Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Stock Holdings Boosted by UMB Bank n.a.

UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 2.3% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 11,473 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after buying an additional 255 shares during the quarter. UMB Bank n.a.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,406,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter worth about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its stake 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 valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VLO has been the subject of several research reports. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target on the stock. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.57.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.1 %

VLO opened at $139.50 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $44.16 billion, a PE ratio of 12.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 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 fifty-two week low of $116.84 and a fifty-two week high of $184.79. The business has a 50-day moving average of $131.31 and a 200-day moving average of $138.08.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $7.49 earnings per share. The company’s revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.39%.

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.