Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation, ten have assigned a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $172.40.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $130.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, March 22nd. Scotiabank upped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $138.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “sector outperform” rating in a report on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $177.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, April 1st. Bank of America upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $156.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Finally, Citigroup began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, January 24th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock.

Valero Energy Trading Down 2.0 %

Shares of VLO stock opened at $173.54 on Friday. Valero Energy has a 1 year low of $104.18 and a 1 year high of $184.79. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $155.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $138.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The company has a market cap of $57.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.02, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.54.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $35.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 31.62%. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $8.45 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 17.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 1st were given a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.47%. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 31st. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 17.31%.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. BKM Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its stake in Valero Energy by 1,676.9% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.