Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC Invests $3.69 Million in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 27,946 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $3,691,000. Valero Energy makes up 1.0% of Wealth Advisory Solutions LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest holding.

A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sendero Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,198 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $2,668,000 after purchasing an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC raised its position in Valero Energy by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC now owns 178,293 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $21,857,000 after buying an additional 5,203 shares during the last quarter. United Capital Management of KS Inc. boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. United Capital Management of KS Inc. now owns 75,721 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $9,283,000 after acquiring an additional 2,679 shares during the last quarter. AlTi Global Inc. boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 18.2% during the fourth quarter. AlTi Global Inc. now owns 64,793 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $8,585,000 after purchasing an additional 9,963 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Trexquant Investment LP increased its stake in Valero Energy by 1,930.4% in the 4th quarter. Trexquant Investment LP now owns 113,603 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $13,927,000 after buying an additional 108,008 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Price Performance

VLO stock traded down $1.70 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $153.11. 3,054,926 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,081,593. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $133.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $128.93. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $167.78. The company has a market capitalization of $47.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 54.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.09.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The firm had revenue of $28.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.82 EPS. Valero Energy's revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.95%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have weighed in on VLO shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Valero Energy from $151.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday. Scotiabank cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price objective for the stock from $127.00 to $154.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 target price for the company. 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's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $153.56.

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.