NRG Takeover of Vivint Threatened by $189 Million Courtroom Loss

US power company NRG Energy Inc.’s $2.8 billion bid to buy Vivint Smart Home Inc. has been called into question by a recent $189 million judgment against the security company over a lawsuit alleging misrepresentation to customers.

“The development may give NRG the option to reprice or walk away from the deal,” Guggenheim Securities analysts led by Shahriar Pourreza said in a note Wednesday. “We would not be surprised to see a positive reaction to a deal break.”

An NRG representative said the company was aware of the jury’s decision and noted that its acquisition of Vivint hasn’t closed. ...