- Is Vistra (VST) Still a Good AI Stock to Buy? Grok Says Yes
May 13, 2026
We just covered
Grok’s Latest Stock Portfolio in 2026: Elon Musk’s AI Chatbot’s Top 10 Stock Picks. Vistra Corp (NYSE:VST) ranks #3 (see Grok’s Latest Stock Portfolio in 2026: AI Assistant’s Top 5 Stock Picks).
Number of Hedge Funds: 102
Surging electricity demand amid the AI data center boom drives the bull case for Vistra Corp (NYSE:VST). The electricity producer has about 5 million retail customers. Major names like Meta and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are its customers via long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for data centers.
What’s Vistra Corp’s (NYSE:VST) moat? The company has one of the largest competitive fleets in key markets (ERCOT/Texas and PJM), with flexible dispatchable gas + reliable baseload nuclear. This gives it an edge in meeting 24/7 demand that renewables can’t reliably provide.
Vistra recently posted strong first-quarter results and maintained its full-year outlook. The company said hyperscalers are still actively pursuing large power deals despite regulatory uncertainty. Core profitability rose about 20% year over year in the first quarter. The full-year guidance does not include contributions from its pending Cogentrix acquisition or long-term power agreements with Meta.
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While we acknowledge the potential of VST as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and Cathie Wood 2026 Portfolio: 10 Best Stocks to Buy.
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- Is Trending Stock Vistra Corp. (VST) a Buy Now?
May 13, 2026
Vistra Corp. (VST) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.
Over the past month, shares of this company have returned -10.4%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +8.8% change. During this period, the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry, which Vistra falls in, has lost 4.2%. 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.
Earnings Estimate Revisions
Rather 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.
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 $2.18 per share, indicating a change of +115.8% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -3.6% over the last 30 days.
For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $9.16 points to a change of +74.1% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +5.1%.
For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $11.44 indicates a change of +24.8% from what Vistra is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed +3.5%.
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).
Story Continues
The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:
12 Month EPS12-month consensus EPS estimate for VST
Revenue Growth Forecast
While 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 $6.2 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +45.8%. For the current and next fiscal years, $24 billion and $25.4 billion estimates indicate +35.3% and +5.8% changes, respectively.
Last Reported Results and Surprise History
Vistra 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.
Valuation
Without 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.
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 B on this front, indicating that it is trading at a discount to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.
Conclusion
The 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.
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Vistra Corp. (VST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).
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- Is Trending Stock Vistra Corp. (VST) a Buy Now?
May 13, 2026 · zacks.com
Vistra (VST) has received quite a bit of attention from Zacks.com users lately. Therefore, it is wise to be aware of the facts that can impact the stock's prospects.
- Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Wendy's, Vestis, Cleanspark, Under Armour & more
May 12, 2026
Check out the companies making the biggest moves midday: Vestis — The uniform and apparel maker surged more than 30% after its fiscal second-quarter results beat expectations. Vestis also raised its fiscal 2026 EBITDA outlook. Zebra Technologies — The automation stock popped 17% on better-than-expected Q1 results. Zebra earned $4.75 per share, excluding certain items, on revenue of $1.5 billion. Analysts polled by FactSet expected a profit of $4.25 per share on revenue of $1.48 billion. Q2 guidance also exceeded estimates. Ralliant — The maker of high precision instruments and sensors jumped 14% on the back of first-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations. Ralliant earned an adjusted 57 cents per share. That's above the company's guidance and a FactSet consensus of 49 cents per share. Hub Group — Shares fell more than 10% after the transportation and logistics company said it would restate its year-end 2024 and 2023 results. Under