Vistra 10-Q 2023-09-30
Filed 2023-11-07. 8 sections, 506K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| ☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
— OR —
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from __ to __
Commission File Number 001-38086
Vistra Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 36-4833255 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6555 Sierra Drive, | Irving, | Texas | 75039 | (214) | 812-4600 | |||||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) | (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
| Common stock, par value $0.01 per share | VST | New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
| Warrants | VST.WS.A | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of November 2, 2023, there were 357,552,337 shares of common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding of Vistra Corp.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vistra Corp.'s (Vistra) annual reports, quarterly reports, current reports and any amendments to those reports are made available to the public, free of charge, on the Vistra website at http://www.vistracorp.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additionally, Vistra posts important information, including press releases, investor presentations, sustainability reports, and notices of upcoming events on its website and utilizes its website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Investors may be notified of posting to the website by signing up for email alerts and RSS feeds on the "Investor Relations" page of Vistra's website. The information on Vistra's website shall not be deemed a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. The representations and warranties contained in any agreement that we have filed as an exhibit to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or that we have or may publicly file in the future, may contain representations and warranties that may (i) be made by and to the parties thereto at specific dates, (ii) be subject to exceptions and qualifications contained in separate disclosure schedules, (iii) represent the parties' risk allocation in the particular transaction, or (iv) be qualified by materiality standards that differ from what may be viewed as material for securities law purposes.
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Vistra and its subsidiaries occasionally make references to Vistra (or "we," "our," "us" or "the Company"), Luminant, TXU Energy, Ambit, Value Based Brands, Dynegy Energy Services, Homefield Energy, TriEagle Energy, Public Power or U.S. Gas & Electric, when describing actions, rights or obligations of their respective subsidiaries. These references reflect the fact that the subsidiaries are consolidated with, or otherwise reflected in, the Vistra financial statements for financial reporting purposes. However, these references should not be interpreted to imply that the parent company is actually undertaking the action or has the rights or obligations of the relevant subsidiary company or vice versa.
i
GLOSSARY
When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report, they have the meanings indicated below.
| 2022 Form 10-K | Vistra's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2023 | |||||||
| Ambit | Ambit Holdings, LLC, and/or its subsidiaries (d/b/a Ambit), depending on context | |||||||
| ARO | asset retirement and mining reclamation obligation | |||||||
| CAISO | The California Independent System Operator | |||||||
| CARES Act | Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act | |||||||
| CCGT | combined cycle gas turbine | |||||||
| CCR | coal combustion residuals | |||||||
| CFTC | U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission | |||||||
| CME | Chicago Mercantile Exchange | |||||||
| CO****2 | carbon dioxide | |||||||
| CPUC | California Public Utilities Commission | |||||||
| Crius | Crius Energy Trust and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context | |||||||
| Dynegy | Dynegy Inc., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context | |||||||
| Dynegy Energy Services | Dynegy Energy Services, LLC and Dynegy Energy Services (East), LLC (each d/b/a Dynegy, Better Buy Energy, Brighten Energy, Honor Energy and True Fit Energy), indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of Vistra, that are REPs in certain areas of MISO and PJM, respectively, and are engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers. | |||||||
| Dynegy Merger | the merger of Dynegy with and into Vistra, with Vistra as the surviving corporation | |||||||
| Dynegy Merger Date | April 9, 2018, the date Vistra and Dynegy completed the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 29, 2017, by and between Vistra and Dynegy | |||||||
| EBITDA | earnings (net income) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization | |||||||
| Effective Date | October 3, 2016, the date our predecessor completed its reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code | |||||||
| Emergence | emergence of our predecessor from reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code as subsidiaries of a newly formed company, Vistra, on the Effective Date | |||||||
| Energy Harbor | Energy Harbor Corp., and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context | |||||||
| EPA | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | |||||||
| ERCOT | Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. | |||||||
| ESS | energy storage system | |||||||
| Exchange Act | Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended | |||||||
| FERC | U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |||||||
| GAAP | generally accepted accounting principles | |||||||
| GHG | greenhouse gas | |||||||
| GWh | gigawatt-hours | |||||||
| Green Finance Framework | Framework adopted by the Company and made available on its website pursuant to which the Company may issue financial instruments to fund new or existing projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency, with alignment to the Company's environmental, social, and governance strategy | |||||||
| Homefield Energy | Illinois Power Marketing Company (d/b/a Homefield Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to municipal customers | |||||||
| ICE | Intercontinental Exchange | |||||||
| IEPA | Illinois Environmental Protection Agency | |||||||
| IPCB | Illinois Pollution Control Board | |||||||
| IRA | Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 | |||||||
| IRC | Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended | |||||||
| IRS | U.S. Internal Revenue Service |
ii
| ISO | independent system operator | |||||||
| ISO-NE | ISO New England Inc. | |||||||
| LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate, an interest rate at which banks can borrow funds, in marketable size, from other banks in the London interbank market | |||||||
| load | demand for electricity | |||||||
| LTSA | long-term service agreements for plant maintenance | |||||||
| Luminant | subsidiaries of Vistra engaged in competitive market activities consisting of electricity generation and wholesale energy sales and purchases as well as commodity risk management | |||||||
