SVB Wealth LLC Purchases Shares of 53,004 Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

SVB Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 53,004 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $6,498,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Valero Energy by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,287,269 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,389,090,000 after purchasing an additional 50,837 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 5.6% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 4,687,585 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $639,268,000 after purchasing an additional 247,630 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 13.6% during the fourth quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 4,072,188 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $499,210,000 after purchasing an additional 487,022 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 4,908.0% during the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 2,850,526 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $384,907,000 after purchasing an additional 2,793,607 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 6.3% in the 3rd quarter. Montrusco Bolton Investments Inc. now owns 2,533,434 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $342,090,000 after purchasing an additional 151,200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO stock traded down $0.67 on Tuesday, reaching $127.73. The stock had a trading volume of 3,151,734 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,779,499. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. Valero Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $116.84 and a 1 year high of $184.79. The stock has a market cap of $40.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.04, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $132.25 and a 200 day simple moving average of $134.90.

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

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th were given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.54%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy's payout ratio is 53.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently weighed in on VLO. Piper Sandler raised Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Barclays lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Mizuho cut their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Tudor Pickering raised shares of Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $154.46.

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.