Benjamin Edwards Inc. Takes Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Benjamin Edwards Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 13,966 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $1,886,000.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the second quarter worth about $27,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in 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 period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on VLO shares. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price 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. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $171.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 16th. Piper Sandler lowered shares of Valero Energy from an "overweight" rating to a "neutral" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $169.00 to $123.00 in a report on Friday, September 20th. TD Cowen decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $155.86.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.9 %

Shares of NYSE:VLO traded down $2.59 on Friday, hitting $130.46. 1,000,650 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,909,645. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $120.21 and a 52 week high of $184.79. 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 stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $137.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $144.70. The company has a market cap of $41.30 billion, a PE ratio of 11.93, a PEG ratio of 2.50 and a beta of 1.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $31.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.49 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a $1.07 dividend. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. 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.