Armour — The sportswear company slid 18% after posting a loss of 3 cents on revenue of $1.17 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG were anticipating a loss of 2 cents on revenue of $1.68 billion. GameStop , eBay — Shares of GameStop dropped more than 2% after online retailer eBay turned down a $56 billion takeover bid Tuesday from the electronics retailer over doubts over the financing of the deal. Shares of Ebay were slightly higher. On Holding — The running shoes maker fell 4% even after it reported first-quarter earnings and revenue that beat analyst expectations. On also reiterated its full-year net sales growth outlook and increased its earnings guidance. Wendy's — Shares rallied more than 16% after The Financial Times reported , citing people familiar with the matter, that Nelson Peltz's Trian Fund Management was looking to raise funds for a bid to take the fast food chain private. ZoomInfo Technologies — Shares of the market intelligence platform tumbled more than 33% after cutting full year revenue guidance to a range of $1.185 billion to $1.205 billion. The company's prior forecast ranged between $1.247 billion and $1.267 billion. Hims & Hers Health — Shares tumbled 14% after the telehealth company issued disappointing earnings guidance . AST SpaceMobile — The developer of satellites tumbled 13% after it reported a larger-than-expected loss for the first quarter. The company also reaffirmed its full-year revenue guidance or $150 million to $200 million. GitLab — Shares plunged 11% after CEO Bill Staples outlined a broad restructuring plan tied to the software company's move into agentic AI, including workforce reductions, management cuts and a more narrow geographic footprint. Gitlab said it plans to reduce the number of countries in which it operates by up to 30%, remove as much as three layers of management, reorganize research and development into roughly 60 smaller teams and expand agentic AI in internal processes. The firm did not specify how many positions will be eliminated or the expected financial impact but said details will be shared on its June 2 earnings call. Webtoon Entertainment — The online platform dropped 9% after the company guided for second-quarter revenue in the range of $332 million to $342 million. Analysts polled by FactSet were looking for $348 million. The company's second-quarter adjusted EBITDA forecast of between zero and $5 million also fell short of the anticipated $12.1 million. Meanwhile, Webtoon's first-quarter revenue of $320.9 million also missed the $321.6 million consensus estimate. Cleanspark — The bitcoin miner and data center developer slid 9%. Second-quarter losses came in wider than anticipated at $1.52 per share, while analysts polled by FactSet sought a loss of 56 cents per share. Second-quarter revenue also missed the mark, landing at $136.4 million compared with $145.4 million expected. Mara Holdings — Shares of the crypto miner lost 10%. Mara posted a first-quarter loss of $3.31 per share, greater than the loss of $1.51 per share analysts anticipated, according to FactSet. Revenue came in weaker than anticipated at $174.6 million, versus the $181.9 million estimate. — CNBC's Lisa Kailai Han and Darla Mercado contributed reporting
- Vistra Expands Gas Capacity And Data Center Ties With AI Power Deals
May 12, 2026
Get insights on thousands of stocks from the global community of over 7 million individual investors at Simply Wall St.
Vistra (NYSE:VST) is pursuing the acquisition of Cogentrix Energy's 5.5 GW natural gas portfolio, adding a large set of gas fired generation assets to its platform. The company has also entered new long term power agreements with hyperscale data center partners to supply electricity to major technology customers. Together, these moves link Vistra more closely to the growing power needs of AI infrastructure and large scale data centers.
For you as an investor, this combination of a large gas asset purchase and fresh multi year data center contracts places Vistra at the center of two major themes: reliable thermal generation and increasing digital power needs. The company already operates as an integrated power producer, and this set of deals adds more physical capacity while tying output to customers with steady, around the clock demand.
Looking ahead, the key questions will be how efficiently Vistra integrates the 5.5 GW portfolio and how the economics of the new data center agreements compare with other power sales. Readers may want to watch future disclosures on contract length, pricing structures, and any related capital spending, since those details will shape the risk and return profile of NYSE:VST as data center power use changes over time.
Stay updated on the most important news stories for Vistra by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on Vistra.NYSE:VST Earnings & Revenue Growth as at May 2026
📰 Beyond the headline: 1 risk and 2 things going right for Vistra that every investor should see.
