Why Vistra stock is sliding after the $4.7 billion Cogentrix deal
New York, January 7, 2026, 14:57 EST — Regular session Vistra Corp (NYSE:VST) shares fell about 8% to $155.93 on Wednesday afternoon. The stock was down $13.60 from its previous close. Moody’s affirmed Vistra’s Ba1 corporate family rating but revised its outlook to stable from positive after the company agreed to buy a 5.5-gigawatt gas portfolio from Cogentrix. The agency cited Vistra’s “acquisitive appetite and financial policy,” saying the transaction delays the company’s expected deleveraging. Investing.com Vistra announced on Monday it would buy Cogentrix Energy from Quantum Capital Group for about $4.7 billion, adding 10 natural gas plants across PJM,