The chart below shows how VST performed 10 days before and after its earnings report, based on data from the past quarters. Typically, VST sees a -7.72% change in stock price 10 days leading up to the earnings, and a +3.31% change 10 days following the report. On the earnings day itself, the stock moves by +2.20%. This data can give you a slight idea of what to expect for the next quarter's release.
Positive
Adjusted EBITDA Guidance Increase: 1. Strong Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: Vistra raised its 2024 ongoing operations adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $5.0 billion to $5.2 billion, with a midpoint above the previous upper end of the range, reflecting strong operational performance.
Free Cash Flow Guidance Increase: 2. Increased Free Cash Flow Guidance: The company also raised its ongoing operations adjusted free cash flow guidance for 2024 to a range of $2.65 billion to $2.85 billion, indicating improved cash generation capabilities.
Share Repurchase Strategy: 3. Significant Share Repurchases: In Q3 2024, Vistra repurchased approximately $400 million of shares at an average price of $83 per share, contributing to a total of about $3.5 billion allocated to share repurchases at a significant discount to recent share prices.
Operational Excellence Achieved: 4. High Commercial Availability: The generation team achieved an impressive overall commercial availability of approximately 96% for the gas and coal fleet, and a capacity factor of approximately 98% for the nuclear fleet, showcasing operational excellence.
Energy Harbor Contribution: 5. Positive Contribution from Energy Harbor: The inclusion of Energy Harbor in Q3 results contributed approximately $165 million to generation and $35 million to retail, enhancing overall financial performance.
Negative
Weather-Related Earnings Decline: 1. Weather Impact: The third quarter did not benefit from the same weather opportunities as last year, which added approximately $300 million to earnings in Q3 2023, indicating a significant decline in earnings potential due to milder weather conditions.
Wholesale Price Decline: 2. Lower Wholesale Prices: Despite solid operational performance, the company faced lower cleared wholesale prices compared to last year, which negatively impacted revenue generation.
Rising Power Expenses: 3. Increased Power Costs: The retail segment experienced higher power costs compared to 2023, which could pressure margins and overall profitability moving forward.
Capacity Auction Delay Impact: 4. Delayed Capacity Auction: The delay in the 2026, 2027 PJM capacity auction introduces uncertainty regarding future revenue and operational planning, potentially affecting earnings forecasts.
Net Leverage Concerns: 5. Net Debt Increase: Net leverage is expected to move slightly above 3 times ongoing operations adjusted EBITDA with the closing of the Vistra Vision 15% minority interest purchase, indicating a potential strain on financial flexibility.
Vistra Corp. (VST) Q3 2024 Earnings Call Transcript
VST.N
-28.27%