25,384 Valero Energy Corporation $VLO Shares Sold by Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.

Key Points

• Crossmark Global Holdings reduced its Valero Energy position by 19% in the third quarter, selling 25,384 shares and retaining 108,022 shares valued at approximately $41.87 million. Institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of VLO.
• Analysts maintain a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating, with an average price target of $382.62; recent targets range from $394 to $450, despite some neutral and hold ratings.
• Valero reported quarterly earnings of $12.54 per share, surpassing estimates of $10.11, while revenue rose 48.8% year over year to $44.48 billion. The stock opened at $436.56 and remains near its 52-week high of $461.52 amid stronger refining-margin expectations.

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lowered its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 19.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 108,022 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 25,384 shares during the quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $41,870,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Blue Zone Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Valero Energy by 2.4% during the third quarter. Blue Zone Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $398,000 after buying an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 2,608 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,011,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 57.6% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 0.6% in the first quarter. V Square Quantitative Management LLC now owns 6,670 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,648,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Finally, Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. increased its stake in Valero Energy by 4.6% in the second quarter. Bouchey Financial Group Ltd. now owns 1,016 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $265,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on VLO. Bank of America increased their target price on Valero Energy from $395.00 to $414.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Friday, October 2nd. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $329.00 to $435.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, September 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $401.00 to $394.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Raymond James Financial upped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $300.00 to $434.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $382.62.

Valero Energy Price Performance

VLO stock opened at $436.56 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $125.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.64. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $156.26 and a 1 year high of $461.52. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $389.82 and a 200-day simple moving average of $308.10.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. The business had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.28 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 52.55 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Key Headlines Impacting Valero Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher refining margins are raising expectations for Valero’s third-quarter performance. As a major independent petroleum refiner, VLO could benefit from improved crack spreads and stronger profitability in its core refining business. Valero Energy's Q3 Earnings Approach: Higher Refining Margins Fuel Optimism
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s recent momentum has attracted attention from investors. The stock had gained 2.53% over the prior week, reflecting expectations that the earnings report could benefit from favorable refining conditions. Valero Energy Is Up 2.53% in One Week
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street is focusing not only on revenue and earnings, but also on key operating metrics expected with the third-quarter results. The report could determine whether the recent rally is supported by fundamentals. Insights Into Valero Energy Q3: Wall Street Projections for Key Metrics
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s earnings announcement is the immediate focus for traders, increasing the likelihood of heightened volatility around the release. Valero previously reported a strong quarter, with earnings and revenue exceeding expectations, which sets a high bar for another upside surprise.
• Negative Sentiment: A report indicated that Valero shares fell 1.80% amid the run-up to the scheduled results, suggesting some profit-taking or caution ahead of the announcement. Investors may also be concerned that favorable refining-margin expectations are already reflected in the stock. Valero Energy Scheduled Results
• Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical disruptions have contributed to higher diesel costs, creating potential pressure on fuel consumers and operating expenses. The proposed $8 billion farmer relief program could cushion diesel demand, but it also underscores continued energy-market instability. Trump Announces $8B Bailout for Farmers

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company's primary business is refining and marketing transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero operates refineries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its refining operations also produce asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks and other petroleum-based products. The company markets fuel through wholesale channels and branded retail networks, including Valero, Beacon and Shamrock-branded locations.

In addition to conventional refining, Valero has businesses focused on renewable fuels.

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