| market heat rate | Heat rate is a measure of the efficiency of converting a fuel source to electricity. Market heat rate is the implied relationship between wholesale electricity prices and natural gas prices and is calculated by dividing the wholesale market price of electricity, which is based on the price offer of the marginal supplier (generally natural gas plants), by the market price of natural gas. | |||||||
| Merger Sub | Black Pen Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra | |||||||
| MISO | Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. | |||||||
| MMBtu | million British thermal units | |||||||
| Moody's | Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (a credit rating agency) | |||||||
| MSHA | U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration | |||||||
| MW | megawatts | |||||||
| MWh | megawatt-hours | |||||||
| NERC | North American Electric Reliability Corporation | |||||||
| NO****X | nitrogen oxide | |||||||
| NRC | U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission | |||||||
| NYISO | New York Independent System Operator, Inc. | |||||||
| NYMEX | the New York Mercantile Exchange, a commodity derivatives exchange | |||||||
| Parent | Vistra Corp. | |||||||
| PJM | PJM Interconnection, LLC | |||||||
| Plan of Reorganization | Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization filed by the parent company of our predecessor in August 2016 and confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in August 2016 solely with respect to our predecessor | |||||||
| PrefCo Preferred Stock Sale | as part of the tax-free spin-off from Energy Future Holdings Corp. (EFH Corp.), executed pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization on the Effective Date by our predecessor, the contribution of certain of the assets of our predecessor and its subsidiaries by a subsidiary of TEX Energy LLC to Vistra Preferred, LLC (PrefCo) in exchange for all of PrefCo's authorized preferred stock, consisting of 70,000 shares, par value $0.01 per share | |||||||
| Public Power | Public Power, LLC (d/b/a Public Power), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO and MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |||||||
| PUCT | Public Utility Commission of Texas | |||||||
| REP | retail electric provider | |||||||
| RCT | Railroad Commission of Texas, which among other things, has oversight of lignite mining activity in Texas, and has jurisdiction over oil and natural gas exploration and production, permitting and inspecting intrastate pipelines, and overseeing natural gas utility rates and compliance | |||||||
| RTO | regional transmission organization | |||||||
| S&P | Standard & Poor's Ratings (a credit rating agency) | |||||||
| SEC | U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission | |||||||
| Securities Act | Securities Act of 1933, as amended | |||||||
| Series A Preferred Stock | Vistra's 8.0% Series A Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share | |||||||
| Series B Preferred Stock | Vistra's 7.0% Series B Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Green Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share | |||||||
| SO****2 | sulfur dioxide |
iii
| SOFR | Secured Overnight Financing Rate, the average rate at which institutions can borrow U.S. dollars overnight while posting U.S. Treasury bonds as collateral | |||||||
| Tax Matters Agreement | Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, by and among EFH Corp., Energy Future Intermediate Holding Company LLC, EFIH Finance Inc. and EFH Merger Co. LLC | |||||||
| TCEH | Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Future Competitive Holdings Company LLC, and, prior to the Effective Date, the parent company of our predecessor, depending on context, that were engaged in electricity generation and wholesale and retail energy market activities, and whose major subsidiaries included Luminant and TXU Energy | |||||||
| TCEQ | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality | |||||||
| TRA | Tax Receivable Agreement, containing certain rights (TRA Rights) to receive payments from Vistra related to certain tax benefits, including benefits realized as a result of certain transactions entered into at Emergence (see Note 8 to the Financial Statements) | |||||||
| TRE | Texas Reliability Entity, Inc., an independent organization that develops reliability standards for the ERCOT region and monitors and enforces compliance with NERC standards and monitors compliance with ERCOT protocols | |||||||
| TriEagle Energy | TriEagle Energy, LP (d/b/a TriEagle Energy, TriEagle Energy Services, Eagle Energy, Energy Rewards, Power House Energy and Viridian Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of ERCOT and PJM that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |||||||
| TXU Energy | TXU Energy Retail Company LLC (d/b/a TXU), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |||||||
| U.S. | United States of America | |||||||
| U.S. Gas & Electric | U.S. Gas and Electric, LLC (d/b/a USG&E, Illinois Gas & Electric and ILG&E), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra, a REP in certain areas of PJM, ISO-NE, NYISO and MISO that is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |||||||
| Value Based Brands | Value Based Brands LLC (d/b/a 4Change Energy, Express Energy and Veteran Energy), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra that is a REP in competitive areas of ERCOT and is engaged in the retail sale of electricity to residential and business customers | |||||||
| Vistra | Vistra Corp. and/or its subsidiaries, depending on context | |||||||
| Vistra Intermediate | Vistra Intermediate Company LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra | |||||||
| Vistra Operations | Vistra Operations Company LLC, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Vistra that is the issuer of certain series of notes (see Note 12 to the Financial Statements) and borrower under the Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | |||||||
| Vistra Operations Commodity-Linked Credit Agreement | Credit agreement, dated as of February 4, 2022 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, and/or otherwise modified from time to time) by and among Vistra Operations, Vistra Intermediate, the lenders party thereto, the other credit parties thereto, the administrative agent, the collateral agent, and the other parties named therein | |||||||
| Vistra Operations Credit Agreement | Credit agreement, dated as of October 3, 2016 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented and/or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Vistra Operations, Vistra Intermediate, the lenders party thereto, the letter of credit issuers party thereto, the administrative agent, the collateral agent, and the other parties named therein | |||||||
| Vistra Operations Credit Facilities | Vistra Operations senior secured financing facilities (see Note 12 to the Financial Statements) | |||||||
| Vistra Zero | subsidiaries of Vistra engaged in the operation and development of renewables and energy storage assets |
iv
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
VISTRA CORP.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited) (Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating revenues (Note 5) | $ | 4,086 | $ | 5,146 | $ | 11,701 | $ | 9,859 | |||||||||||||||
