Vistra (VST): analysis in plain words
Is Vistra cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
Vistra (VST) is listed on the NYSE and we classify it in utilities and renewables. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against Vistra according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
Vistra (VST) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $120.29 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 20.3x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | -5.5% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 11.6% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.0x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $40.4 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The Vistra figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any VST figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How Vistra makes money
Vistra generates electricity from gas, coal, nuclear and solar plants and sells it in wholesale markets and directly to customers through retail brands like TXU Energy. It reports a Retail segment plus regional segments such as Texas, East and West, with Texas and the PJM region in the eastern U.S. as its key markets.
Over the last 12 months, Vistra brought in revenue of $19.2 billion. For every 100 it sells, Vistra keeps 38.3 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 13.8 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 6,390 full-time employees, that is about $3 million of revenue per employee.
Vistra against its sector
To know whether a Vistra figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares Vistra with the median of the 14 utilities and renewables companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | Vistra | utilities and renewables median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 20.3x | 19.9x (14) |
| Revenue growth | -5.5% | +8.8% (14) |
| Net margin | 11.6% | 14.5% (14) |
| Dividend yield | 0.66% | 3.16% (14) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 3.0x | 4.6x (14) |
In short, against the typical utilities and renewables company, Vistra grows more slowly, earns a thinner margin and pays a lower dividend yield. By size, Vistra ranks number 6 of 6 utilities and renewables companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for Vistra
These are the strengths in the Vistra figures as of November 4, 2026:
- Analysts expect Vistra earnings to rise: its P/E on the next 12 months of estimated earnings is 12.6x, below the current 20.3x.
- Vistra earns 43.0% a year on its shareholders' money (return on equity).
The main risk for Vistra
Vistra stock sits 39% below its 52-week high ($196.80): the market has cut its expectations, and it is worth understanding why first.
On top of that: vistra sales fell 5.5% in the latest quarter against the same quarter a year earlier: if the decline drags on, profit usually follows.
And, like the rest of utilities and renewables, Vistra is exposed to interest rates (it funds grids and plants with a lot of debt) and changes in how its tariffs are regulated.
Frequently asked questions about Vistra
Is it a good time to buy Vistra stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell Vistra, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, Vistra stock trades at $120.29, 39% below its 52-week high ($196.80) and 3% above its low ($117.28). Its P/E is 20.3x against a utilities and renewables median of 19.9x, and 12.6x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With Vistra, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does Vistra pay a dividend?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, Vistra pays $0.92 per share a year, which at today's price is a yield of 0.66%. It uses 15% of its profit to pay it, which leaves room to keep paying it if profit dips. Its average dividend yield over the last five years is 0.96%. The utilities and renewables median on Fintols is 3.16%.
Is Vistra stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, Vistra trades at 20.3x its last 12 months of earnings: in line with the utilities and renewables median (19.9x). Including its debt, Vistra is valued at 10.4x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make Vistra expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are Vistra's competitors?
On Fintols we compare Vistra with American Electric Power, Endesa and Iberdrola, which are also in utilities and renewables. As of November 4, 2026, American Electric Power is worth $70.4 billion and trades on a P/E of 21.1; Endesa is worth €45.5 billion and trades on a P/E of 18.8; Iberdrola is worth €150.8 billion and trades on a P/E of 30.5. Each has a side-by-side comparison with Vistra below.
Vistra competitors
- American Electric Power (AEP) analysis · Vistra vs American Electric Power comparison
- Endesa (ELE) analysis · Vistra vs Endesa comparison
- Iberdrola (IBE) analysis · Vistra vs Iberdrola comparison
To understand Vistra better
- Dividend Growth Investing: FCF Payout Ratio and Compounding
- How to Read a Balance Sheet: A Beginner's Guide
More companies like Vistra: utilities and renewables stocks and S&P 500 companies. Open the full VST analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about Vistra, not investment advice.