SteelPeak Wealth LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

SteelPeak Wealth LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 80.8% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 8,753 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 36,863 shares during the period. SteelPeak Wealth LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,073,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VLO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 2nd. 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. Finally, Barclays dropped their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $154.54.

Valero Energy Price Performance

VLO stock traded down $4.12 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $135.36. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,762,292 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,057,073. Valero Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $116.84 and a 12 month high of $184.79. The company has a 50 day moving average of $131.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.72. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $42.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. On average, analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS 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 given a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.34%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.