Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Shares Sold by Sapient Capital LLC

Sapient Capital LLC lowered its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 19.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 9,135 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 2,179 shares during the quarter. Sapient Capital LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,120,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Valero Energy by 18.0% in the 4th quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,251 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $276,000 after acquiring an additional 343 shares during the period. swisspartners Advisors Ltd lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 4.2% in the 4th quarter. swisspartners Advisors Ltd now owns 46,420 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $5,691,000 after purchasing an additional 1,890 shares in the last quarter. Comprehensive Financial Planning Inc. PA purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $110,000. Angeles Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,556 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $313,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Stiles Financial Services Inc lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 20.7% in the 4th quarter. Stiles Financial Services Inc now owns 15,520 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $1,903,000 after purchasing an additional 2,664 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Piper Sandler upgraded Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Finally, Barclays reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.46.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of VLO opened at $136.90 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $43.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 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. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $130.59 and its 200 day moving average price is $136.90. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) 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, sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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 is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is currently 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.