Brady Martz Wealth Solutions LLC Takes $703,000 Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Brady Martz Wealth Solutions LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm bought 5,247 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $703,000.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on VLO. Piper Sandler upgraded Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 4th. Mizuho reduced their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.57.

Valero Energy Trading Up 1.3 %

Shares of VLO stock opened at $141.21 on Friday. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $116.84 and a 1-year high of $184.79. The company has a market cap of $44.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.66, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $131.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $138.48.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share 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 company had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.04 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $7.49 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 38.39%.

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.