Washburn Capital Management Inc. Decreases Stock Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Washburn Capital Management Inc. trimmed its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 23.7% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 1,850 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 575 shares during the period. Washburn Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $227,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Tobam acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% in 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 in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of Valero Energy stock opened at $133.05 on Friday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $130.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $137.20. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $116.84 and a twelve month high of $184.79. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.69, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 53.30%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently issued reports on VLO shares. TD Cowen cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Piper Sandler raised Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.46.

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.