti Palo Alto Networks. Dalším méně očekávaným jménem je pak energetická společnost Vistra, kterou investoři často vnímají jako nepřímou sázku na rostoucí spotřebu elektřiny datových center.
Deset akcií, které se letos objevily v portfoliích Pelosiové a Trumpa:
Uber Technologies
Intel
Alphabet
Nvidia
Tempus AI
Vistra
Apple
Amazon
Broadcom
Palo Alto Networks
Odlišné investiční přístupy
Benzinga si také všímá toho, že i přes shodu u některých titulů se styl obou táborů výrazně liší. Paul Pelosi je známý využíváním dlouhodobých call opcí, které následně převádí na akcie. Jeho strategie se soustředí především na velké technologické společnosti a strukturální růstové trendy.
To Trumpův svěřenský fond naopak podle zveřejněných údajů realizoval během let 2025 a 2026 desetitisíce transakcí napříč řadou sektorů. Přesto i zde dominují velké americké společnosti a zejména technologické tituly, které tvoří významnou část nejaktivněji obchodovaných pozic.
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST – Free Report) by 18.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 694,157 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 109,096 shares during the quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC owned approximately 0.21% of Vistra worth $106,872,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. purchased a new position in shares of Vistra in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new stake in Vistra in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Strive Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in Vistra in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Salomon & Ludwin LLC lifted its stake in Vistra by 74.8% in the 4th quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 215 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 90.88% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Seaport Research Partners restated a “buy” rating and issued a $230.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Monday, June 15th. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Vistra from $253.00 to $230.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, May 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Vistra from $240.00 to $231.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $210.00 price target on shares of Vistra in a research report on Wednesday, June 24th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Vistra from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “hold (c)” rating in a report on Thursday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirteen have assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $230.62.
Read Our Latest Report on VST
Vistra News Summary Here are the key news stories impacting Vistra this week:
Positive Sentiment: Scotiabank raised its FY2026 and FY2027 earnings estimates for Vistra, while keeping an Outperform rating and a $298 price target, reinforcing the view that earnings can keep growing. Scotiabank Raises Vistra Estimates Positive Sentiment: News that Vistra secured PJM capacity points to better future revenue visibility, which investors typically view as supportive for utility and power producer stocks. Vistra Secures PJM Capacity Positive Sentiment: Coverage highlighting rising demand from data centers and increased capital investments in nuclear, solar, storage, and gas assets suggests Vistra could benefit from long-term load growth and reliable earnings expansion. Vistra Benefiting From Data Center Demand Positive Sentiment: KeyBanc reaffirmed its Buy rating, adding to the bullish analyst tone around the stock. KeyBanc Sticks to Buy Rating Neutral Sentiment: Vistra was also mentioned in media coverage and trading commentary as a stock showing momentum, which may reflect investor enthusiasm but does not add new fundamental information. Vistra Rises Higher Than Market Insiders Place Their Bets In other Vistra news, CAO Margaret Montemayor sold 4,600 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $736,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 9,760 shares in the company, valued at $1,561,600. The trade was a 32.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, Director Paul M. Barbas sold 244 shares of Vistra stock in a transaction on Monday, June 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $153.00, for a total transaction of $37,332.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 53,006 shares in the company, valued at $8,109,918. The trade was a 0.46% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 41,588 shares of company stock valued at $6,739,227 in the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 0.92% of the company’s stock.
Vistra Stock Up 1.7% Vistra stock opened at $155.12 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $52.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.98 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.51, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a current ratio of 0.90. Vistra Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $132.66 and a fifty-two week high of $219.82. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $154.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $158.42.
Vistra (NYSE:VST – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $2.87 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.32 by $1.55. The company had revenue of $5.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.22 billion. Vistra had a return on equity of 105.64% and a net margin of 11.52%. Equities research analysts expect that Vistra Corp. will post 9.53 earnings per share for the current year.
Vistra Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 22nd were issued a $0.229 dividend. This is a positive change from Vistra’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.23. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 22nd. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.6%. Vistra’s payout ratio is currently 15.41%.
About Vistra (Free Report)
Vistra (NYSE: VST) is an integrated power company that develops, owns and operates electricity generation and retail businesses in the United States. The company’s operations span wholesale power production—through a diversified fleet of thermal and lower‑carbon generation assets—and retail electricity supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. Vistra serves organized wholesale markets and competitive retail markets, with a notable presence in Texas and other regional U.S. power markets.
Vistra’s core activities include the ownership and operation of generation facilities, the commercial dispatch and optimization of those assets into wholesale markets, and the sale of electricity and related services to end-use customers through its retail brands.
Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than Vistra AST SpaceMobile Stock Sinks as SpaceX Fallout Rattles Space Sector Aehr Test Systems Stock Soars on Earnings, Eyes Over 150% Revenue Growth TSMC Just Gave AI Chip Bulls Another Reason to Stay Confident GE Aerospace Faces a Prove-It Moment in Q2 Earnings Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VST? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST – Free Report).
Receive News & Ratings for Vistra Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vistra and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
« PREVIOUS HEADLINEAllspring Global Investments Holdings LLC Purchases 120,414 Shares of Prologis, Inc. $PLD
NEXT HEADLINE »Advisortrust Partners LLC Takes Position in iShares U.S. Telecommunications ETF $IYZ
Vistra (VST 4.79%) is becoming part of the AI infrastructure debate as big tech races to secure reliable electricity. With nuclear assets, dispatchable power, and long-term hyperscaler agreements, Vistra could benefit if electricity scarcity becomes one of the biggest constraints in the AI boom.
*Stock prices used were the market prices of July 6, 2026. The video was published on July 14, 2026.
Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vistra. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.
On July 16, 2026, Vistra Corp (VST) shares experienced a decline of 4.8%, bringing the current price to $152.56. This move comes amid a 52-week range that has s
Key Takeaways Vistra plans to invest $2.587 billion in 2026, up from $2.16 billion in 2025.Capital spending targets nuclear, solar, battery storage and modernized gas-fired facilities.Vistra is adding 4.5 GW organically and plans to acquire Cogentrix's 5,500-MW portfolio. Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is well positioned for long-term growth, supported by its disciplined capital investment strategy. As the energy sector shifts toward cleaner and more reliable power generation, the company is making significant capital investments to expand its renewable energy and battery storage portfolio. These investments are expected to strengthen Vistra's ability to meet growing electricity demand while enhancing grid reliability and supporting long-term earnings growth.
Vistra aims to invest $2.587 billion in 2026, up from $2.16 billion and $1.93 billion invested in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The company’s capital expenditure is strategically directed toward the development of nuclear, solar, battery storage and modernized gas-fired facilities. Vistra operates a diversified generation fleet with approximately 44,000 megawatts (“MW”) of capacity, spanning natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar and battery energy storage assets.
VST is strategically deploying capital to expand its asset base, modernize technology and improve operational efficiency, strengthening the long-term growth prospects. The company is also growing its natural gas portfolio through acquisitions, including the Lotus assets and the planned acquisition of Cogentrix's 5,500-MW portfolio, while advancing approximately 4.5 GW of organic capacity additions to meet rising electricity demand and support cash flow growth.
With strong fundamentals and a clear capital deployment strategy, Vistra’s steadily rising CapEx signals long-term upside potential. Investors may view Vistra as a compelling opportunity in the evolving utility and clean energy space.
Utilities Are Investing in Energy TransitionUtilities across the United States are ramping up investments to advance the energy transition, directing capital toward expanding renewable generation and energy storage infrastructure.
NextEra Energy’s (NEE - Free Report) growth strategy is its planned capital investment of more than $94.1 billion through 2030. Planned investment at NEE’s unit FPL and NextEra Energy Resources will expand generation, strengthen grid reliability and accelerate renewable and storage development, supporting long-term earnings growth amid rising power demand.
