Valero Energy Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:VLO)

Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) was the recipient of unusually large options trading on Thursday. Stock traders purchased 38,320 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 204% compared to the typical volume of 12,599 call options.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of VLO stock opened at $135.95 on Friday. Valero Energy has a 52-week low of $119.88 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The stock has a market cap of $43.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.74, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 1.40. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $144.25 and its 200-day moving average is $154.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.04 and a current ratio of 1.48.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The oil and gas company reported $2.71 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.60 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $34.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $32.97 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 21.01% and a net margin of 4.25%. The business’s revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $5.40 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 10.77 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 1st were given a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 1st. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.15%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.20%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $29,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Rise Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Pathway Financial Advisers LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently commented on VLO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $131.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 16th. StockNews.com cut Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 17th. Piper Sandler cut shares of Valero Energy from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $169.00 to $123.00 in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, July 12th. Finally, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $177.00 target price for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $168.07.

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.