| Fuel, purchased power costs and delivery fees | (2,109) | (3,139) | (5,754) | (7,580) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating costs | (411) | (400) | (1,277) | (1,250) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (375) | (390) | (1,109) | (1,214) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | (357) | (323) | (953) | (894) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets (Note 19) | — | — | (49) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 834 | 894 | 2,559 | (1,079) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (Note 19) | 32 | 10 | 174 | 88 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other deductions (Note 19) | (3) | (5) | (9) | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense and related charges (Note 19) | (143) | (71) | (450) | (186) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement (Note 8) | (49) | 86 | (128) | (29) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) before income taxes | 671 | 914 | 2,146 | (1,224) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit (Note 7) | (169) | (236) | (470) | 262 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 502 | $ | 678 | $ | 1,676 | $ | (962) | |||||||||||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | (10) | 1 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra | $ | 502 | $ | 668 | $ | 1,677 | $ | (981) | |||||||||||||||
| Cumulative dividends attributable to preferred stock | (37) | (37) | (112) | (112) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Vistra common stock | $ | 465 | $ | 631 | $ | 1,565 | $ | (1,093) | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 366,570,040 | 413,762,896 | 374,323,466 | 431,381,151 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 372,149,099 | 417,482,511 | 379,102,358 | 431,381,151 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) per weighted average share of common stock outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.27 | $ | 1.53 | $ | 4.18 | $ | (2.53) | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 1.25 | $ | 1.51 | $ | 4.13 | $ | (2.53) |
See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited) (Millions of Dollars)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 502 | $ | 678 | $ | 1,676 | $ | (962) | |||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax effects: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effects related to pension and other retirement benefit obligations (net of tax expense (benefit) of $—, $2, $1 and $2) | (2) | 6 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | (2) | 6 | 3 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 500 | $ | 684 | $ | 1,679 | $ | (956) | |||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | — | (10) | 1 | (19) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vistra | $ | 500 | $ | 674 | $ | 1,680 | $ | (975) |
See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
| VISTRA CORP. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (Millions of Dollars) | |||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||
| Cash flows — operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 1,676 | $ | (962) | |||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,442 | 1,575 | |||||||||
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit), net | 437 | (298) | |||||||||
| Gain on sale of land | (95) | (12) | |||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived and other assets | 49 | — | |||||||||
| Unrealized net (gain) loss from mark-to-market valuations of commodities | (855) | 2,027 | |||||||||
| Unrealized net gain from mark-to-market valuations of interest rate swaps | (65) | (261) | |||||||||
| Asset retirement obligation accretion expense | 26 | 26 | |||||||||
| Impacts of Tax Receivable Agreement | 128 | 29 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | 63 | 48 | |||||||||
| Bad debt expense | 131 | 136 | |||||||||
| Other, net | 39 | 12 | |||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Margin deposits, net | 2,271 | (1,805) | |||||||||
| Uplift securitization proceeds receivable from ERCOT | — | 544 | |||||||||
| Accrued interest | (47) | (31) | |||||||||
| Accrued taxes | (38) | (46) | |||||||||
| Accrued employee incentive | (23) | (17) | |||||||||
| Other operating assets and liabilities | (567) | (873) | |||||||||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 4,572 | 92 | |||||||||
| Cash flows — investing activities: | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures, including nuclear fuel purchases and LTSA prepayments | (1,262) | (909) |
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion below, as well as other portions of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, management may make forward-looking statements orally or in other writing, including, but not limited to, in press releases, quarterly earnings calls, executive presentations, in the annual report to stockholders and in other filings with the SEC. Readers can usually identify these forward-looking statements by the use of such words as may," "will," "should,” “likely,” “plans,” “projects,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes” or similar words. These statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could materially differ from those anticipated by such forward-looking statements. For more discussion about risk factors that could cause or contribute to such differences, see Part II, Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2022 Form 10-K and any updates contained herein. Forward-looking statements reflect the information only as of the date on which they are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, developments, or other information. If Vistra does update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that additional updates will be made regarding that statement or any other forward-looking statements. This discussion is intended to clarify and focus on our results of operations, certain changes in our financial position, liquidity, capital structure and business developments for the periods covered by the condensed consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. This discussion should be read in conjunction with those condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes and is qualified by reference to them.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes to those statements.
All dollar amounts in the tables in the following discussion and analysis are stated in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's discussion and analysis of its financial position and results of operations is based upon its condensed consolidated financial statements. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires estimation and judgment that affect the reported amounts of revenue, expenses, assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the accounting for assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. If the estimates differ materially from actual results, the impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements may be material. The Company's critical accounting policies are disclosed in our 2022 Form 10-K.
Business
Vistra is a holding company operating an integrated retail and electric power generation business primarily in markets throughout the U.S. Through our subsidiaries, we are engaged in competitive energy market activities including electricity generation, wholesale energy sales and purchases, commodity risk management and retail sales of electricity and natural gas to end users.