Duke Energy's (DUK - Free Report) outlook is supported by its regulated utility operations and robust capital investment plan of $103 billion in the 2026-2030 period. Investments in grid modernization, renewable energy and transmission infrastructure are expected to expand Duke Energy's operation and drive consistent earnings.
The Zacks Rundown on VSTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 80.99% and 18.06%, respectively, in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VST’s trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 105.64%, way ahead of its industry average of 11.21%. ROE, a profitability measure, reflects how effectively a company is utilizing its shareholders’ funds in operations to generate income.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Shares of Vistra have risen 1% in the past month compared with the Zacks Utility- Electric Power industry’s of 0.7% rally.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $160.23, moving +1.14% from the previous trading session. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.38% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.29%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.62%.
Prior to today's trading, shares of the company had lost 0.11% lagged the Utilities sector's gain of 1.54% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.61%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Vistra Corp. in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on August 7, 2026. The company is expected to report EPS of $2.43, up 140.59% from the prior-year quarter. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $6.42 billion, showing a 50.98% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $9.52 per share and revenue of $23.85 billion, indicating changes of +80.99% and +34.45%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Vistra Corp. should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 2.38% higher within the past month. Vistra Corp. is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.
From a valuation perspective, Vistra Corp. is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 16.64. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 18.41.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 159, putting it in the bottom 36% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
Owning high-quality stocks seems like a no-brainer. (Have you ever heard an active portfolio manager tout a portfolio of low-quality companies?) But it turns out that identifying the good names isn't quite so simple.
Vistra trades below industry and historical valuations, but power-price volatility, high debt and project risks suggest investors should await a better entry.
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
The State Street Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU) has long been viewed as a defensive investment, preferred by investors seeking stable cash flows, consistent dividends, and lower volatility. Since the fund’s inception in 1998, the ETF has grown to $23.65 billion in assets under management while maintaining a low 0.08% expense ratio. Holdings consist of 35 of the largest utility companies in the S&P 500, providing investors with broad exposure to the sector.
Top holdings include names like NextEra Energy (NEE), Duke Energy (DUK), Constellation Energy (CEG), and Vistra (VST) – all companies that are well positioned to benefit from the growing electricity demand created by AI data centers.
As technology companies continue to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in new AI infrastructure, utility companies that supply the power needed to operate these facilities could emerge as some of the industry’s most overlooked beneficiaries.
A Utility ETF Built for Stability XLU tracks the Utilities Sector Index, providing investors with exposure to companies involved in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable power production.
Historically, the sector has been viewed as a safe haven during periods of heightened market uncertainty due to its relatively predictable earnings and consistent dividends. The fund maintains a current annualized beta of 0.61, with upside and downside capture that has historically been muted. Additionally, XLU has maintained 26 years of dividend payments, with a current trailing-twelve-month yield of 2.64%.
While stability has traditionally come at the expense of rapid growth, the introduction of AI has created a new catalyst for funds like XLU. According to research from Goldman Sachs, by 2030, AI is expected to increase data center power demand by 165%. This is supported by research from Deloitte, acknowledging that from 2024 to 2035, demand for AI data centers is expected to increase fivefold.
AI Runs on More Than Just Semiconductors When investors think about artificial intelligence, companies like Nvidia (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), and Amazon (AMZN) usually are the first that come to mind. However, every AI model, cloud platform, and AI agent ultimately relies on a tremendous amount of electricity.
Training and operating these large language models (LLMs) require thousands of high-performance GPUs running 24/7 inside massive data centers. As such, these facilities require far more electricity than traditional infrastructure due to the intensive computing requirements and cooling systems.
Major technology companies continue to invest aggressively in AI Infrastructure. Collectively, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta have committed hundreds of billions of dollars toward expanding data center capacity over the next several years.
_________________________________
What's Your Number...?Here's a question most people 5y from retirement can't answer: at your current savings rate, how much do you need, and how long will it actually last? A good advisor can put a date on that in a single meeting. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with up to three fiduciary advisors serving your area, so you can get YOUR retirement number now (sponsor)
__________________________________________
That investment is already translating into higher demand for electricity.
Why XLU Could Benefit Many of XLU’s holdings are working to expand generation capacity, modernize infrastructure, and strengthen the electric grid to support this growing demand.
Two holdings with direct AI upside include:
NextEra Energy (NEE) – the largest holding in XLU and one of North America’s largest producers of wind and solar power. As hyperscaler data centers seek additional electricity to meet AI-driven demand, NextEra’s expanding renewable generation and transmission infrastructure position it to benefit from the sector’s long-term growth.
Constellation Energy (CEG) – operates the nation’s largest fleet of nuclear power plants, providing reliable, around-the-clock carbon-free electricity. Dependable baseload generation has made the company an increasingly important partner for technology companies looking to secure long-term power supplies for AI data centers.
Additionally, unlike many AI stocks trading at premium valuations, utilities offer investors exposure to the trend through businesses with established cash flows, solid dividend yields, and more attractive multiples. The valuation multiples for XLU are included in the table below.
Price/Earnings 18.82x Price/Book 2.14x Price/Sales 2.71x Price/Cash Flow 8.15x Final Thoughts Utilities have long been a preferred allocation for defensive investors seeking stable cash flows, consistent dividends, and lower volatility. However, AI may be changing this perception.
As AI infrastructure continues to be built out, the need for energy increases.
In the traditional sense, XLU is not an AI ETF; however, for investors looking to diversify beyond the market’s obvious winners, the fund offers exposure to the infrastructure making the AI revolution possible. Sometimes the most compelling investment opportunities aren’t found in the companies building the technology, but in those quietly supplying the power behind it.
If You’ve Been Thinking About Retirement, Pay Attention (sponsor) Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. The key is finding expert guidance, and SmartAsset’s simple quiz makes it easier than ever for you to connect with a vetted financial advisor. Here’s how:
Answer a Few Simple Questions.
Get Matched with Vetted Advisors
Choose Your Fit
Why wait? Start building the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Get started today! (sponsor)
Energy markets are evolving rapidly as demand for reliable power and renewable solutions climbs. Investors are now comparing GE Vernova (GEV +0.26%) and Vistra (VST +2.04%) to see which company offers a better path forward.
GE Vernova operates as a global leader in power equipment and electrification services. Vistra is an integrated giant focusing on retail energy and a massive generation fleet. Both are central to the energy transition, yet they operate in distinct segments of the power generation landscape.
The case for GE VernovaGE Vernova supplies the technology and services required to generate a significant portion of the world's power. It is the world's largest manufacturer of natural gas turbines, making it a unique player among electric utility stocks since it builds the hardware others use. The company recently strengthened its electrification capabilities by completing the acquisition of the remaining stake in Prolec GE.
In FY 2025, GE Vernova’s revenue grew 8.9% to $38.1 billion, and it earned $4.9 billion in net income. This resulted in a net margin of approximately 12.8%, a significant improvement over its 4.4% net margin in the previous year.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was almost nil, reflecting incredible financial strength. The current ratio of around 1x measures its ability to pay short-term obligations. Free cash flow (FCF) for the year is nearly $3.7 billion, which is calculated as cash from operations minus capital expenditures.
The case for VistraVistra provides electricity and natural gas to nearly five million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across the U.S. It manages a massive generation fleet of approximately 44,000 megawatts (MW), or 44 gigawatts (GW) across various fuel types. The company is also moving forward with its strategic acquisition of Cogentrix to expand its natural gas generation capacity.
In FY 2025, Vistra’s revenue slipped 12.4% to $17 billion, and it earned a net income of $944 million. This net margin of 5.6% was significantly lower than the previous year’s net margin of 13.7%.
