Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50, Zacks reports. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%.

Valero Energy Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE VLO traded down $0.48 on Thursday, hitting $137.87. 691,486 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,876,064. The company's 50-day moving average price is $131.11 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $137.72. The company has a market capitalization of $43.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. Valero Energy has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.28%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is an increase from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is 38.39%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on VLO shares. TD Cowen cut their target price on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho dropped their target price on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Citigroup decreased their price target 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $154.54.

About Valero Energy

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.