MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB Decreases Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB trimmed its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 9.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 38,562 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 3,845 shares during the period. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $4,727,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VLO. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% during the third 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 period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter worth $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VLO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Mizuho cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. TD Cowen lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Citigroup decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.57.

Valero Energy Trading Up 1.3 %

NYSE:VLO opened at $141.21 on Tuesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.70 billion, a P/E 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. Valero Energy Co. has a one year low of $116.84 and a one year high of $184.79. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $131.25 and its 200 day simple moving average is $138.20.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $7.49 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is currently 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.