The Cogentrix deal and new hyperscale power agreements pull Vistra further into two capital intensive areas: large scale gas generation and long term data center supply. That combination ties the business more closely to AI infrastructure demand than many regulated utilities such as NextEra Energy, Duke Energy or Southern Company. For you, the core question is how these new assets and contracts interact with Vistra’s existing project pipeline, debt load and hedging strategy. The company already has 4.5 GW of capacity additions recently completed or in process and has been active on buybacks and dividends, so another 5.5 GW of gas capacity plus fresh long term commitments adds complexity around integration, financing and future regulation of fossil assets.
How This Fits Into The Vistra Narrative
The pending 5.5 GW gas portfolio and long term hyperscale contracts align with the narrative that rising AI and data center demand can support higher utilization of Vistra assets and more visible cash flows. Relying further on gas generation increases exposure to decarbonization policy and commodity price volatility, which the narrative already flags as potential threats to margins and earnings stability. The specific contract terms with hyperscalers, and how Cogentrix assets are integrated operationally and financially, may not be fully reflected in current narrative assumptions around asset mix and project execution risk.
Story Continues
Knowing what a company is worth starts with understanding its story. Check out one of the top narratives in the Simply Wall St Community for Vistra to help decide what it's worth to you.
The Risks and Rewards Investors Should Consider
⚠️ Greater dependence on gas fired assets could increase sensitivity to future emissions rules, potential carbon pricing and environmental regulations. ⚠️ Integrating 5.5 GW of acquired capacity alongside existing growth projects could pressure execution and keep leverage elevated if cash generation or power prices do not match expectations. 🎁 Long term power agreements with hyperscale data center customers create a clearer demand anchor for both existing and acquired plants, which can help support utilization and contract backed revenue. 🎁 The combination of expanded capacity, ongoing share repurchases and dividend payments indicates that Vistra is using multiple tools to translate its growth projects into shareholder focused capital allocation.
What To Watch Going Forward
From here, it is worth tracking regulatory approvals and closing terms for the Cogentrix acquisition, including any updates on how Vistra plans to fund and hedge the additional 5.5 GW of gas capacity. Future disclosures around the pricing structure, duration and credit protections in data center contracts, including those tied to nuclear assets, will also help you gauge how resilient cash flows could be if power markets or policy move against gas. Analysts have flagged 2 key rewards and 1 important risk for Vistra, so watching how leverage, credit ratings and project execution progress relative to that risk balance can help you judge whether the current growth path matches your own tolerance for capital intensive expansion.
To ensure you're always in the loop on how the latest news impacts the investment narrative for Vistra, head to the community page for Vistra to never miss an update on the top community narratives.
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.
Companies discussed in this article include VST.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com
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- Vistra: Locked Into A Virtuous Cycle
May 12, 2026 · seekingalpha.com
Vistra remains a BUY, positioned as a long-term compounder with over 30% EPS growth projected through 2028. VST's growth is driven by rising AI/data center power demand, disciplined asset acquisitions, and a commercial strategy focused on margin visibility via hedging. Recent acquisitions, including Cogentrix, will expand capacity by 20% through 2027 and boost dispatch rates and GWh sold by 24%.
- The AI Data Center Backlash Is Growing. Kevin O’Leary’s $1 Billion Stratos Project Reveals Why
May 12, 2026
Quick Read
The Big Four hyperscalers (Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms) are spending over $725 billion combined this year on AI infrastructure, creating massive demand for chips, power generation, cooling systems, and materials like copper, benefiting companies including Nvidia, Constellation Energy, and Freeport-McMoRan. Community opposition to massive AI data center projects is emerging as a critical bottleneck to the infrastructure buildout, with residents in Utah, Virginia, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas raising concerns about water consumption, power demands, and environmental impact that could delay multibillion-dollar projects and reshape where AI facilities get built. The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks. Get them here FREE.
