Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC Acquires 7,405 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 256.5% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 10,292 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after purchasing an additional 7,405 shares during the period. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,390,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. M&G Plc purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at about $2,963,000. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $87,000. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. grew its position in Valero Energy by 3.9% during the 2nd quarter. Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. now owns 19,449 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $3,049,000 after purchasing an additional 732 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Valero Energy by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,129 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $647,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, 180 Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at $535,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.8 %

Valero Energy stock traded up $1.00 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $133.32. 2,348,814 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,909,896. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $120.21 and a 1-year high of $184.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $136.87 and a two-hundred day moving average of $143.82. The stock has a market cap of $42.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating 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 for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $7.49 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a $1.07 dividend. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.21%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 20th. Valero Energy's payout ratio is 38.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on VLO. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $131.00 and set a "sell" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, September 16th. Mizuho lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $171.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 4th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $155.50.

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.