Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC Increases Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 4.7% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,351 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 285 shares during the quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $779,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of VLO. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $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 worth $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 valued at about $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 4th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Bank of America started coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target on the stock. Citigroup dropped their target price on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Mizuho decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.54.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.9 %

NYSE:VLO opened at $139.44 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $44.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.51, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $131.15 and its 200-day moving average price is $137.71. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $116.84 and a 1-year high of $184.79. 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 Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 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.