Catalina Capital Group LLC Sells 97 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Catalina Capital Group LLC reduced its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 5.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,839 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 97 shares during the quarter. Catalina Capital Group LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $225,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at $38,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Up 2.4 %

NYSE:VLO opened at $136.22 on Tuesday. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $116.84 and a 52 week high of $184.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $130.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $137.43. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. Research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.29 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.30%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently issued reports on VLO. Barclays cut their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday. Finally, Piper Sandler raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.46.

Valero Energy 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.