WallStSmart

Pure Cycle Corporation (PCYO)vsVistra Corp. (VST)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Vistra Corp. generates 63355% more annual revenue ($19.45B vs $30.64M). PCYO leads profitability with a 45.8% profit margin vs 11.5%. PCYO trades at a lower P/E of 18.3x. VST earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

PCYO

Buy

55

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 7.0Value: 5.3Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 4.77

VST

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 4.7Profit: 8.0Value: 7.0Quality: 2.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.60

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

PCYO6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Profit MarginProfitability
45.8%10/10

Keeps 46 of every $100 in revenue as profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
52.8%10/10

Earnings expanding 52.8% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0510/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.7710/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Price/BookValuation
1.7x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
29.4%8/10

Revenue surging 29.4% year-over-year

VST5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
PEG RatioValuation
0.4610/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Return on EquityProfitability
40.0%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 40 in profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
43.4%10/10

Revenue surging 43.4% year-over-year

Market CapQuality
$53.26B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Operating MarginProfitability
26.6%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 26.6%

Areas to Watch

PCYO3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Market CapQuality
$255.74M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-4.51M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

VST4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
26.4x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
19.8x4/10

Trading at 19.8x book value

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

EPS GrowthGrowth
-52.3%2/10

Earnings declined 52.3%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : PCYO

The strongest argument for PCYO centers on Profit Margin, EPS Growth, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 45.8% and operating margin at 5.1%. Revenue growth of 29.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : VST

The strongest argument for VST centers on PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 43.4% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.46 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : PCYO

The primary concerns for PCYO are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, Free Cash Flow.

Bear Case : VST

The primary concerns for VST are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Piotroski F-Score. Debt-to-equity of 3.56 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

VST carries more volatility with a beta of 1.45 — expect wider price swings.

VST is growing revenue faster at 43.4% — sustainability is the question.

VST generates stronger free cash flow (156M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED WATER industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

VST scores higher overall (68/100 vs 55/100) and 43.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong 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.

Pure Cycle Corporation

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED WATER · USA

Pure Cycle Corporation designs, builds, operates and maintains water and wastewater systems in the Denver metropolitan area and Colorado Front Range in the United States. The company is headquartered in Watkins, Colorado.

Visit Website →

Vistra Corp.

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS · USA

Vistra Corp. The company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?