Principal Securities Inc. Decreases Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Principal Securities Inc. trimmed its position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 30.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,142 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 2,705 shares during the quarter. Principal Securities Inc.'s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $753,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Palumbo Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $389,000. bLong Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $247,000. ABC Arbitrage SA acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $555,000. Quadrant Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Valero Energy by 1.1% in the fourth quarter. Quadrant Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 18,666 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $2,288,000 after acquiring an additional 203 shares during the last quarter. Finally, V Square Quantitative Management LLC lifted its stake in Valero Energy by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 7,286 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $893,000 after purchasing an additional 508 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Down 3.2 %

VLO traded down $4.47 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $134.67. The company had a trading volume of 2,938,872 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,136,034. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $116.84 and a 52 week high of $184.79. The company has a market capitalization of $42.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.88, a PEG ratio of 2.89 and a beta of 1.42. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $130.95 and its 200 day moving average price is $135.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is a boost from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.36%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 53.30%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on VLO. Tudor Pickering raised Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Citigroup lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. TD Cowen cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $154.46.

Valero Energy Company 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.