Operating Segments
Vistra has six reportable segments: (i) Retail, (ii) Texas, (iii) East, (iv) West, (v) Sunset and (vi) Asset Closure. See Note 18 to the Financial Statements for further information concerning our reportable business segments.
Significant Activities and Events and Items Influencing Future Performance
Transaction Agreement
On March 6, 2023, Vistra Operations and Merger Sub entered into a Transaction Agreement with Energy Harbor pursuant to which, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Energy Harbor, with Energy Harbor surviving as an indirect subsidiary of Vistra. The Transaction Agreement, the Merger and the other Transactions were approved by each of Vistra's Board and Energy Harbor's board of directors. See Note 2 to the Financial Statements for more information concerning the Transaction Agreement.
Climate Change, Investments in Clean Energy and CO**2 Reductions
Environmental Regulations — We are subject to extensive environmental regulation by governmental authorities, including the EPA and the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate. Environmental regulations could have a material impact on our business, such as certain corrective action measures that may be required under the CCR rule and the ELG rule (see Note 13 to the Financial Statements). However, such rules and the regulatory environment are continuing to evolve and change, and we cannot predict the ultimate effect that such changes may have on our business.
Emissions Reductions — Vistra is targeting to achieve a 60% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 equivalent emissions by 2030 as compared to a 2010 baseline, with a long-term goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, assuming necessary advancements in technology and supportive market constructs and public policy. In furtherance of Vistra's efforts to meet its net-zero target, Vistra expects to deploy multiple levers to transition the Company to operating with net-zero emissions.
Green Finance Framework — In December 2021, we announced the publication of our Green Finance Framework, which allows us to issue green financial instruments to fund new or existing projects that support renewable energy and energy efficiency with alignment to our ESG strategy.
Solar Generation and Energy Storage Projects —
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In September 2020, we announced the planned development, at a cost of approximately $850 million, of up to 668 MW of solar photovoltaic power generation facilities and 260 MW of battery ESS in Texas. Of this planned development in Texas, 158 MW of solar generation and the 260 MW battery ESS came online in 2022.
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In September 2021, we announced the planned development, at a cost of approximately $550 million, of up to 300 MW of solar photovoltaic power generation facilities and up to 150 MW of battery ESS at retired or to-be-retired plant sites in Illinois, based on the passage of Illinois Senate Bill 2408, the Energy Transition Act.
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In January 2022, we announced that, subject to approval by the CPUC, we would enter into a 15-year resource adequacy contract with PG&E to develop an additional 350 MW battery ESS at our Moss Landing Power Plant site. The CPUC approved the resource adequacy and energy settlement contract in April 2022. This battery ESS entered commercial operations in June 2023.
We will only invest in these growth projects if we are confident in the expected returns. See Note 3 to the Financial Statements for a summary of our solar and battery ESS projects.
CO**2 Reductions — In June 2022, September 2022 and January 2023, we retired the Zimmer coal-fueled generation facility, the Joppa generation facilities and the Edwards coal-fueled generation facility, respectively. See Note 4 to the Financial Statements for a summary of our planned generation retirements.
Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant License Renewal
In October 2022, we announced the submission of our application to the NRC for license renewal at our two-unit Comanche Peak Nuclear Plant. The current licenses for Units 1
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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risk is the risk that in the normal course of business we may experience a loss in value because of changes in market conditions that affect economic factors such as commodity prices, interest rates and counterparty credit. Our exposure to market risk is affected by several factors, including the size, duration and composition of our energy and financial portfolio, as well as the volatility and liquidity of markets. Instruments used to manage this exposure include interest rate swaps to hedge debt costs, as well as exchange-traded, over-the-counter contracts and other contractual arrangements to hedge commodity prices.
Risk Oversight
We manage the commodity price, counterparty credit and commodity-related operational risk related to the competitive energy business within limitations established by senior management and in accordance with overall risk management policies. Interest rate risk is managed centrally by our treasury function. Market risks are monitored by risk management groups that operate independently of the wholesale commercial operations, utilizing defined practices and analytical methodologies. These techniques measure the risk of change in value of the portfolio of contracts and the hypothetical effect on this value from changes in market conditions and include, but are not limited to, position reporting and review, Value at Risk (VaR) methodologies and stress test scenarios. Key risk control activities include, but are not limited to, transaction review and approval (including credit review), operational and market risk measurement, transaction authority oversight, validation of transaction capture, market price validation and reporting, and portfolio valuation and reporting, including mark-to-market, VaR and other risk measurement metrics.
Vistra has a risk management organization that enforces applicable risk limits, including the respective policies and procedures to ensure compliance with such limits, and evaluates the risks inherent in our businesses.
Commodity Price Risk
Our business is subject to the inherent risks of market fluctuations in the price of electricity, natural gas and other energy-related products it markets or purchases. We actively manage the portfolio of generation assets, fuel supply and retail sales load to mitigate the near-term impacts of these risks on results of operations. Similar to other participants in the market, we cannot fully manage the long-term value impact of structural declines or increases in natural gas and power prices.
In managing energy price risk, we enter into a variety of market transactions including, but not limited to, short- and long-term contracts for physical delivery, exchange-traded and over-the-counter financial contracts and bilateral contracts with customers. Activities include hedging, the structuring of long-term contractual arrangements and proprietary trading. We continuously monitor the valuation of identified risks and adjust positions based on current market conditions. We strive to use consistent assumptions regarding forward market price curves in evaluating and recording the effects of commodity price risk.