As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio is roughly 4x. This ratio measures total debt against shareholder equity to evaluate financial leverage. The current ratio of 0.8x shows the relationship between short-term assets and liabilities. FCF reached nearly $129 million for the year, representing cash generated after paying for capital expenditures.
Risk profile comparisonGE Vernova faces risks related to supply chain volatility for critical components, as well as challenges in its offshore wind segment, which is bogged down by execution and cost risks. Scaling new decarbonization technologies such as small modular reactors in a fast-evolving market could also be a challenge, although GE Vernova has the means and expertise to advance new technologies.
Vistra faces regulatory hurdles regarding its pending Cogentrix acquisition and ongoing market competition investigations. Commodity price swings and extreme weather events also create volatility in its retail and generation segments. The company competes with other power producers like Constellation Energy (CEG +2.48%) while managing the operational and environmental risks inherent in its nuclear and coal generation facilities.
Valuation comparisonVistra appears to be the more conservative choice based on its lower earnings multiple, while GE Vernova carries a premium valuation that reflects its specialized infrastructure role.
A Forward P/E compares a company's share price to future earnings estimates. The P/S ratio measures the stock price against total revenue.
MetricGE VernovaVistraSector BenchmarkForward P/E41.0x16.6x21.2xP/S ratio8.3x3.0xSector benchmark uses the SPDR XLU sector ETF.
Valuation metrics sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.
Which stock would I buy in 2026?GE Vernova and Vistra are playing the same massive structural trend: the unprecedented artificial intelligence (AI) data center build-out. AI chips consume astronomical amounts of power, and with hyperscalers spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the AI build-out, existing grids are under tremendous pressure.
Nuclear energy and natural gas are gaining attention like never before, as they are cleaner sources of power and can supply uninterrupted electricity, unlike wind and solar, which are intermittent.
Vistra owns the second-largest nuclear fleet in the U.S. and is acquiring Cogentrix in a $4 billion deal that will significantly expand its natural gas capacity across major organized power markets, including PJM, New England, and ERCOT (the Texas grid). The combined company will have a generation capacity of nearly 50 GW.
Vistra, however, relies heavily on energy derivatives to hedge its power prices, which is why its revenue can fluctuate so much, as it did in FY 2025. On the flip side, anytime AI demand causes localized power shortages, wholesale power prices could spike and earn Vistra boatloads of money.
GE Vernova, on the other hand, has a clear, straight growth path ahead that has little to do with power prices. Data centers are increasingly using turbines to bypass grids and generate "behind-the-meter," on-site power, with critical power backups. These turbines can be installed quickly, so data centers don’t have to wait years to get utility grid interconnections to start operations.
That’s the biggest reason why GE Vernova’s orders are reaching for the skies. Its total backlog hit a whopping $263 billion in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, and demand is so strong that customers are paying upfront money to lock turbine manufacturing slots stretching through 2030. h
While I like Vistra too, I’d bet my money on GE Vernova today if I had to, because even utilities are now lining up for GE Vernova’s turbines to meet the growing demand for power.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $157.98, demonstrating a +2.04% change from the preceding day's closing price. This change outpaced the S&P 500's 0.81% gain on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.27%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 1.3%.
Coming into today, shares of the company had gained 11.75% in the past month. In that same time, the Utilities sector gained 3.47%, while the S&P 500 gained 1.13%.
The upcoming earnings release of Vistra Corp. will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings report is expected on August 7, 2026. In that report, analysts expect Vistra Corp. to post earnings of $2.43 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 140.59%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $6.42 billion, up 50.98% from the prior-year quarter.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $9.52 per share and a revenue of $23.85 billion, signifying shifts of +80.99% and +34.45%, respectively, from the last year.
Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Vistra Corp. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.
Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 2.38% upward. Vistra Corp. currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, Vistra Corp. is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 16.26. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 18.41 of its industry.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 108, putting it in the top 44% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
Key Takeaways Vistra is positioned to benefit from AI, data center, electrification and industrial power demand.Long-term PPAs with Meta and AWS provide recurring revenues and reduce merchant price volatility.Vistra's diversified fleet and integrated model support operational flexibility and stable earnings. Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is well-positioned to benefit from the rapidly growing U.S. electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centers, electrification and industrial expansion. The company operates one of the nation's largest and most diversified power generation portfolios, including natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar and battery storage assets. This diversified fleet enables Vistra to reliably serve increasing power demand while maintaining operational flexibility across changing market conditions.
A key long-term growth catalyst is Vistra's power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Meta and Amazon Web Services (“AWS”). These long-duration contracts provide predictable and recurring revenue streams by locking in electricity sales over extended periods. As leading technology companies continue expanding AI infrastructure and hyperscale data centers, Vistra is positioned to benefit from sustained electricity demand backed by investment-grade counterparties. The contracts improve earnings visibility, reduce merchant power price volatility and strengthen cash flow stability, supporting long-term financial performance.
Vistra continues to strengthen its competitive position through disciplined investments in power generation, battery energy storage and strategic acquisitions. Its integrated business model, which combines electricity generation with retail operations, provides natural hedging benefits and supports stable earnings across market cycles.
Growing AI-driven electricity demand, expanding clean energy investments, long-term power purchase agreements and a diversified generation portfolio position Vistra for sustained earnings and cash flow growth. These strengths, along with its ability to enhance shareholder returns, make the company an attractive long-term investment despite short-term market volatility.
PPAs Bring Stability in Utility EarningsPPAs strengthen utilities' growth prospects by providing stable, predictable revenue streams and limiting exposure to wholesale electricity price fluctuations. These contracts enhance earnings visibility, support investments in new generation assets, improve cash flow stability and drive sustainable long-term shareholder value.
Utilities such as Constellation Energy (CEG - Free Report) and NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) benefit significantly from long-term PPAs, which provide predictable revenue streams and reduce exposure to wholesale power price volatility. These contracts improve earnings visibility, support investments in clean energy projects and generation capacity, strengthen cash flow stability and create sustainable long-term shareholder value.
The Zacks Rundown for VSTThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra’s earnings per share for 2026 and 2027 indicates a year-over-year increase of 80.99% and 18.06%, respectively.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Return on equity (“ROE”), a profitability measure, reflects how effectively a company is utilizing shareholders’ funds in its operations to generate income.
VST’s trailing 12-month ROE is 105.64%, way ahead of its industry average of 11.21%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VST’s Price PerformanceShares of Vistra have gained 1.4% in the past three months against the Zacks Utility- Electric Power industry’s decline of 2.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VST’s Zacks RankVistra currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here
Utility giant Vistra Corp (NYSE:VST) is trading 0.7% lower at $156.12 this afternoon, continuing its long-term consolidation below $180. The shares are still riding just below the year-to-date breakeven level, though a floor of support looks to have developed at the $140 mark.
That trendline could soon be cleared though, as a historic bull signal is now flashing for Vistra. According to Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White, VST is trading within 3% of its 24-month moving average after spending the previous five months above that trendline.
This setup has appeared two times during the last 20 years, after which the stock was higher one month later both times, averaging a 9.3% gain, and higher three months later each time, averaging an impressive 9.7% return. From its current perch, a move of this caliber would put VST back around $171 and above its year-to-date breakeven level.
A short squeeze could keep the wind at the equity's back. Short interest increased by 14.3% in the two most recent reporting periods, and the 15.36 million shares sold short account for 4.6% of VST's total available float. At the stock's average pace of trading, it would take shorts over three trading days to buy back their bearish bets.
