Should I Buy VST? VST 2026 Analysis

Should You Buy Vistra Corp (VST) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.

Conclusion

Hold

Latest Price

162.580

1 Day change

-1.85%

52 Week Range

219.820

Analysis Updated At

2026/01/26

Vistra Corp (VST) is not a strong buy at the moment for a beginner investor with a long-term strategy. The stock is currently showing bearish technical indicators, mixed analyst sentiment, and declining financial performance in the latest quarter. While there are no strong negative catalysts, the lack of significant positive momentum or trading signals suggests holding off on a purchase for now.

Technical Analysis

The stock is showing bearish signals with the MACD histogram at -0.184 and negatively expanding, RSI at 43.165 in the neutral zone, and bearish moving averages (SMA_200 > SMA_20 > SMA_5). Key support is at 156.56, with resistance at 167.558. The pre-market price is 159.52, down 0.37%, indicating weakness.

Options Data

Bearish

Open Interest Put-Call Ratio

Bullish

Option Volume Put-Call Ratio

The Open Interest Put-Call Ratio of 1.38 suggests more puts than calls, indicating bearish sentiment. However, the Option Volume Put-Call Ratio of 0.65 shows higher call volume today, which could suggest short-term optimism.

Technical Summary

Sell

Buy

Positive Catalysts

Analysts maintain an Overweight rating on the stock, citing potential benefits from electrification, hyperscale-driven demand, and policy support. The company's diversified generation mix and strong cash flow are also seen as positives.

Neutral/Negative Catalysts

The company's Q3 financial performance showed a significant decline in net income (-67.17% YoY) and EPS (-66.67% YoY), which raises concerns about profitability. Additionally, bearish technical indicators and geopolitical tensions in the utility sector could pose challenges.

Financial Performance

In Q3 2025, revenue increased by 13.16% YoY to $4.917 billion, but net income dropped by 67.17% YoY to $604 million. EPS also fell by 66.67% YoY to 1.75. Gross margin improved to 42.44%, up 10.29% YoY, but the overall profitability metrics are weak.

Growth

Profitability

Efficiency

Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends

Analysts have mixed views. While firms like Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo, and BMO Capital maintain Overweight or Outperform ratings with price targets in the $227-$236 range, others like Goldman Sachs have downgraded the stock due to concerns about growth constraints and service quality issues.

11 Analyst Rating

Wall Street analysts forecast VST stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for VST is 240.09 USD with a low forecast of 217 USD and a high forecast of 287 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

11 Buy

0 Hold

0 Sell

Strong Buy

Current: 165.640

Low

217

Averages

240.09

High

287

Current: 165.640

Low

217

Averages

240.09

High

287

Morgan Stanley

Overweight

maintain

$228 -> $227

AI Analysis

2026-01-21

Reason

Morgan Stanley

Price Target

$228 -> $227

AI Analysis

2026-01-21

maintain

Overweight

Reason

Morgan Stanley lowered the firm's price target on Vistra to $227 from $228 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. The firm is updating its Regulated & Diversified Utilities / IPPs in North America under its coverage, noting utilities underperformed the S&P's return in December, the analyst tells investors.

Wells Fargo

Shahriar Pourreza

Overweight

maintain

$238 -> $236

2026-01-20

Reason

Wells Fargo

Shahriar Pourreza

Price Target

$238 -> $236

2026-01-20

maintain

Overweight

Reason

Wells Fargo analyst Shahriar Pourreza lowered the firm's price target on Vistra to $236 from $238 and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares, as it fits within the absolute call on IPPs. Cogentrix deal and nuclear deal accelerated what the firm saw as longer term catalysts. Wells sees additional nuclear and fossil capacity eligible for contract.

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VST Should I Buy

VST Should I Buy

Should You Buy Vistra Corp (VST) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.

Technical Analysis

Options Data

Technical Summary

Positive Catalysts

Neutral/Negative Catalysts

Financial Performance

Growth

Profitability

Efficiency

Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends

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