WealthBridge Capital Management LLC Sells 509 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

WealthBridge Capital Management LLC lessened its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 16.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,498 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 509 shares during the quarter. WealthBridge Capital Management LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $306,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ieq Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 76.2% in the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 27,988 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $3,431,000 after purchasing an additional 12,106 shares during the period. Emerald Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Emerald Advisors LLC now owns 3,751 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $460,000 after acquiring an additional 266 shares during the period. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 12.8% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 5,697 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $698,000 after acquiring an additional 645 shares during the period. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $89,000. Finally, Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 101.4% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 19,107 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $2,342,000 after acquiring an additional 9,621 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:VLO opened at $137.06 on Thursday. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $130.76 and a 200 day moving average of $135.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.39 billion, a PE ratio of 16.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.91 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 (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 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. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. 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 3.30%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 53.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have issued reports on VLO. 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 report on Monday, November 11th. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. 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 report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Tudor Pickering raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.46.

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.