2,604 Shares in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Purchased by Occidental Asset Management LLC

Occidental Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 2,604 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $319,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% in 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 during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VLO opened at $141.21 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Valero Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $116.84 and a 12-month high of $184.79. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $131.16 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $138.59. The firm has a market cap of $44.70 billion, a PE ratio of 12.66, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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 quarterly revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.49 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.96 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.20%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on VLO shares. Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Mizuho lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Citigroup decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America started coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.57.

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.