Intellectus Partners LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Intellectus Partners LLC increased its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 156.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,477 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after acquiring an additional 5,169 shares during the quarter. Intellectus Partners LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,145,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. International Private Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,970 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $309,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 1.6% during the second quarter. OmniStar Financial Group Inc. now owns 4,543 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $712,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 5.5% during the second quarter. Everhart Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,366 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $214,000 after acquiring an additional 71 shares in the last quarter. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy by 1.4% in the 2nd quarter. St. Johns Investment Management Company LLC now owns 5,068 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $794,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Magnus Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 4.3% in the 2nd quarter. Magnus Financial Group LLC now owns 1,752 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $275,000 after purchasing an additional 73 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of VLO stock traded up $0.14 on Friday, hitting $140.16. 2,255,389 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,949,318. The firm has a market cap of $44.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.73, a PEG ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 1.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $135.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $146.70. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $120.21 and a 52 week high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) 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 firm had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $7.49 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 9.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.05%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is 38.39%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently commented on VLO shares. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday. TD Cowen dropped their target price 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. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 target price for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $155.86.

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.