VaR Methodology — A VaR methodology is used to measure the amount of market risk that exists within the portfolio under a variety of market conditions. The resultant VaR produces an estimate of a portfolio's potential for loss given a specified confidence level and considers, among other things, market movements utilizing standard statistical techniques given historical and projected market prices and volatilities.
Parametric processes are used to calculate VaR and are considered by management to be the most effective way to estimate changes in a portfolio's value based on assumed market conditions for liquid markets. The use of this method requires a number of key assumptions, such as use of (i) an assumed confidence level, (ii) an assumed holding period (i.e., the time necessary for management action, such as to liquidate positions) and (iii) historical estimates of volatility and correlation data. The table below details a VaR measure related to various portfolios of contracts.
VaR for Underlying Generation Assets and Energy-Related Contracts — This measurement estimates the potential loss in value, due to changes in market conditions, of all underlying generation assets and contracts, based on a 95% confidence level and an assumed holding period of 60 days. The forward period covered by this calculation includes the current and subsequent calendar year at the time of calculation.
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | Year Ended December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Month-end average VaR | $ | 210 | $ | 489 | |||||||
| Month-end high VaR | $ | 423 | $ | 686 | |||||||
| Month-end low VaR | $ | 127 | $ | 283 |
The month-end high VaR risk measure in 2023 is currently lower than the prior year due to lower prices and higher hedge levels.
Interest Rate Risk
As of September 30, 2023, the potential reduction of annual pretax earnings over the next twelve months due to a one percentage-point (100 basis points) increase in floating interest rates on long-term debt totaled approximately $2 million taking into account the interest rate swaps discussed in Note 12 to Financial Statements.
Credit Risk
Credit risk relates to the risk of loss associated with nonperformance by counterparties. We minimize credit risk by evaluating potential counterparties, monitoring ongoing counterparty risk and assessing overall portfolio risk. This includes review of counterparty financial condition, current and potential credit exposures, credit rating and other quantitative and qualitative credit criteria. We also employ certain risk mitigation practices, including utilization of standardized master agreements that provide for netting and setoff rights, as well as credit enhancements such as margin deposits and customer deposits, letters of credit, parental guarantees and surety bonds. See Note 16 to the Financial Statements for further discussion of this exposure.
Credit Exposure — Our gross credit exposure (excluding collateral impacts) associated with retail and wholesale trade accounts receivable and net derivative assets arising from commodity contracts and hedging and trading activities totaled $2.264 billion as of September 30, 2023.
As of September 30, 2023, Retail segment credit exposure totaled approximately $1.701 billion, including $1.666 billion of trade accounts receivable and $35 million related to derivatives. Cash deposits and letters of credit held as collateral for these receivables totaled $52 million, resulting in a net exposure of $1.649 billion. Allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable are established for the expected loss from nonpayment by these customers based on historical experience, market or operational conditions and changes in the financial condition of large business customers.
As of September 30, 2023, aggregate Texas, East, Sunset and Asset Closure segments credit exposure totaled $563 million including $460 million related to derivative assets and $103 million of trade accounts receivable, after taking into account master netting agreement provisions but excluding collateral impacts.
Including collateral posted to us by counterparties, our net Texas, East, Sunset and Asset Closure segments credit exposure was $542 million, as seen in the following table that presents the distribution of credit exposure by counterparty credit quality as of September 30, 2023. Credit collateral includes cash and letters of credit but excludes other credit enhancements such as guarantees or liens on assets.
| Exposure Before Credit Collateral | Credit Collateral | Net Exposure | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment grade | $ | 503 | $ | 17 | $ | 486 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Below investment grade or no rating | 60 | 4 | 56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Totals | $ | 563 | $ | 21 | $ | 542 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Significant (i.e., 10% or greater) concentration of credit exposure exists with three counterparties, which represented an aggregate $304 million, or 56%, of our total net exposure as of September 30, 2023. We view exposure to these counterparties to be within an acceptable level of risk tolerance due to the counterparties' credit ratings, the counterparties' market role and deemed creditworthiness and the importance of our business relationship with the counterparty. An event of default by one or more counterparties could subsequently result in termination-related settlement payments that reduce available liquidity if amounts such as margin deposits are owed to the counterparties or delays in receipts of expected settlements owed to us.