Artificial intelligence is setting off the biggest infrastructure buildout since the early internet boom. Only this time, the stakes are larger, the power demands are higher, and the local pushback is louder.
The world's biggest tech companies are racing to build AI capacity because whoever controls the computing power may control the next decade of software, advertising, cloud services, and automation. But as investors chase chip stocks and AI winners, a new problem is emerging: communities increasingly do not want these giant facilities in their backyards.
Kevin O'Leary's proposed Stratos Project in Utah shows exactly why that resistance is becoming the industry's newest bottleneck.
The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 stocks. Get them here FREE.
AI's Infrastructure Arms Race Is Reshaping Entire Industries
The numbers attached to the AI boom are staggering. According to company guidance and analyst estimates from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, the Big Four hyperscalers -- Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)(NASDAQ:GOOGL), and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) -- are expected to spend upwards of $725 billion combined this year on AI infrastructure, data centers, chips, networking equipment, and energy systems.
That spending spree has created ripple effects throughout the economy.
Here's what the numbers tell us:
Industry Why It Benefits Key Companies AI chips GPUs power AI training and inference Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) Optical networking AI data transfer requires faster photonics Coherent (NASDAQ:COHR), Lumentum Holdings (NASDAQ:LITE) Utilities Data centers consume enormous electricity Constellation Energy (NYSE:CEG), Vistra (NYSE:VST) Copper mining Miles of cables are needed for power and networking Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX) Water infrastructure Cooling systems require huge water supplies American Water Works (NYSE:AWK)
Surprisingly, some Wall Street analysts now describe data centers as the new railroads -- foundational infrastructure supporting entire economic ecosystems. Simply put, AI cannot exist without massive physical construction projects.
Story Continues
And these are not small server rooms anymore. Modern AI campuses can span thousands of acres, require dedicated substations, and consume as much electricity as mid-sized cities.
Beyond the code lies a massive physical footprint consuming city-sized power and triggering a new era of local resistance.
Kevin O'Leary's Stratos Project Shows Why Opposition Is Growing
That brings us to the proposed Stratos Project in Box Elder County, Utah. Backed by Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, the AI data center campus would cover roughly 40,000 acres. The development could eventually include dozens of data centers alongside power infrastructure, water systems, and industrial facilities.
Supporters say the project would create construction jobs, long-term technology employment, and tax revenue. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has supported expanding the state's technology footprint.
But critics see something else entirely. Utah State University physics professor Robert Davies warns the facility could generate the equivalent thermal output of 23 atomic bombs per day. That comparison refers to waste heat released into the surrounding environment from the immense energy consumption required to operate AI systems.
Granted, the comparison is designed to provoke attention, but it underscores how massive these facilities have become.
Residents and environmental groups are raising concerns about:
Water consumption in an already drought-prone region Strain on electric grids Rising utility costs for residents Noise pollution from cooling systems Land use disruption across tens of thousands of acres Environmental degradation tied to power generation
A single hyperscale AI data center can require more than 1 gigawatt of electricity -- roughly equivalent to the power needs of hundreds of thousands of homes. Regardless of how you look at it, communities notice when utility infrastructure starts prioritizing server farms over households.
The Real AI Bottleneck May Not Be Technology
Investors have spent the past two years worrying about AI compute shortages, chip supply constraints, memory bottlenecks, and power availability.
Those are real concerns. High-bandwidth memory, or HBM, remains supply constrained. Utilities are warning about surging electricity demand. Grid operators from Texas to Virginia are scrambling to add capacity.
But local resistance may become the industry's biggest obstacle because delays cost money. A one-year delay on a multibillion-dollar AI campus can ripple through semiconductor orders, utility investments, and cloud deployment timelines.
Organized opposition groups are emerging across multiple states. In Virginia -- the world's largest data center market -- residents have protested new construction projects over power use and land consumption. Similar fights are unfolding in Arizona, Georgia, and Texas.
