Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Shares Bought by World Investment Advisors LLC

World Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 34.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 4,245 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,093 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $573,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at about $27,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in 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 worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently issued reports on VLO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $149.00 to $131.00 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $155.07.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.1 %

VLO stock opened at $124.89 on Wednesday. Valero Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $122.91 and a 12 month high of $184.79. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $135.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $142.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.54 billion, a PE ratio of 11.20, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.39. 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, 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 firm had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $7.49 earnings per share. Valero Energy’s revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.86 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be given a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.43%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.39%.

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.