Contracts classified as "normal" purchase or sale and non-derivative contractual commitments are not marked-to-market in the financial statements and are excluded from the detail above. Such contractual commitments may contain pricing that is favorable considering current market conditions and therefore represent economic risk if the counterparties do not perform.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report and other presentations made by us contain "forward-looking statements." All statements, other than statements of historical facts, that are included in this report, or made in presentations, in response to questions or otherwise, that address activities, events or developments that may occur in the future, including (without limitation) such matters as activities related to our financial or operational projections, capital allocation, capital expenditures, liquidity, dividend policy, business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, future acquisitions or dispositions, development or operation of power generation assets, market and industry developments and the growth of our businesses and operations (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "intends," "plans," "will likely," "unlikely," "expected," "anticipated," "estimated," "should," "may," "projection," "target," "goal," "objective" and "outlook"), are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that in making any such forward-looking statement our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, any such forward-looking statement involves uncertainties and risks and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the discussion under Part II, Item 1A Risk Factors and Part I, Item 2 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and the following important factors, among others, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in or implied by such forward-looking statements:
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our ability to consummate the acquisition of Energy Harbor;
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the actions and decisions of judicial and regulatory authorities;
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prohibitions and other restrictions on our operations due to the terms of our agreements;
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prevailing federal, state and local governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the legislatures and other government actions of states in which we operate, the U.S. Congress, the FERC, the NERC, the TRE, the public utility commissions of states and locales in which we operate, CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, the RCT, the NRC, the EPA, the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate, the MSHA and the CFTC, with respect to, among other things:
▪allowed prices;
▪industry, market and rate structure;
▪purchased power and recovery of investments;
▪operations of nuclear generation facilities;
▪operations of fossil-fueled generation facilities;
▪operations of mines;
▪acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities;
▪development, construction and operation of facilities;
▪decommissioning costs;
▪present or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
▪changes in federal, state and local tax laws, rates and policies, including additional regulation, interpretations, amendments, or technical corrections to The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and/or the IRA;
▪changes in and compliance with environmental and safety laws and policies, including the Coal Combustion Residuals Rule, National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard, regional haze program implementation and GHG and other climate change initiatives, and
▪clearing over-the-counter derivatives through exchanges and posting of cash collateral therewith;
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expectations regarding, or impacts of, environmental matters, including costs of compliance, availability and adequacy of emission credits, and the impact of ongoing proceedings and potential regulations or changes to current regulations, including those relating to climate change, air emissions, cooling water intake structures, coal combustion byproducts, and other laws and regulations that we are, or could become, subject to, which could increase our costs, result in an impairment of our assets, cause us to limit or terminate the operation of certain of our facilities, or otherwise negatively impact our financial results or stock price;
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legal and administrative proceedings and settlements;
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general industry trends;
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economic conditions, including the impact of any inflationary period, recession or economic downturn;
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investor sentiment relating to climate change and utilization of fossil fuels in connection with power generation could reduce demand for, or increase potential volatility in the market price of, our common stock;
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the severity, magnitude and duration of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting effects on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
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the severity, magnitude and duration of extreme weather events, drought and limitations on access to water, and other weather conditions and natural phenomena, contingencies and uncertainties relating thereto, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, and the resulting effects on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows;
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acts of sabotage, geopolitical conflicts, wars, or terrorist, cybersecurity, cybercriminal, or cyber-espionage threats or activities;
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risk of contract performance claims by us or our counterparties, and risks of, or costs associated with, pursuing or defending such claims;
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our ability to collect trade receivables from counterparties in the amount or at the time expected, if at all;
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our ability to attract, retain and profitably serve customers;
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restrictions on or prohibitions of competitive retail pricing or direct-selling businesses;
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adverse publicity associated with our retail products or direct selling businesses, including our ability to address the marketplace and regulators regarding our compliance with applicable laws;
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changes in wholesale electricity prices or energy commodity prices, including the price of natural gas;
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changes in prices of transportation of natural gas, coal, fuel oil and other refined products;
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sufficiency of, access to, and costs associated with coal, fuel oil, natural gas, and uranium inventories and transportation and storage thereof;
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changes in the ability of counterparties and suppliers to provide or deliver commodities, materials, or services as needed;
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beliefs and assumptions about the benefits of state- or federal-based subsidies to our market competition, and the corresponding impacts on us, including if such subsidies are disproportionately available to our competitors;
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the effects of, or changes to, market design and the power, ancillary services and capacity procurement processes in the markets in which we operate;
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changes in market heat rates in the CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO and PJM electricity markets;
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our ability to effectively hedge against unfavorable commodity prices, including the price of natural gas, market heat rates and interest rates;
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population growth or decline, or changes in market supply or demand and demographic patterns;
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our ability to mitigate forced outage risk, including managing risk associated with Capacity Performance in PJM and performance incentives in ISO-NE;
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efforts to identify opportunities to reduce congestion and improve busbar power prices;
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access to adequate transmission facilities to meet changing demands;
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changes in interest rates, commodity prices, rates of inflation or foreign exchange rates;
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changes in operating expenses, liquidity needs and capital expenditures;
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commercial bank market and capital market conditions and the potential impact of disruptions in U.S. and international credit markets;
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access to capital, the attractiveness of the cost and other terms of such capital and the success of financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in capital markets;
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our ability to maintain prudent financial leverage and achieve our capital allocation, performance, and cost-saving initiatives and objectives;
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our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to make principal and interest payments in respect of, or refinance, our debt obligations;
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our expectation that we will continue to pay (i) a consistent aggregate cash dividend amount to common stockholders on a quarterly basis and (ii) the applicable semiannual cash dividend to the Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock stockholders, respectively;
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our expectation that we will continue to make repurchases under, and the possibility that we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of, our share repurchase program, and the possibility that the program may be suspended, discontinued or not completed prior to its termination;
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our ability to implement and successfully execute upon our strategic and growth initiatives, including the completion and integration of mergers, acquisitions and/or joint venture activity, the identification and completion of sales and divestitures activity, and the completion and commercialization of our other business development and construction projects;
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competition for new energy development and other business opportunities;
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inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations with respect to our financial instruments;
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counterparties' collateral demands and other factors affecting our liquidity position and financial condition;
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changes in technology (including large-scale electricity storage) used by and services offered by us;
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changes in electricity transmission that allow additional power generation to compete with our generation assets;
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our ability to attract and retain qualified employees;
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significant changes in our relationship with our employees, including the availability of qualified personnel, and the potential adverse effects if labor disputes or grievances were to occur or changes in laws or regulations relating to independent contractor status;
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changes in assumptions used to estimate costs of providing employee benefits, including medical and dental benefits, pension and other postretirement employee benefits, and future funding requirements related thereto, including joint and several liability exposure under ERISA;
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hazards customary to the industry and the possibility that we may not have adequate insurance to cover losses resulting from such hazards;
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the impact of our obligations under the TRA;
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our ability to optimize our assets through targeted investment in cost-effective technology enhancements and operations performance initiatives;
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our ability to effectively and efficiently plan, prepare for and execute expected asset retirements and reclamation obligations and the impacts thereof;
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our ability to successfully complete the integration of businesses acquired by Vistra and our ability to successfully capture the full amount of projected operational and financial synergies relating to such transactions, and
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actions by credit rating agencies.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only at the date on which it is made, and except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict them. In addition, we may be unable to assess the impact of any such event or condition or the extent to which any such event or condition, or combination of events or conditions, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in or implied by any forward-looking statement. As such, you should not unduly rely on such forward-looking statements.
