Advisory Services Network LLC Sells 4,074 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Advisory Services Network LLC trimmed its position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 10.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 33,731 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 4,074 shares during the period. Advisory Services Network LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $4,135,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in VLO. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $669,400,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 16.1% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 34,725,700 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $4,257,024,000 after buying an additional 4,805,133 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $132,469,000. Prudential Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 159.3% in the 4th quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 850,161 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $104,221,000 after acquiring an additional 522,233 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 13.6% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,072,188 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $499,210,000 after acquiring an additional 487,022 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

VLO stock traded down $1.33 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $109.00. The stock had a trading volume of 942,463 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,971,570. The stock has a market capitalization of $34.33 billion, a PE ratio of 12.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.17. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $127.39 and a 200 day simple moving average of $131.52. Valero Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $99.00 and a fifty-two week high of $174.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

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Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th were paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.15%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, January 30th. This is a boost from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is 53.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Tudor Pickering upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $144.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 7th. Raymond James decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $155.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $152.46.

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.