Northwest Natural Gas Co (NWN)vsVistra Energy Corp (VST)
NWN
Northwest Natural Gas Co
$53.12
-0.47%
UTILITIES · Cap: $2.24B
VST
Vistra Energy Corp
$157.84
+2.63%
UTILITIES · Cap: $53.44B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Vistra Energy Corp generates 1276% more annual revenue ($17.74B vs $1.29B). NWN leads profitability with a 8.8% profit margin vs 5.3%. VST appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.36. NWN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).
NWN
Buy64
out of 100
Grade: C+
VST
Buy53
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+32.4%
Fair Value
$72.25
Current Price
$53.12
$19.13 discount
Margin of Safety
-54.4%
Fair Value
$100.34
Current Price
$157.84
$57.50 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 25.4%
Earnings expanding 24.1% YoY
Large-cap with strong market position
Areas to Watch
ROE of 7.9% — below average capital efficiency
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
5.3% margin — thin
Weak financial health signals
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Trading at 20.4x book value
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : NWN
The strongest argument for NWN centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, EPS Growth.
Bull Case : VST
The strongest argument for VST centers on Market Cap. Revenue growth of 13.6% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 1.36 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : NWN
The primary concerns for NWN are Return on Equity, Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio. Debt-to-equity of 1.76 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Bear Case : VST
The primary concerns for VST are Profit Margin, Piotroski F-Score, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 72.4x leaves little room for execution misses. Debt-to-equity of 3.36 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
VST carries more volatility with a beta of 1.50 — expect wider price swings.
VST is growing revenue faster at 13.6% — sustainability is the question.
VST generates stronger free cash flow (-82M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
NWN scores higher overall (64/100 vs 53/100). Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Northwest Natural Gas Co
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS · USA
Northwest Natural Holding Company, through its subsidiary, Northwest Natural Gas Company, provides regulated natural gas distribution services to residential, commercial, industrial and transportation customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The company is headquartered in Portland, Oregon.
Visit Website →Vistra Energy Corp
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS · USA
Vistra Corp. The company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Visit Website →Compare with Other UTILITIES - REGULATED GAS Stocks
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