Talen Energy offers sharper forward growth and a more attractive valuation for aggressive investors, despite higher concentration risk versus Vistra. Vistra is larger, more diversified, and more profitable, with major catalysts from Meta, Helix, and a robust buyback program, making it the safer AI power trade. TLN's near-term catalysts include the Cornerstone acquisition, Amazon-linked demand, and significant free cash flow per share ramp through 2028.
Resources Investor Relations Journalists Agencies Client Login Send a Release News Products Contact , /PRNewswire/ -- Vistra (NYSE: VST) plans to report its second quarter 2026 financial and operating results on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, during a live conference call and webcast beginning at 10 a.m. ET (9 a.m. CT).
The live webcast can be accessed via Vistra's website at www.vistracorp.com under "Investor Relations" and then "Events & Presentations." Participants can also listen by phone by registering here prior to the start time of the call to receive a conference call dial-in number. A replay of the webcast will be available on Vistra's website for one year following the call.
About Vistra
Vistra (NYSE: VST) is a leading Fortune 500 integrated retail electricity and power generation company based in Irving, Texas, that provides essential resources to customers, businesses, and communities from California to Maine. Vistra is a leader in transforming the energy landscape, with an unyielding focus on reliability, affordability, and sustainability. The company safely operates a reliable, efficient power generation fleet of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities while taking an innovative, customer-centric approach to its retail business. Learn more at vistracorp.com.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Shares of this company have returned +1.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -0.9% change. The Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, to which Vistra belongs, has gained 5.5% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.
Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Vistra is expected to post earnings of $2.43 per share, indicating a change of +140.6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -3.6% over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $9.52 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +81%. This estimate has changed +2.4% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.24 indicates a change of +18.1% from what Vistra is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.5%.
Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Vistra is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.
In the case of Vistra, the consensus sales estimate of $6.42 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +51%. The $23.85 billion and $26.29 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +34.5% and +10.3%, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVistra reported revenues of $5.64 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +43.4%. EPS of $2.87 for the same period compares with $0.46 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.45 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.54%. The EPS surprise was +29.86%.
Over the last four quarters, Vistra surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.
ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.
Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Vistra is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vistra. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
A once-in-a-decade heat dome baked the eastern United States this Fourth of July weekend. PJM Interconnection, which serves 67 million people across 13 states, believes that Friday’s demand passed a previous record set all the way back in August 2006.
Dan Leonard, Director of Forecasting for the USA at MetDesk, joined CNBC on July 1st to talk about the implications of heat waves.
The investment angle sits with the power grid. “What you want to look at here is the electricity power plays, because there’s pools like PJM, which are forecasting record load. I think the previous record in PJM is like 161 gigs. We’re forecasting 166 on Friday, which would beat the old record by five gigs,” Leonard said. He added: “We haven’t seen heat like this since 2012, so we got to go back a ways when basically the entire eastern half of the country was impacted.”
Structural pressure is compounding the weather. “We’ve added a lot of wind and solar over the years, but we’ve also added a lot more load with these new farms coming in and with population increase and data centers,” Leonard noted. Data center electricity use has already jumped from 1.9% of total annual U.S. electricity consumption in 2018 to 4.4% in 2023, with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory projecting up to 12% by 2028. When PJM wholesale prices spike, merchant generators with dispatchable capacity capture the upside.
Vistra Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST | VST Price Prediction) is the largest independent power producer in PJM with 13.9 GW of capacity including nuclear, and its pending Cogentrix acquisition adds another 3.2 GW. Q1 revenue hit $5.64B, up 9.1% YoY, per the company’s SEC filing. CEO Jim Burke said “Load growth remains strong across our primary markets.” Shares trade at $154.81 against an analyst target of $222.89.
SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion. Open an account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $1,000 in complimentary stock for Active Invest accounts. See for yourself by clicking here now.
Constellation Energy Constellation Energy (NASDAQ:CEG) is the second-largest PJM capacity owner with 20.3 GW and runs the biggest nuclear fleet in the US. The stock jumped 11% after the last PJM capacity auction, and Constellation is now the largest US wholesale power provider after buying Calpine. Q1 revenue hit $11.12B, up 63.9% YoY, with adjusted EPS of $2.74. Shares closed at $240.41, down 29.49% year-to-date, against a consensus target of $360.24.
Talen Energy Talen Energy (NASDAQ:TLN) is concentrated in PJM with 13.1 GW and just closed a $3.5 billion deal in June 2026 to add 2.6 GW of gas plants. It also has demonstrated dedicated power arrangements for data center campuses in Pennsylvania, including an expanded 1,920 MW Amazon PPA at Susquehanna. Q1 adjusted EBITDA reached $473 million. Shares last traded at $373.99, versus an analyst target of $473.22, with 15 buy or strong-buy ratings.
NRG Energy NRG Energy (NYSE:NRG) runs a merchant power model with gas-fired projects in PJM and recently acquired LS Power’s gas fleet to expand its footprint. That deal added 13 GW and doubled NRG’s generation base. 2026 guidance calls for adjusted EBITDA of $5.33B to $5.83B. NRG shares trade at $142.81, up 6.1% over the past week as heat forecasts intensified, against a consensus target of $198.88.
What Investors Should Watch Merchant power stocks live and die by weather and wholesale prices, and all four names above have already been volatile in 2026, with Constellation off nearly 30% year-to-date even as Talen holds a modest gain. A record-breaking PJM print on Friday could reset near-term sentiment, but the same volatility that creates upside during heat events cuts the other way when demand cools. Investors evaluating this group should track the PJM real-time load data, capacity auction outcomes, and follow-on data center PPAs, rather than treating any single heat wave as a durable catalyst.
Want Up To $1,000? SoFi Is Giving New Active Invest Users Free StockLooking to grow your money but unsure where to begin? SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion—open an account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $1,000 in complimentary stock for Active Invest accounts.
From $0 commission trading to fractional shares and automated investing, this app is designed to simplify investing for everyone, whether you’re just starting or already experienced. Its easy to sign up and secure your bonus.
In the latest close session, Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) was down 2.31% at $158.63. The stock trailed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.79%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.26%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 1.52%.
Coming into today, shares of the company had gained 4.92% in the past month. In that same time, the Utilities sector gained 2.96%, while the S&P 500 lost 1.82%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Vistra Corp. in its upcoming release. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $2.43, marking a 140.59% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $6.42 billion, up 50.98% from the prior-year quarter.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $9.52 per share and revenue of $23.85 billion, indicating changes of +80.99% and +34.45%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Vistra Corp. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 2.38% upward. Vistra Corp. presently features a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, Vistra Corp. is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 17.05. This expresses a discount compared to the average Forward P/E of 18.44 of its industry.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 80, which puts it in the top 33% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
NextEra Energy remains a dominant force in the utility sector through its massive Florida footprint and global leadership in renewable energy. Vistra offers an integrated model that pairs a large-scale power generation fleet with a robust retail electricity business.
For decades, the ghosts of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster haunted the global nuclear energy industry. Wind and solar grabbed the clean-energy spotlight, pushing nuclear into obscurity as investments dried up.
Then came the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, and things changed practically overnight.
A single next-generation AI server rack can consume as much power as dozens of standard households at peak. A terrifying reality hit tech giants: Their ambitious AI growth plans were about to outgrow the aging, capacity-strained power grids. Because wind and solar are intermittent, they simply cannot guarantee the 24/7 uptime that data centers require. Nuclear power wasn't an alternative anymore. It became the only viable option.
The momentum now appears unstoppable. The U.S. government wants to quadruple nuclear energy capacity from around 100 gigawatts (GW) today to 400 GW by 2050 and is pouring billions of dollars into jump-starting the industry. Utilities are signing historic deals, and more and more nuclear start-ups are hitting the market.
Yet, to successfully ride this wave in 2026 and beyond, you must know exactly where the money is flowing and follow that smart money. With that in mind, here are three no-brainer nuclear stocks worth owning now.
