First Command Advisory Services Inc. Has $44,000 Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

First Command Advisory Services Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 29.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 360 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 150 shares during the period. First Command Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $44,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Tobam acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position 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 valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the period. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on VLO shares. Tudor Pickering upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.46.

Valero Energy Price Performance

VLO opened at $129.65 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $41.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.29, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.42. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $131.82 and a 200 day moving average of $135.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. Valero Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $116.84 and a fifty-two week high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly 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 net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. On average, research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.49%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 53.30%.

About Valero Energy

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.