Gradient Investments LLC Cuts Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Gradient Investments LLC lessened its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 5.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,618 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 280 shares during the quarter. Gradient Investments LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $566,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy by 196.8% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter worth approximately $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have weighed in on VLO. Scotiabank dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Bank of America began coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.57.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.7 %

NYSE:VLO opened at $139.80 on Friday. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $116.84 and a 1-year high of $184.79. The company has a market capitalization of $44.26 billion, a PE ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $131.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $137.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. The business had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.49 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.23%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.39%.

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.