Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Stock Position Increased by Foster & Motley Inc.

Foster & Motley Inc. boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 13.0% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 16,868 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after buying an additional 1,947 shares during the period. Foster & Motley Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,644,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at $31,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Trading Down 2.9 %

NYSE VLO opened at $135.52 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.48, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $119.88 and a 1-year high of $184.79. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $149.24 and its 200-day simple moving average is $155.50. The company has a market capitalization of $43.42 billion, a PE ratio of 6.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.40.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The oil and gas company reported $2.71 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.60 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $34.49 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $32.97 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 4.25%. The business’s revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $5.40 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 12.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 1st were given a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 1st. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 21.20%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. Wolfe Research started coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, July 18th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $177.00 target price for the company. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $171.00 to $165.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, July 9th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $172.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $187.00 to $169.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, June 14th. Finally, Scotiabank lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $174.50.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.