Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. Grows Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. raised its position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 6.3% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 239,632 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after acquiring an additional 14,143 shares during the quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. owned approximately 0.07% of Valero Energy worth $32,358,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the second quarter worth approximately $27,000. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Summit Securities Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter valued at $31,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

NYSE VLO traded up $6.65 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $138.71. 3,046,207 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,977,764. Valero Energy Co. has a 12-month low of $119.88 and a 12-month high of $184.79. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $136.20 and a 200 day moving average of $147.77. The company has a market cap of $44.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 1.39. 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 issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The business had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $7.49 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 9.32 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.09%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 38.39%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have issued reports on VLO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Barclays dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $146.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $171.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, July 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $177.00 price target for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $156.29.

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.