Prospera Private Wealth LLC Makes New Investment in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Prospera Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 24,548 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,315,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the second quarter worth $15,945,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its stake in Valero Energy by 1.8% during the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,293,589 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $174,673,000 after acquiring an additional 22,571 shares in the last quarter. 180 Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at about $535,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in Valero Energy by 23.7% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 42,716 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $6,696,000 after acquiring an additional 8,198 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BOKF NA increased its stake in Valero Energy by 402.7% during the first quarter. BOKF NA now owns 17,303 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,987,000 after purchasing an additional 13,861 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

NYSE VLO opened at $142.01 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $136.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $146.15. The company has a market capitalization of $44.96 billion, a PE ratio of 12.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 1.39. Valero Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $120.21 and a 1 year high of $184.79. 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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The business’s revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $7.49 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 4th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Scotiabank lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $131.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 16th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $155.86.

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.