Compare StocksADBE vs VST

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Vistra Corp. (VST)

ADBE
Adobe Inc.
$245.99
VS
VST
Vistra Corp.
$167.37

Rewards

ADBE
  • Adobe Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 89.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Adobe Inc. scores 100/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
VST
  • Share count has been reduced by 13% over the past 4 years through buybacks, increasing each share's claim on earnings.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $12.44 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.

Risks

ADBE
    VST
    • Trailing P/E of 76.8x is 127% above the historical average of 33.9x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
    • High leverage (4.00x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
    • Altman Z-Score of 1.42 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    ADBE
    VST
    Valuation
    $9.29B
    Free Cash Flow
    $-459.25M
    9.20%
    FCF Yield
    -0.81%
    14.33
    Trailing P/E
    76.78
    9.33
    Forward P/E
    14.71
    Quality & Moat
    40.36%
    ROIC
    7.26%
    62.36%
    ROE
    14.72%
    89.40%
    Gross Margin
    33.24%
    1.29
    PEG Ratio
    N/A
    Balance Sheet Safety
    0.58
    Debt / Equity
    4.00
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    -0.02
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    3.75
    N/A
    Dividend Yield
    0.54%
    ADBE: 9Ties: 1VST: 0
    ADBEVST

    Historical Fundamentals

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    ADBE

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    VST

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

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    ADBE
    $-0.60
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $18.12B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-10.93B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
    VST
    $12.44
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Exceptional Value Creator
    Σ Retained
    $3.66B
    Δ Market Cap
    +$45.50B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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    ADBE
    48.4% Margin of Safety
    Price is 48.4% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $245.99
    Fair Value: $477.11
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    VST
    15.7% Overvalued
    Price is 15.7% above estimated fair value
    Current Price: $167.37
    Fair Value: $144.65
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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    ADBE

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $246?

    +3.0%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -0.7%

    The market implies +3.0% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -0.7%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    VST

    Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

    Economic Moat Score

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    ADBE
    100/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
    VST
    44/100
    Narrow Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving margin stability would strengthen the moat.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

    Forensic Accounting

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    ADBE
    -2.85
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
    VST
    -2.54
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Ownership Breakdown

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    ADBE
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 87.8%Retail & Other 11.9%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,534
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
    VST
    Insiders 0.8%Institutions 93.0%Retail & Other 6.2%
    No. of Institutional Holders1,759
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    Insider Buying Activity

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    ADBE
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $507,758
    @ $390.58 · 2025-03-20
    RICKS DAVID A
    Director
    $998,946
    @ $443.98 · 2025-01-28
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    VST
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    PITESA JOHN WILLIAM
    Director
    $190,125
    @ $126.75 · 2025-03-12
    CRUTCHFIELD LISA
    Director
    $29,969
    @ $89.46 · 2024-06-10
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

