CX Institutional Grows Stock Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

CX Institutional raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 8.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 8,628 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after buying an additional 702 shares during the period. CX Institutional’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,058,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 196.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO stock opened at $139.80 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $131.28 and a 200 day moving average price of $137.93. The company has a market cap of $44.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.54, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. Valero Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $116.84 and a 12 month high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping 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 firm had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $7.49 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 earnings per share 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. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.23%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VLO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Mizuho reduced their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Piper Sandler raised Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price 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. Scotiabank cut their target price on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.57.

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.