Today we're going to take a look at the well-established Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST). The company's stock saw a significant share price rise of over 20% in the past couple of months on the NYSE. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stock's share price. However, could the stock still be trading at a relatively cheap price? Today I will analyse the most recent data on Vistra's outlook and valuation to see if the opportunity still exists.
Check out our latest analysis for Vistra
What's The Opportunity In Vistra?
Good news, investors! Vistra is still a bargain right now according to my price multiple model, which compares the company's price-to-earnings ratio to the industry average. I've used the price-to-earnings ratio in this instance because there's not enough visibility to forecast its cash flows. The stock's ratio of 10.43x is currently well-below the industry average of 24.82x, meaning that it is trading at a cheaper price relative to its peers. What's more interesting is that, Vistra's share price is quite stable, which could mean two things: firstly, it may take the share price a while to move closer to its industry peers, and secondly, there may be less chances to buy low in the future once it reaches that value. This is because the stock is less volatile than the wider market given its low beta.
What does the future of Vistra look like?
Future outlook is an important aspect when you're looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that it's the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Though in the case of Vistra, it is expected to deliver a highly negative earnings growth in the next few years, which doesn't help build up its investment thesis. It appears that risk of future uncertainty is high, at least in the near term.
What This Means For You
Are you a shareholder? Although VST is currently trading below the industry PE ratio, the adverse prospect of negative growth brings about some degree of risk. I recommend you think about whether you want to increase your portfolio exposure to VST, or whether diversifying into another stock may be a better move for your total risk and return.
Are you a potential investor? If you've been keeping tabs on VST for some time, but hesitant on making the leap, I recommend you research further into the stock. Given its current price multiple, now is a great time to make a decision. But keep in mind the risks that come with negative growth prospects in the future.
If you want to dive deeper into Vistra, you'd also look into what risks it is currently facing. For example, Vistra has 3 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about.
If you are no longer interested in Vistra, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.