    Insider Selling Activity

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    ADBE
    1
    Sells (3M)
    3
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $711,495
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $485,323
    @ $294.85 · 2026-01-27
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $50,344
    @ $337.88 · 2025-10-31
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $175,828
    @ $380.58 · 2025-05-02
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $145,567
    @ $435.83 · 2025-01-28
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $2.05M
    @ $431.61 · 2025-01-27
    BANSE AMY L
    Director
    $333,300
    @ $550.00 · 2024-12-06
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $327,987
    @ $485.19 · 2024-10-29
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $232,525
    @ $483.42 · 2024-10-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.14M
    @ $511.48 · 2024-10-16
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $3.35M
    @ $515.44 · 2024-09-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $52,089
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $258,297
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $85,255
    @ $564.60 · 2024-07-16
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.25M
    @ $561.60 · 2024-07-16
    RAO DANA J.D.
    General Counsel
    $3.56M
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $138,735
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $265,644
    @ $447.97 · 2024-06-03
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $389,630
    @ $490.10 · 2024-05-06
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.29M
    @ $474.30 · 2024-05-02
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $45,436
    @ $468.41 · 2024-04-25
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    VST
    1
    Sells (3M)
    35
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $255.87M
    MOORE STEPHANIE ZAPATA
    General Counsel
    $1.60M
    @ $160.31 · 2026-03-09
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $3.61M
    @ $162.05 · 2025-12-11
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $3.61M
    @ $162.05 · 2025-12-11
    MOORE STEPHANIE ZAPATA
    General Counsel
    $1.42M
    @ $173.35 · 2025-11-24
    HUDSON SCOTT A
    Officer
    $9.46M
    @ $168.86 · 2025-11-14
    KIRBY CARRIE LEE
    Officer
    $10.18M
    @ $174.75 · 2025-11-14
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $4.09M
    @ $186.53 · 2025-11-11
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $1.85M
    @ $192.30 · 2025-10-29
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $4.17M
    @ $203.64 · 2025-10-27
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $7.52M
    @ $191.79 · 2025-10-24
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $4.08M
    @ $188.75 · 2025-10-22
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.81M
    @ $206.11 · 2025-10-20
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $9.07M
    @ $212.28 · 2025-10-16
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $17.21M
    @ $204.51 · 2025-10-14
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.38M
    @ $204.62 · 2025-10-09
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.73M
    @ $204.21 · 2025-10-07
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.74M
    @ $204.44 · 2025-10-03
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $7.72M
    @ $197.04 · 2025-10-01
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.62M
    @ $201.56 · 2025-09-29
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.63M
    @ $201.86 · 2025-09-25
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.99M
    @ $210.52 · 2025-09-23
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $9.07M
    @ $212.34 · 2025-09-19
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $9.11M
    @ $213.17 · 2025-09-17
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $8.82M
    @ $206.32 · 2025-09-15
    BURKE JAMES A.
    Chief Executive Officer
    $12.93M
    @ $206.26 · 2025-09-11
    MOLDOVAN KRISTOPHER E.
    Chief Financial Officer
    $6.29M
    @ $180.00 · 2025-06-17
    SULT JOHN R
    Director
    $4.29M
    @ $171.67 · 2025-06-06
    HELM SCOTT BRADFORD
    Director
    $8.64M
    @ $172.75 · 2025-06-05
    MOLDOVAN KRISTOPHER E.
    Chief Financial Officer
    $7.20M
    @ $160.00 · 2025-05-27
    MOORE STEPHANIE ZAPATA
    General Counsel
    $5.65M
    @ $161.44 · 2025-05-27
    HUDSON SCOTT A
    Officer
    $8.79M
    @ $157.00 · 2025-05-20
    HELM SCOTT BRADFORD
    Director
    $3.14M
    @ $156.80 · 2025-05-19
    KIRBY CARRIE LEE
    Officer
    $16.95M
    @ $156.98 · 2025-05-19
    MOLDOVAN KRISTOPHER E.
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.55M
    @ $150.00 · 2025-05-13
    MOLDOVAN KRISTOPHER E.
    Chief Financial Officer
    $6.95M
    @ $140.00 · 2025-05-01
    HELM SCOTT BRADFORD
    Director
    $2.80M
    @ $139.77 · 2024-12-10
    HUDSON SCOTT A
    Officer
    $18.88M
    @ $164.16 · 2024-11-25
    KIRBY CARRIE LEE
    Officer
    $13.79M
    @ $162.28 · 2024-11-22
    MOORE STEPHANIE ZAPATA
    General Counsel
    $6.18M
    @ $161.94 · 2024-11-22
    MUSCATO STEPHEN J
    Officer
    $33.41M
    @ $161.34 · 2024-11-22
    MOORE STEPHANIE ZAPATA
    General Counsel
    $2.79M
    @ $80.37 · 2024-08-13
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

    🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

    Learn more →
    ADBE
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(27/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
    VST
    FearGreed
    😐Neutral(47/100)

    "Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    ⚖️ Buffett Signal

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    ADBE
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (27)
    VST
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (47)
    View ADBE Full AnalysisView VST Full Analysis
    Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Vistra Corp. (VST) Stock Comparison | SafetyMargin.io