In short, the AI boom is colliding with physical reality.
The technology sector spent years operating in the digital world where growth felt limitless. Data centers remind everyone that AI still depends on land, water, electricity, mining, and industrial construction.
Key Takeaway
The AI infrastructure boom still looks like a long-term investment opportunity. The hyperscalers are unlikely to slow spending while the race for AI dominance remains this intense. That continues benefiting chipmakers, utilities, networking companies, and industrial suppliers.
But sharp investors should recognize that a new risk has emerged. The real bottleneck may not be chips or electricity. It may be public tolerance. Kevin O'Leary's Stratos Project shows how quickly enthusiasm for AI jobs can turn into opposition once communities confront the scale of these developments. That tension could slow projects, raise costs, and reshape where AI infrastructure gets built over the next decade.
Investors who ignore that political and environmental reality may be missing one of the most important parts of the AI story.
The analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks
This analyst's 2025 picks are up 106% on average. He just named his top 10 stocks to buy in 2026. Get them here FREE.
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- Vistra: Don't Underestimate The Nuclear Energy Potential
May 12, 2026 · seekingalpha.com
Since I last checked on power producer Vistra in December 2025, its price has expectedly underwhelmed. But given the developments since, I believe the markets are underpricing the promising stock. Its power purchase agreements with Amazon and Meta for the provision of nuclear energy alone imply the possible growth potential, not to mention the possibility of a premium on market valuations. The company's expansion of gas assets with the purchase of Cogentrix Energy, after it bought Lotus Infrastructure Partners' gas assets last year, also works in its favor.
- The AI Data Center Backlash Is Growing. Kevin O’Leary’s $1 Billion Stratos Project Reveals Why
May 12, 2026 · 247wallst.com
Artificial intelligence is setting off the biggest infrastructure buildout since the early internet boom. Only this time, the stakes are larger, the power demands are higher, and the local pushback is louder. The world's biggest tech companies are racing to build AI capacity because whoever controls the computing power may control the next decade of... The AI Data Center Backlash Is Growing. Kevin O'Leary's $1 Billion Stratos Project Reveals Why
- Vistra Corp. (VST) – Among the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires
May 12, 2026
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is included among the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires.Vistra Corp. (VST) - Among the 10 Best Robinhood Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires
On May 7, Reuters reported that Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) swung to a quarterly profit as rising power demand and higher electricity prices lifted results. The company’s shares climbed 4.2% in premarket trading following the report. Power companies across the US have been increasing prices and boosting capital spending as they work to expand infrastructure and keep up with growing demand from technology companies building artificial intelligence data centers.
Reuters further reported that beyond AI, electricity demand in the US is also expected to rise sharply through this year and next, supported by cryptocurrency growth and the transition toward electric heating and transportation. Earlier this year, Vistra agreed to acquire Cogentrix Energy from Quantum Capital Group for about $4.7 billion. The deal followed the company’s 2025 Lotus acquisition as it continued expanding to meet higher power demand. The company expects annual load growth of 5% to 6% in Texas’ ERCOT grid and 2% to 3% in the PJM region.
Interest expenses during the first quarter fell more than 17% to $263 million. Its Texas segment reported adjusted core profit of $586 million, up more than 19% from a year earlier. The East segment, which includes the PJM and New England regions, posted growth of 55.8%. The company reported net income of $980 million for the three months ended March 31. A year earlier, it had posted a loss of $317 million. Vistra also reaffirmed its 2026 adjusted core profit outlook from continuing operations in the range of $6.8 billion to $7.6 billion.
Vistra Corp. (NYSE:VST) is an integrated retail electricity and power generation company serving customers, businesses, and communities across the U.S., from California to Maine.
While we acknowledge the potential of VST as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
READ NEXT: 10 Best Inflation-Hedge Stocks to Buy for 2026 and 10 Best Stocks to Buy to Beat the S&P 500
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