Image source: Getty Images.
Owning the entire nuclear fuel chain You can't run a nuclear reactor without uranium. Uranium is mined, milled into "yellowcake," enriched, and then formed into uranium oxide powder. From there, it is baked into ceramic pellets, stacked into fuel rods, bundled into massive fuel assemblies, and finally loaded into a reactor core to generate electricity.
While some companies only mine the raw commodity and others handle processing, Cameco (CCJ +0.88%) is among the few that capture the entire value chain.
It is the world's second-largest uranium miner behind Kazakhstan's state-owned Kazatomprom, operating the ultra-rich, high-grade deposits in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. Cameco is also a dominant force in refining, chemical conversion, and fuel fabrication, and it owns a stake in Global Laser Enrichment, which is pioneering next-generation laser-based uranium enrichment technology.
Today's Change
(
0.88
%) $
0.91
Current Price
$
104.49
To top it all, Cameco owns a 49% stake in Westinghouse Electric, one of the world's leading nuclear reactor builders and service providers. Westinghouse recently struck a transformational $80 billion partnership with the U.S. government to build a fleet of new nuclear reactors.
So, Cameco not only holds significant pricing power but also generates highly visible cash flows from utilities under long-term contracts. With the company already locking contracts to deliver over 28 million pounds of uranium every year over the next five years, with commitments higher than the average from 2026 to 2028, this is a buy-and-forget nuclear energy stock.
Serving the defense BWX Technologies (BWXT 3.35%) is one of the most structurally sound companies in the entire nuclear energy industry. While speculative start-ups hog the headlines, BWX holds a virtual monopoly on an incredibly high-barrier business: It is the exclusive manufacturer of nuclear reactors and highly engineered components for the U.S. Navy's submarines and aircraft carriers.
Rising geopolitical tensions are driving aggressive defense spending, and that's showing clearly in BWX's numbers. It exited the first quarter of fiscal 2026 with a backlog of $8.6 billion, up 75% year over year. Government bookings surged nearly 9x to $1.9 billion in the quarter, anchored by a massive $1.4 billion contract for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
Today's Change
(
-3.35
%) $
-6.86
Current Price
$
197.91
While defense provides the steady, recession-proof revenue stream, the global surge in power demand is providing BWX with its next hypergrowth catalyst. The company already builds critical components for small modular reactors and other technologies and is now expanding its U.S. commercial manufacturing footprint through its upcoming acquisition of Precision Components Group.
With that kind of a business profile, BWX stock offers a rare combination of rock-solid defense flows and explosive commercial upside from the AI power boom.
This is a solid buy opportunity Vistra (VST 2.55%) owns a massive 44 gigawatt (GW) capacity generation fleet. While 60% of the mix is natural gas, Vistra also boasts the second-largest nuclear fleet in the U.S. behind Constellation Energy.
Tech giants are hungry for uninterrupted power and are flocking to Vistra. The company contracted nearly 3.8 GW of nuclear power plant capacity last year in two landmark 20-year deals, one each with Meta and Amazon's Amazon Web Services (AWS). These multiyear power purchase agreements are shifting Vistra away from volatile merchant pricing into highly predictable revenue.
Today's Change
(
-2.55
%) $
-4.28
Current Price
$
163.49
To cement its footprint further in the largest power markets, including PJM, ERCOT (the Texas grid), and ISO-NE (New England), Vistra is acquiring Cogentrix for $4 billion. This move will expand its natural gas fleet to 26 GW, offering immediate scale to support the global power surge.
Vistra expects to have $10 billion in free cash between 2026 and 2027. That should easily fund the Cogentrix acquisition while supporting bigger dividends and share buybacks. With Vistra shares still down about 11% in one year, you wouldn't want to miss the buy opportunity.
Taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for new and old investors, and Zacks Premium offers many different ways to do both.
Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.
Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.
What are the Zacks Style Scores? The Zacks Style Scores is a unique set of guidelines that rates stocks based on three popular investing types, and were developed as complementary indicators for the Zacks Rank. This combination helps investors choose securities with the highest chances of beating the market over the next 30 days.
Based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, each stock is assigned a rating of A, B, C, D, or F. The better the score, the better chance the stock will outperform; an A is better than a B, a B is better than a C, and so on.
The Style Scores are broken down into four categories:
Value ScoreFor value investors, it's all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under their true value before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, Price/Cash Flow, and a host of other multiples to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.
Growth ScoreWhile good value is important, growth investors are more focused on a company's financial strength and health, and its future outlook. The Growth Style Score takes projected and historic earnings, sales, and cash flow into account to uncover stocks that will see long-term, sustainable growth.
Momentum ScoreMomentum traders and investors live by the saying "the trend is your friend." This investing style is all about taking advantage of upward or downward trends in a stock's price or earnings outlook. Employing factors like one-week price change and the monthly percentage change in earnings estimates, the Momentum Style Score can indicate favorable times to build a position in high-momentum stocks.
VGM ScoreIf you want a combination of all three Style Scores, then the VGM Score will be your friend. It rates each stock on their combined weighted styles, helping you find the companies with the most attractive value, best growth forecast, and most promising momentum. It's also one of the best indicators to use with the Zacks Rank.
How Style Scores Work with the Zacks Rank A proprietary stock-rating model, the Zacks Rank utilizes the power of earnings estimate revisions, or changes to a company's earnings outlook, to help investors create a successful portfolio.
It's highly successful, with #1 (Strong Buy) stocks producing an unmatched +24% average annual return since 1988. That's more than double the S&P 500. But because of the large number of stocks we rate, there are over 200 companies with a Strong Buy rank, plus another 600 with a #2 (Buy) rank, on any given day.
But it can feel overwhelming to pick the right stocks for you and your investing goals with over 800 top-rated stocks to choose from.
That's where the Style Scores come in.
You want to make sure you're buying stocks with the highest likelihood of success, and to do that, you'll need to pick stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 or #2 that also have Style Scores of A or B. If you like a stock that only has a #3 (Hold) rank, it should also have Scores of A or B to guarantee as much upside potential as possible.
Since the Scores were created to work together with the Zacks Rank, the direction of a stock's earnings estimate revisions should be a key factor when choosing which stocks to buy.
Here's an example: a stock with a #4 (Sell) or #5 (Strong Sell) rating, even one with Style Scores of A and B, still has a downward-trending earnings outlook, and a bigger chance its share price will decrease too.
Thus, the more stocks you own with a #1 or #2 Rank and Scores of A or B, the better.
Stock to Watch: Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) Vistra Corp. is an integrated retail electricity and power generation company that operates across competitive U.S. power markets. The company sells electricity and natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers while running a diversified fleet that generates, hedges, and supplies power to its retail brands. Vistra is a Delaware corporation and operates from Irving, TX.
VST is a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A.
Momentum investors should take note of this Utilities stock. VST has a Momentum Style Score of A, and shares are up 4.7% over the past four weeks.
Six analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.73 to $9.52 per share. VST boasts an average earnings surprise of +16.4%.
With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, VST should be on investors' short list.
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of VST either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
The analysis is provided exclusively for informational purposes and should not be considered professional investment advice. Before investing, please conduct personal in-depth research and utmost due diligence, as there are many risks associated with the trade, including capital loss.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
AI's next bottleneck may not be chips. See why electricity demand could turn Constellation Energy and Vistra into two of the market's most important power stocks.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $167.26, moving +2.14% from the previous trading session. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.37%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.29%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 1.33%.
Shares of the company have appreciated by 4.79% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Utilities sector's loss of 0.31%, and the S&P 500's gain of 2.02%.
Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Vistra Corp. in its upcoming release. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $2.16, signifying a 113.86% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $6.26 billion, indicating a 47.32% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.
Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $9.31 per share and revenue of $23.02 billion, indicating changes of +77% and +29.76%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Vistra Corp. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Hence, positive alterations in estimates signify analyst optimism regarding the business and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, running from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), holds an admirable track record of superior performance, independently audited, with #1 stocks contributing an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. Vistra Corp. is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
With respect to valuation, Vistra Corp. is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 17.58. This represents a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 17.88.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 160, putting it in the bottom 35% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.
Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -1.3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's -1.3% change. During this period, the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, which Vistra falls in, has gained 0.2%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?
While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.
Revisions to Earnings EstimatesHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.
We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
For the current quarter, Vistra is expected to post earnings of $2.16 per share, indicating a change of +113.9% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.
The consensus earnings estimate of $9.31 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +77%. This estimate has changed +0.2% over the last 30 days.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.21 indicates a change of +20.4% from what Vistra is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +0.3%.
With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Vistra.
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS
Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.
For Vistra, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $6.26 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +47.3%. For the current and next fiscal years, $23.02 billion and $25.79 billion estimates indicate +29.8% and +12% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVistra reported revenues of $5.64 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +43.4%. EPS of $2.87 for the same period compares with $0.46 a year ago.
Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.45 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +3.54%. The EPS surprise was +29.86%.
Over the last four quarters, Vistra surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates just once over this period.
ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.
While comparing the current values of a company's valuation multiples, such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), with its own historical values helps determine whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of the reasonability of the stock's price.
The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.
Vistra is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vistra. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
On the earnings front, the company, on May 7, posted GAAP first-quarter net income of $1.029 million, while ongoing operations Adjusted EBITDA came in at $1,494 million.
Cramer said, “I kept thinking that there would be a consolidator and Stryker (NYSE:SYK) would do the consolidating.” However, that has not come to pass.
On June 5, Leerink Partners analyst Mike Kratky maintained Stryker with an Outperform rating and lowered the price target from $410 to $407.
Cramer said he likes Fair Isaac Corporation (NYSE:FICO), but he is not going to go there: “I'm not going to get in the crosshairs anymore of these companies that might get hurt by AI. It's too painful.”
Fair Isaac announced a $2 billion buyback plan on June 8.
On June 11, UBS analyst Jonathan Yong maintained Clover Health Investments at Neutral and raised the price target from $2.75 to $4.75.
Price Action Fair Isaac shares fell 5% to settle at $1,126.84 on Wednesday. Clover Health Investments shares fell 2.8% to close at $4.80. Vistra shares rose 0.1% to close at $158.83 on Wednesday. Stryker shares declined 3% to settle at $301.14. Photo via Shutterstock
Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
Nuclear energy doesn't move at the pace of a software company. Nuclear projects take years, sometimes decades, and the regulatory processes are slow by design. But that same friction is also what makes the best nuclear energy stocks worth owning for the long haul. Once a company earns its position in this industry, it becomes extraordinarily difficult to displace. Here are four companies building that kind of durable advantage right now.
Image source: Getty Images.
1. Constellation Energy Constellation Energy (CEG +2.58%) is the largest nuclear fleet operator in the United States, and it has spent the last two years turning that position into something that looks more like a hyperscaler power utility than a traditional energy company.
The story starts with Three Mile Island. In 2024, Constellation signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft to restart the plant -- now rebranded as the Crane Clean Energy Center -- and deliver over 800 megawatts of carbon-free power to Microsoft's data centers in the PJM region. That deal established a new template: tech companies with near-infinite AI power demand, signing multi-decade contracts directly with nuclear operators to secure clean baseload power that solar and wind can't reliably provide.
Since then, Constellation signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Meta Platforms, extended operating licenses at its Illinois fleet through 2047 and beyond, and closed its $26.6 billion acquisition of Calpine -- making it the largest power producer in the country. Three Mile Island is expected back online in 2027. The federal regulatory waiver that cleared the way for the restart arrived earlier than expected. Constellation is an easy, safe buy and hold for the next decade.
Today's Change
(
2.58
%) $
6.89
Current Price
$
274.06
2. Cameco Cameco (CCJ +0.78%) is the simplest way to own the fuel powering the nuclear renaissance. It is one of the world's largest uranium producers -- with over 433 million pounds of proven and probable reserves -- and it owns 49% of Westinghouse Electric, the company that built the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor and still services most of the global nuclear fleet.
The Westinghouse stake is the piece that makes Cameco more than a miner. Westinghouse is in front of essentially every reactor that comes online globally, both as a services provider to existing plants and as the manufacturer of the AP1000 -- the reactor design currently being deployed in Poland, Bulgaria, and other countries looking to build new nuclear capacity.
Westinghouse has also submitted regulatory plans and begun construction of its AP300 small modular reactor, designed for industrial sites, remote communities, and defense facilities.
In 2025, Cameco and Brookfield signed a binding term sheet with the U.S. Department of Commerce to accelerate Westinghouse reactor deployments globally, with an aggregate investment value of at least $80 billion. The U.S. government is now an active partner in scaling Westinghouse's production. If nuclear expands globally over the next two decades, and all evidence points that way, the fuel and the reactor technology both run through Cameco.
Today's Change
(
0.78
%) $
0.82
Current Price
$
106.49
3. Vistra Vistra (VST +3.02%) doesn't get the same headlines as Constellation, but it is building the same kind of direct hyperscaler relationships with less fanfare. In January 2026, Vistra and Meta announced 20-year PPAs supporting three of Vistra's nuclear plants in the PJM region while also adding new nuclear capacity.
The company operates a fleet of nuclear, natural gas, and energy storage assets, and has been growing its zero-carbon portfolio with discipline and without the kind of transformational acquisition risk that comes with deals like Calpine.
Vistra's thesis over the next 20 years is that firm, dispatchable, carbon-free power becomes one of the most valuable commodities in the economy -- and that whoever owns the plants that produce it at scale will have pricing power that grows alongside AI infrastructure spending. Vistra owns those plants.
Today's Change
(
3.02
%) $
4.79
Current Price
$
163.62
4. Oklo Oklo (OKLO +4.00%) is the highest-risk, highest-reward name on this list, and the only reason I put it here is that the milestones are starting to come in.
Oklo's Aurora powerhouse -- a small modular reactor designed to run on recycled nuclear fuel -- broke ground at the Idaho National Laboratory in September 2025. In March 2026, the company secured a Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis approval from the U.S. Department of Energy, a key step in the reactor authorization process.
Also in January 2026, Meta signed a landmark agreement for Oklo to develop a 1.2 gigawatt nuclear campus in Pike County, Ohio, with Meta providing upfront funding to advance the project.
Today's Change
(
4.00
%) $
2.35
Current Price
$
61.17
Beyond Meta, Oklo has a 12 gigawatt master power agreement with data center developer Switch, pre-agreements with Equinix and Prometheus Hyperscale, and a total order book north of 14 gigawatts. The company will develop, own, and operate its power plants, which means the business model scales with every new facility that comes online.
The other three names on this list have already earned their positions. Oklo is still earning its position. Own it accordingly.
Key Takeaways Vistra has repurchased $6.3B of shares since November 2021, with $1.5B left through 2027.VST funds buybacks with strong free cash flow while investing in nuclear, solar and storage.Vistra's shares rose 13.7% in a month, while its 2026 and 2027 EPS estimates moved higher. Vistra Corp.’s (VST - Free Report) aggressive share repurchase program remains a key pillar of its long-term value creation strategy. Since November 2021, the company has repurchased $6.3 billion of its shares through May 1, 2026, and has $1.5 billion remaining under its current authorization through 2027. By reducing its share count, Vistra enhances key per-share metrics, including earnings per share and free cash flow, thereby increasing shareholder value.
