7,706 Valero Energy Corporation $VLO Shares Sold by Geneva Partners LLC

Key Points

• Geneva Partners reduced its Valero Energy stake by 29.5% in the third quarter, selling 7,706 shares and retaining 18,416 shares valued at approximately $7.14 million. Hedge funds and other institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of VLO.
• Valero reported strong quarterly results, with EPS of $23.90 versus the $21.17 consensus estimate and revenue of $46.10 billion, up 43.3% year over year. Results were supported by strong refining margins.
• Analyst sentiment remains broadly positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $379.94, although weaker future refining margins, crude-price pressure and lighter guidance present downside risks.

Geneva Partners LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 29.5% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,416 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 7,706 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy accounts for about 2.1% of Geneva Partners LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Geneva Partners LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $7,138,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Peterson Wealth Services increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 12.4% in the third quarter. Peterson Wealth Services now owns 1,573 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $610,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 2.9% in the 3rd quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,237 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $4,743,000 after acquiring an additional 347 shares during the period. First Interstate Bank acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $223,000. Sigma Planning Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 7,171 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $2,779,000 after acquiring an additional 29 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Straight Path Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $300,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Positive earnings momentum: Recent coverage says Valero is well positioned for a potential near-term surge because analysts have been revising earnings estimates higher. The company’s latest reported quarter also substantially exceeded consensus EPS and revenue expectations, supported by strong refining margins. Why Valero Energy Might Be Well Poised for a Surge
• Positive Sentiment: Growth and valuation appeal: Zacks characterizes VLO as having several solid growth attributes that could help it outperform the broader market. The stock’s strong profitability, recent earnings growth and relatively low valuation may be attracting investors. Is Valero Energy a Solid Growth Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Wall Street coverage remains mixed but includes a “Moderate Buy” consensus, with Citigroup and Barclays analysts expecting additional appreciation. Valero Stock Rated Moderate Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: Potential defensive characteristics: Commentary presents Valero as a possible hedge during periods of market or energy-sector uncertainty, while emphasizing that the strategy involves trade-offs and remains exposed to cyclical refining conditions. Valero: A Potential Hedge, But Not Without Trade-Offs
• Negative Sentiment: Downside risks remain: Valero’s record quarter was accompanied by lighter fourth-quarter guidance, while potential Russian diesel imports, crude-price pressure and weaker refining margins could reduce future earnings. Valero’s Windfall Quarter Meets Washington’s Push for Cheaper Diesel
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking risk: Investor Michael Burry is considering selling, reducing or donating some long-held positions, including Valero, because he views valuations as stretched. Freedom Broker also issued a sell rating, creating a counterweight to the more bullish analyst forecasts. Michael Burry Eyes the Exit on Valero

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VLO has been the subject of several recent research reports. UBS Group reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $467.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Zacks Research upgraded Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Erste Group Bank downgraded Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group decreased 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $379.94.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

NYSE:VLO opened at $426.23 on Tuesday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $392.44 and a two-hundred day moving average of $279.72. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The stock has a market cap of $122.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.43, a PEG ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 0.59. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $159.90 and a 1-year high of $461.52.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $23.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $21.17 by $2.73. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 47.50% and a net margin of 8.44%. The business had revenue of $46.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $42.71 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $3.66 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 43.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 54.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Valero Energy

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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