Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Now Covered by Analysts at Evercore ISI

Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat reports. The firm issued an in-line rating and a $135.00 price objective on the oil and gas company’s stock.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on VLO. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Valero Energy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $127.00 to $154.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Barclays lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $150.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. TD Cowen lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $121.00 to $118.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $144.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $150.88.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.7%

VLO opened at $139.42 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $123.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $127.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.56. Valero Energy has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $167.78. The stock has a market capitalization of $43.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 49.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.99.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The business’s revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.82 EPS. Analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.24%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 159.72%.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its position in Valero Energy by 156.6% during the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Hemington Wealth Management boosted its position in Valero Energy by 39.9% during the 1st quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.