Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. Decreases Stock Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. lessened its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 2.5% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 25,447 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 652 shares during the quarter. Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $3,120,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Barclays cut their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 11th. Citigroup cut their target price 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. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Mizuho decreased their target price 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.57.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

NYSE VLO opened at $135.00 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $42.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.11, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The company has a fifty day moving average of $131.27 and a 200-day moving average of $137.96.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $7.49 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.35%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio 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.