Vistra funds its share repurchases through robust free cash flow generation rather than increased borrowing, highlighting the discipline of the capital allocation strategy. For 2026, the company expects adjusted FCFbG (adjusted free cash flow before growth less cash flow from operating activities from the Asset Closure segment before growth) of $3.9-$4.7 billion, supported by strong liquidity. This financial strength enables Vistra to continue buybacks while investing in high-return growth opportunities, including nuclear energy, solar and storage projects, and the full ownership of Vistra Vision.
Vistra’s share repurchase strategy aligns well with its transition toward a lower-carbon energy portfolio. As the company expands its renewable and nuclear operations, it continues to generate strong EBITDA and cash flow growth. By allocating excess cash to share buybacks rather than maintaining large cash balances, management demonstrates confidence in the company’s valuation and long-term growth prospects.
The buyback program enhances shareholder value, improves capital efficiency and supports Vistra’s long-term growth outlook, making this a core component of its investment thesis. The ongoing share repurchase of Vistra reduced its outstanding shares by nearly 30%, which has created value for the existing shareholders.
Utilities Use Share Repurchases to Boost Investor ValueShare repurchases enable utilities with stable cash flows to create shareholder value by lowering the number of outstanding shares, boosting earnings per share and demonstrating confidence in their financial strength and long-term prospects.
NextEra Energy (NEE - Free Report) is executing share repurchase programs. The company has used buybacks to complement its dividend policy. The current authorization allows NextEra to buy back 180 million shares over an unspecified period.
NRG Energy (NRG - Free Report) is pursuing an aggressive capital return strategy, targeting $1 billion in share repurchases in 2026. The plan builds on its strong buyback track record, including $950 million repurchased in 2023 and a $1.355 billion accelerated repurchase program launched for 2025. Through April 30, 2026, NRG completed $817 million of share repurchases.
VST’s Earnings Estimates Moving NorthThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vistra’s earnings per share for 2026 and 2027 indicates an increase of 6.77% and 1.54%, respectively, in the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VST Stock’s ROE Higher Than Its IndustryReturn on equity (“ROE”), a profitability measure, reflects how effectively a company is utilizing shareholders’ funds in its operations to generate income.
VST’s trailing 12-month ROE is 105.64%, way ahead of its industry average of 11.09%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
VST Price PerformanceShares of Vistra have gained 13.7% in the past month compared with the Zacks Utility- Electric Power industry’s growth of 0.3%.
Nuclear energy is emerging as a long-term investment theme as artificial intelligence-driven electricity demand accelerates global power needs.
While nuclear projects typically take years or even decades to develop due to regulatory and construction timelines, analysts argue that this structural friction also creates durable competitive advantages for established operators and developers.
Several companies across the nuclear value chain are increasingly being positioned to benefit from long-term contracts with technology firms seeking reliable, carbon-free baseload power.
Constellation Energy is the largest nuclear fleet operator in the United States and has recently expanded its role through long-term agreements with major technology companies.
The company signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Microsoft in 2024 to restart the Three Mile Island facility, now rebranded as the Crane Clean Energy Center, delivering more than 800 megawatts of carbon-free power to Microsoft’s data centers in the PJM region.
The deal has been described as a template for long-term nuclear supply agreements with hyperscalers.
Since then, Constellation has also signed a 20-year PPA with Meta Platforms, extended operating licenses across its Illinois fleet through 2047 and beyond, and completed its $26.6 billion acquisition of Calpine, making it the largest power producer in the United States.
Three Mile Island is expected to return to service in 2027.
The company also recently advanced regulatory progress on its restart plans, with federal waivers supporting earlier-than-expected approvals.
TipRanks data shows that 16 out of 18 analysts have a buy rating for CEG stock with an average price target of $369.56, indicating a 34% upside.
Cameco is positioned as a key supplier in the nuclear fuel cycle, focusing on uranium production and reactor technology exposure through its stake in Westinghouse Electric.
The company holds more than 433 million pounds of proven and probable uranium reserves and owns a 49% stake in Westinghouse, which provides reactor services globally and manufactures the AP1000 reactor design.
The AP1000 is currently being deployed in countries including Poland and Bulgaria.
Westinghouse has also advanced plans for its AP300 small modular reactor, intended for industrial sites, remote communities, and defense applications.
In 2025, Cameco and Brookfield signed a binding term sheet with the US Department of Commerce to accelerate global reactor deployment through Westinghouse, with an aggregate investment value of at least $80 billion.
The US government is now described as an active partner in scaling production.
9 in 11 analysts had a buy rating for CCJ stock, with a $127.04 average price target. This indicates a 19% upside.
Vistra operates a diversified energy portfolio and is building long-term agreements tied to nuclear generation, particularly in the PJM region.
In January 2026, Vistra and Meta Platforms announced 20-year PPAs supporting three nuclear plants while also expanding new nuclear capacity.
The company operates a mix of nuclear, natural gas, and energy storage assets and is increasing its zero-carbon generation portfolio.
Vistra’s investment case is centered on the growing value of firm, dispatchable, carbon-free power, particularly as AI-related infrastructure increases electricity demand.
The company’s strategy focuses on scaling existing nuclear assets rather than pursuing large transformational acquisitions.
All 13 analysts in TipRanks' coverage gave VST stock a buy rating with a target price of $225.25, a 37% upside.
Oklo represents a higher-risk, early-stage nuclear developer focused on small modular reactors and recycled fuel technology.
Its Aurora powerhouse, designed to run on recycled nuclear fuel, broke ground at the Idaho National Laboratory in September 2025.
In March 2026, the company received Preliminary Documented Safety Analysis approval from the US Department of Energy, a key regulatory milestone.
In January 2026, Meta signed an agreement with Oklo to develop a 1.2 gigawatt nuclear campus in Pike County, Ohio, with upfront funding provided to support early development. The project is intended to be anchored by Meta’s long-term electricity demand.
Oklo has also signed agreements across multiple data center operators, including a 12 gigawatt master power agreement with Switch, along with pre-agreements with Equinix and Prometheus Hyperscale. The company reports a total order book exceeding 14 gigawatts.
Oklo’s model includes owning and operating its plants, linking revenue growth directly to deployment scale.
9 out of 15 analysts gave OKLO stock a buy rating, indicating a 53% upside at a price target of $93.92.
Nano Nuclear Energy is also drawing analyst attention as interest in micro-modular reactors increases amid rising AI-driven electricity demand.
Roth Capital Partners initiated coverage on NNE stock with a buy rating and a $45 price target, implying about 60% upside. Analyst Craig Irwin highlighted progress on the company’s KRONOS micro-modular reactor.
“Management is making rapid progress toward commercializing its 15 MWe KRONOS micro-modular-reactor (MMR), while diversifying operations across the uranium lifecycle,” the analyst said in a report to clients. “The opportunity for SMR reactors will likely be very large … and demand is accelerating. Potential advance orders from hyperscalers are an obvious catalyst.”
The analyst also noted rising global electricity demand, which increased by 849 Terawatt-hours in 2025 according to the International Energy Agency.
Nano Nuclear has gained momentum in recent months, supported by expectations of increased energy demand from AI applications.
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 - Free Report) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage.
Vistra currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.12, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 17 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.12 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy.
Of the 17 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 16 are Strong Buy, representing 94.1% of all recommendations.
Brokerage Recommendation Trends for VST
Check price target & stock forecast for Vistra here>>>
While the ABR calls for buying Vistra, it may not be wise to make an investment decision solely based on this information. Several studies have shown limited to no success of brokerage recommendations in guiding investors to pick stocks with the best price increase potential.
