Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas Trims Stock Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas reduced its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 0.5% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 58,138 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 290 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy makes up approximately 1.6% of Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas’ portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Community Bank & Trust Waco Texas’ holdings in Valero Energy were worth $7,127,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Tobam purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC grew its position 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 worth $37,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Tudor Pickering upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. TD Cowen dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One research 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 stock. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.46.

Valero Energy Price Performance

NYSE VLO opened at $136.76 on Tuesday. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $116.84 and a 52 week high of $184.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.13, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $130.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $137.05.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released 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%. Equities research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.30%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.30%.

Valero Energy Company 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.