Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 90,800 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $12,261,000.
A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of VLO. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Lynx Investment Advisory acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $29,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Valero Energy Stock Performance
Shares of NYSE:VLO traded down $0.54 during trading on Monday, hitting $138.54. 813,537 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,916,360. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $120.21 and a 1-year high of $184.79. The company has a market capitalization of $43.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.60 and a beta of 1.40. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $136.92 and its 200-day simple moving average is $145.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57.
Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The company had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.49 EPS. Valero Energy's revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Valero Energy Announces Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a $1.07 dividend. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.09%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is 38.39%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of brokerages have commented on VLO. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $131.00 and set a "sell" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, September 16th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Scotiabank reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Citigroup reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Bank of America began 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 analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $155.86.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on VLO
About Valero Energy
(
Free Report)
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.
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