Are you wondering why? The vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover often results in a strong positive bias of their analysts in rating it. Our research shows that for every "Strong Sell" recommendation, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations.
In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement.
Zacks Rank, our proprietary stock rating tool with an impressive externally audited track record, categorizes stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), and is an effective indicator of a stock's price performance in the near future. Therefore, using the ABR to validate the Zacks Rank could be an efficient way of making a profitable investment decision.
Zacks Rank Should Not Be Confused With ABRAlthough both Zacks Rank and ABR are displayed in a range of 1--5, they are different measures altogether.
The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5.
It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them.
On the other hand, earnings estimate revisions are at the core of the Zacks Rank. And empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks.
Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements.
Is VST a Good Investment?Looking at the earnings estimate revisions for Vistra, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has remained unchanged over the past month at $9.31.
Analysts' steady views regarding the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by an unchanged consensus estimate, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to perform in line with the broader market in the near term.
The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Vistra. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>
It may therefore be prudent to be a little cautious with the Buy-equivalent ABR for Vistra.
On June 15, 2026, Vistra Corp VST shares rose 3.7% today, closing at $153.52. The stock has fluctuated between a 52-week high of $219.82 and a low of $132.66 during the past year.
GF Value™ verdict: The current price is $153.52, which is 6.6% below the GF Value™ of $164.41.GF Score™: 84/100 (Strong), indicating a strong overall score based on key financial metrics.Most notable signal: Insiders have sold $1.6M worth of shares in the last three months, with no buying activity reported. Is VST Overvalued or Undervalued? Vistra Corp's current stock price of $153.52 is below the GF Value™ estimate of $164.41, indicating that the stock is undervalued by 6.6%. This margin of safety presents an opportunity for potential investors, as the stock is trading at a price that is lower than its estimated intrinsic value. However, caution is warranted as the GF Valuation label is "Fairly Valued," suggesting that while there is potential upside, there may also be inherent risks in the current valuation.
GF Value™ is GuruFocus' proprietary measure of intrinsic value, calculated from historical trading multiples, past business growth, and future performance estimates. Given the current market dynamics and the company's performance metrics, investors may want to consider both the upside potential and the underlying risks before making investment decisions.
How Does VST's Valuation Compare to Its History? Metric Current Historical P/E (TTM) 25.7x 27.5x Forward P/E 17.2x N/A Currently, Vistra Corp's P/E (TTM) of 25.7x is 6% below its 5-year median P/E of 27.5x. Additionally, the forward P/E of 17.2x indicates that analysts expect improved earnings in the near future. This P/E analysis aligns with the GF Value™ verdict that suggests the stock is undervalued, providing further evidence of potential investment opportunities.
What Does VST's GF Score™ Tell Us? Metric Rating GF Score™ 84/100 Financial Strength 4/10 Profitability 6/10 Growth 10/10 Valuation 10/10 Momentum 5/10 The GF Score™ of 84/100 indicates that Vistra Corp is positioned strongly among its peers, particularly in growth (10/10) and valuation (10/10). However, the company shows weaknesses in financial strength (4/10), suggesting potential concerns regarding its balance sheet or liquidity. Overall, the strong growth and valuation scores highlight the company's potential for future performance, while the financial strength score indicates a need for caution.
What Are Insiders Doing with VST Stock? In the last three months, insiders have sold $1.6 million worth of Vistra Corp shares, with no reported buying activity. This pattern of selling could suggest a lack of confidence among insiders regarding the company's near-term prospects or valuation. While insider selling does not inherently indicate a negative outlook, it can serve as a signal for potential investors to proceed with caution.
What This Means for Investors Based on the analysis, Vistra Corp VST appears to be undervalued, with a current price of $153.52 compared to a GF Value™ estimate of $164.41. However, potential investors should take note of the mixed signals from insider activity and the company's financial strength score.
For the complete analysis, visit the Vistra Corp VST stock page. You can also explore the GF Value™ page for detailed valuation methodology, or use the GuruFocus Stock Screener to find similar opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions What is VST's GF Score™?
Vistra Corp has a GF Score™ of 84/100, indicating a strong overall position based on key financial metrics that suggest the potential for higher long-term returns.
Is VST overvalued or undervalued?
VST is currently undervalued, with a GF Value™ estimate of $164.41 compared to the current price of $153.52, representing a 6.6% discount.
What is VST's P/E ratio?
Vistra Corp's P/E TTM is 25.7x, which is currently lower than its 5-year median P/E of 27.5x, suggesting the stock is trading at a lower valuation compared to its historical average.
This stock alert was generated using automated technology and GuruFocus financial data to provide readers with timely and accurate market reporting. This content was reviewed by GuruFocus editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
In the latest close session, Vistra Corp. (VST - Free Report) was up +1.12% at $148.02. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.5%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.7%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 0.31%.
Heading into today, shares of the company had gained 3.16% over the past month, outpacing the Utilities sector's loss of 2.17% and the S&P 500's loss of 0.23%.
The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Vistra Corp. in its forthcoming earnings report. On that day, Vistra Corp. is projected to report earnings of $2.16 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 113.86%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $6.26 billion, up 47.32% from the year-ago period.
For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $9.3 per share and a revenue of $23.02 billion, signifying shifts of +76.81% and +29.76%, respectively, from the last year.
It's also important for investors to be aware of any recent modifications to analyst estimates for Vistra Corp. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. We developed the Zacks Rank to capitalize on this phenomenon. Our system takes these estimate changes into account and delivers a clear, actionable rating model.
The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.05% lower. At present, Vistra Corp. boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
From a valuation perspective, Vistra Corp. is currently exchanging hands at a Forward P/E ratio of 15.74. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 17.8, so one might conclude that Vistra Corp. is trading at a discount comparatively.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 153, which puts it in the bottom 38% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
AI-driven power demand is creating a secular growth story for energy and power infrastructure, shifting market leadership from semiconductors to energy and metals. Williams Companies, EQT Corp., Vistra Corp., and NextEra Energy are positioned at critical points in the AI power supply chain. WMB and EQT benefit from rising natural gas demand; VST leverages wholesale power pricing and Texas data center growth; NEE offers regulated utility dividend growth and data center partnerships.
Two of the most-watched political traders in America, on opposite ends of the spectrum, just bought the same stock. Nancy Pelosi disclosed a Vistra (NYSE: VST) stock purchase tied to a January 16 options exercise executed by her husband, Paul Pelosi. Furthermore, recently released financial disclosures indicate that President Donald Trump bought Vistra shares on February... Donald Trump and Nancy Pelosi Both Recently Bought the Same Underfollowed Stock. It Could Be a Massive AI Winner.
An attractive current yield, consistent dividend growth, and a monthly payout cadence make for an ideal passive income machine for retirement. I detail 2 of my favorite monthly paying dividend growth machines that combine attractive yields with consistently strong dividend growth. I share why they are also attractive in combination, as well as the risks to keep in mind.
The data center buildout doesn't seem like it's about to slow down. As more firms look to step up and supply AI compute, some of which (unlike the cash-rich hyperscalers) are risking their shirts by going into debt, it feels like timing the peak in the AI boom or the beginning of an AI bubble (if there really is one) will get harder to do.
Vistra is rated 'Buy' for its strong positioning to benefit from AI-driven power demand, particularly via nuclear and gas bridge power capabilities. VST's diverse portfolio—second-largest U.S. nuclear fleet and significant gas assets—enables both contracted stability and rapid deployment for data center needs. The company trades at an attractive EV/EBITDA of 9.65 and EV/MW of 1.5x, with the market undervaluing its nuclear and bridge power potential versus peers.
GE Vernova and Vistra are benefiting from soaring electricity demand. Nextpower's backlog is growing as more companies upgrade their solar energy systems.
