Manning & Napier Advisors LLC Cuts Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Manning & Napier Advisors LLC trimmed its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 4.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 93,199 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 4,814 shares during the period. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $11,425,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of VLO. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 196.8% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Scotiabank decreased their price target 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. Mizuho cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. 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 for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.54.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of VLO stock traded down $2.15 on Thursday, reaching $136.21. 1,692,984 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,941,476. Valero Energy Co. has a one year low of $116.84 and a one year high of $184.79. The company has a market cap of $43.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.17, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a 50-day moving average of $131.11 and a 200-day moving average of $137.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. Analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. This is an increase from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.32%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 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.