Leading S&P 500 stock Vistra (VST) sank early Friday following news of a fire at an energy-storage battery facility at the company's Moss Landing power plant in Monterey County, California.

The fire began late Thursday, with a Vistra spokesperson telling Politico they were not yet sure of the fire's cause. Vistra owns the natural gas-fueled Moss Landing power plant, as well as the lithium-ion battery energy storage facility on the site.

Vistra stock sank 2.8% to 169.42 during market action on Friday, retreating after a 26% gain so far in January. On Tuesday, the S&P 500 stock jumped more than 5% to 170.52, breaking out above a traditional 168.67 buy point. Vistra was added to IBD SwingTrader on Jan. 14.

Investors should be aware that MarketSurge analysis identifies the current base as a late-stage base, a factor that can raise the amount of risk associated with a breakout.

Vistra on Aug. 1 2023 announced it completed a recent expansion of the Moss Landing energy storage facility, claiming it can store 750 megawatts of energy, and the largest of its kind in the world. The battery facility was damaged during an accident with a malfunctioning heat detector in 2021. Meanwhile, there was also a fire in 2022 at an adjoining battery plant owned by Pacific Gas & Electric (PCG) and supplied by Tesla (TSLA).

Last year, Vistra stock rocketed 258%, placing it among the top S&P 500 stocks and the best 100 stocks of 2024.

Vistra stock has a 97 Composite Rating out of 99. Additionally, the S&P 500 stock has a 98 Relative Strength Rating and a 48 EPS Rating out of 99.

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