Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have given a buy recommendation and three have assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $183.20.

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Bank of America reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $195.00 target price (down previously from $198.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, December 11th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed a “strong-buy” rating and issued a $195.00 price objective (up from $181.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 24th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Valero Energy from $216.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price target on Valero Energy from $201.00 to $223.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 14th.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $165.49 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The stock has a market capitalization of $50.47 billion, a PE ratio of 34.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.76. Valero Energy has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $185.62. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $171.82 and its 200-day moving average price is $157.32.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.51. The company had revenue of $32.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.80 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 8.69% and a net margin of 1.21%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.14 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th were paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, November 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 94.36%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Valero Energy news, CFO Jason W. Fraser sold 9,933 shares of Valero Energy stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.02, for a total transaction of $1,728,540.66. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 134,196 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $23,352,787.92. The trade was a 6.89% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.04% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of VLO. Magnetar Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the first quarter worth $227,000. Quarry LP grew its position in Valero Energy by 895.1% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 3,831 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $506,000 after buying an additional 3,446 shares in the last quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 33.8% in the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 10,552 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,394,000 after acquiring an additional 2,668 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 3.8% in the 1st quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 193,087 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $25,501,000 after acquiring an additional 7,002 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Perbak Capital Partners LLP purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter worth about $362,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.