INDUSTRY AND MARKET INFORMATION
Certain industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this report are based on independent industry publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources, including certain data published by CAISO, ERCOT, ISO-NE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, the environmental regulatory bodies of states in which we operate and NYMEX. We did not commission any of these publications, reports or other sources. Some data is also based on good faith estimates, which are derived from our review of internal surveys, as well as the independent sources listed above. Industry publications, reports and other sources generally state that they have obtained information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of such information. While we believe that each of these studies, publications, reports and other sources is reliable, we have not independently investigated or verified the information contained or referred to therein and make no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information. Forecasts are particularly likely to be inaccurate, especially over long periods of time, and we do not know what assumptions were used in preparing such forecasts. Statements regarding industry and market data and other statistical information used throughout this report involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors.
**Item 4.**CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) in effect at September 30, 2023. Based on the evaluation performed, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective. During the fiscal quarter covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
**Item 1.**LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Reference is made to the discussion in Note 13 to the Financial Statements regarding legal proceedings.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors in our 2022 Form 10-K. We could also be affected by additional factors that are not presently known to us or that we currently consider to be immaterial to our operations.
The Transactions are subject to a number of conditions which, if not satisfied or waived, would delay the Transactions or adversely impact our ability to complete the Transactions on the terms set forth in the Transaction Agreement or at all.
The completion of the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions, including (a) receipt of all requisite regulatory approvals, including approvals of the NRC and the FERC, (b) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and (c) the divestment of Energy Harbor's remaining fossil assets. These closing conditions may not be fulfilled in a timely manner or at all, and, accordingly, the Transactions may not be completed.
If we are unable to complete the Transactions, we still will incur and will remain liable for significant transaction costs, including legal, accounting, advisory and other costs relating to the Transactions. Also, depending upon the reasons for not completing the Transactions, we may be required to pay Energy Harbor a termination fee of $225 million. If such a termination fee is payable, the payment could affect Vistra's share price and the overall cash flows of the Company.
Failure to consummate the Transactions as currently contemplated or at all could adversely affect the price of Vistra's common stock and our future business and financial results.
The completion of the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions. We cannot guarantee when or if these conditions will be satisfied or that the Transactions will be successfully completed. If the Transactions are not consummated, or are consummated on different terms than as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, we could be adversely affected and subject to a variety of risks associated with the failure to consummate the Transactions, or to consummate the Transactions as contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, including:
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our stockholders may be prevented from realizing the anticipated potential benefits of the Transactions;
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the market price of our common stock could decline significantly;
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reputational harm due to the adverse public perception of any failure to successfully complete the Transactions;
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under certain circumstances, we may be required to pay Energy Harbor a termination fee of up to $225 million or reimburse Energy Harbor's expenses up to $20 million; and
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the attention of our management and employees may be diverted from their day-to-day business and operational matters and our relationships with our customers and suppliers may be disrupted as a result of efforts relating to attempting to consummate the Transactions.
Any delay in the consummation of the Transactions, any uncertainty about the consummation of the Transactions on terms other than those contemplated by the Transaction Agreement and any failure to consummate the Transactions could adversely affect our business, financial results and common stock price.
Following the completion of the Transactions, we may be unable to successfully integrate Energy Harbor's businesses with Vistra's nuclear and retail businesses and its Vistra Zero renewable and energy storage projects or realize the anticipated synergies and other expected benefits of the Transactions on the anticipated timeframe or at all.
The Transactions involve the combination of Energy Harbor's nuclear and retail businesses with Vistra's nuclear and retail businesses and Vistra Zero renewables and energy storage projects under a newly-formed subsidiary holding company, Vistra Vision. This new combination expects to benefit from certain cost savings, operating efficiencies and a growing renewables and energy storage portfolio, some of which will take time to realize. We will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to the integration of our and Energy Harbor's business practices and operations into Vistra Vision. The potential difficulties we may encounter in building Vistra Vision include the following:
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the inability to successfully combine our nuclear, retail, renewables and battery storage business and Energy Harbor's nuclear and retail businesses in a manner that permits Vistra Vision to achieve the cost savings anticipated to result from the Transactions, which would result in the anticipated benefits of the Transactions not being realized in the timeframe currently anticipated or at all;
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the complexities associated with maintaining the second-largest competitive nuclear fleet in the U.S.;
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the complexities of combining two companies with different histories, geographic footprints and asset mixes;
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the complexities in combining two companies with separate technology systems;
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potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses, delays or conditions associated with the Transactions;
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failure to perform by third-party service providers who provide key services for the combined company; and
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performance shortfalls as a result of the diversion of management’s attention caused by completing the Transactions and integrating the companies' operations.
