Groupama Asset Managment Buys 28,554 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Groupama Asset Managment grew its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 31.4% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 119,413 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after buying an additional 28,554 shares during the quarter. Groupama Asset Managment's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $16,124,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at $27,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Finally, Triad Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages recently commented on VLO. TD Cowen reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $149.00 to $131.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Mizuho dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $171.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 16th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $155.50.

Valero Energy Stock Up 2.9 %

Shares of Valero Energy stock traded up $3.75 on Monday, hitting $135.27. 1,459,580 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,907,716. Valero Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $120.21 and a 12-month high of $184.79. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $136.98 and a 200 day moving average price of $144.23. 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 market cap of $42.82 billion, a PE ratio of 12.03, a PEG ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.40.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $7.49 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.89 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced 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 dividend yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 38.39%.

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.