For all these reasons, it is possible that the integration process could result in the distraction of our management, the disruption of our ongoing business or inconsistencies in operations, services, standards, controls, policies and procedures, any of which could adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with operators, vendors and employees, to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Transactions, or could otherwise materially and adversely affect its business and financial results.
In consummating the Transactions, Vistra Operations will take on a significant amount of indebtedness. As a result, it may be more difficult for Vistra Operations to pay or refinance its debts or take other actions, and Vistra Operations may need to divert its cash flow from operations (including cash flow from the new Vistra Vision entity) to debt service payments.
Vistra Operations will have significant indebtedness following completion of the Transactions. Initially a substantial portion of such indebtedness will be subject to rising changes in interest rates. In addition, subject to the limits contained in the documents governing such indebtedness, Vistra Operations may be able to incur significant additional debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions, or for other purposes. If the combined company does so, the risks related to its high level of debt could intensify. The amount of such indebtedness could have material adverse consequences for Vistra Operations, including:
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hindering its ability to adjust to changing market, industry or economic conditions;
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limiting its ability to access the capital markets to raise additional equity or refinance maturing debt on favorable terms or to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or emerging businesses or other general corporate purposes;
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limiting the amount of free cash flow available for future operations, acquisitions, dividends, stock repurchases or other uses;
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making it more vulnerable to economic or industry downturns, including interest rate increases; and
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placing it at a competitive disadvantage compared to less leveraged competitors.
Moreover, to respond to competitive challenges, Vistra Operations may be required to raise significant additional capital to execute its business strategy. Vistra Operations' ability to arrange additional financing will depend on, among other factors, its financial position and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond its control. Even if Vistra Operations is able to obtain additional financing, its credit ratings could be adversely affected, which could raise its borrowing costs and limit its future access to capital and its ability to satisfy its obligations under its indebtedness.
**Item 2.**UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table provides information about our repurchase of equity securities that are registered by us pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as amended, during the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
| Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program | Maximum Dollar Amount of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Program (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1 - July 31, 2023 | 2,658,213 | $ | 27.16 | 2,658,213 | $ | 1,378 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1 - August 31, 2023 | 4,333,746 | $ | 29.99 | 4,333,746 | $ | 1,248 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1 - September 30, 2023 | 3,558,348 | $ | 33.22 | 3,558,348 | $ | 1,130 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| For the quarter ended September 30, 2023 | 10,550,307 | $ | 30.36 | 10,550,307 | $ | 1,130 |
In October 2021, we announced that the Board had authorized a share repurchase program (Share Repurchase Program) under which up to $2.0 billion of our outstanding common stock may be repurchased. The Share Repurchase Program became effective on October 11, 2021. In August 2022 and March 2023, the Board authorized incremental amounts of $1.25 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, for repurchases to bring the total authorized under the Share Repurchase Program to $4.25 billion. We expect to complete repurchases under the Share Repurchase Program by the end of 2024.
Under the Share Repurchase Program, any purchases of shares of the Company's stock may be repurchased from time to time in open-market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to plans complying with the Exchange Act, or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws. The actual timing, number and value of shares repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program or otherwise will be determined at our discretion and will depend on a number of factors, including our capital allocation priorities, the market price of our stock, general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and compliance with the terms of our debt agreements and the certificate of designation of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock, respectively.
See Note 14 to the Financial Statements for more information concerning the Share Repurchase Program.
**Item 3.**DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Vistra currently owns and operates, or is in the process of reclaiming, 12 surface lignite coal mines in Texas to provide fuel for its electricity generation facilities. Vistra also owns or leases, and is in the process of reclaiming, two waste-to-energy surface facilities in Pennsylvania. These mining operations are regulated by the MSHA under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (the Mine Act), as well as other federal and state regulatory agencies such as the RCT and Office of Surface Mining. The MSHA inspects U.S. mines, including Vistra's mines, on a regular basis, and if it believes a violation of the Mine Act or any health or safety standard or other regulation has occurred, it may issue a citation or order, generally accompanied by a proposed fine or assessment. Such citations and orders can be contested and appealed, which often results in a reduction of the severity and amount of fines and assessments and sometimes results in dismissal. Disclosure of MSHA citations, orders and proposed assessments are provided in Exhibit 95.1 to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
During the three months ended September 30, 2023, none of our officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of Company securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement".
Item 6. EXHIBITS
(a) Exhibits filed or furnished as part of Part II are:
- Incorporated herein by reference
** Filed herewith
*** Furnished herewith
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| Vistra Corp. | ||||||||||||||
| By: | /s/ CHRISTY DOBRY | |||||||||||||
| Name: | Christy Dobry | |||||||||||||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Controller | |||||||||||||
| (Principal Accounting Officer) |
Date: November 7, 2023