Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. Invests $1.13 Million in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Ausdal Financial Partners acquired a new $1.13 million stake in Valero Energy during the second quarter, while institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of the company.
• Valero reported strong quarterly results, with earnings of $12.54 per share and revenue of $44.48 billion, exceeding analyst expectations. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share, equal to a 1.4% annualized yield.
• Analyst sentiment remains positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, though Valero’s sharp share-price gains and elevated valuation could leave the stock vulnerable if refining margins weaken.

Ausdal Financial Partners Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 4,340 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $1,130,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% in the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $27,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 134.0% in the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Torren Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

VLO opened at $348.67 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market cap of $100.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.47, a PEG ratio of 0.22 and a beta of 0.55. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $146.76 and a 52-week high of $353.00. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $299.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $257.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. The company had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%.The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.28 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 40.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st will be issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. UBS Group boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $280.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. Zacks Research upgraded Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $289.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Valero Energy from $232.00 to $255.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $350.00 target price on Valero Energy in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $288.00.

Trending Headlines about Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Strong refining environment supports earnings: Valero and Marathon Petroleum have more than doubled in 2026 as global refining margins surged amid supply disruptions. Barron’s reportedly sees additional upside for U.S. refiners if favorable market conditions persist. Marathon Petroleum and Valero Energy Have Exploded in 2026, But Barron’s Sees More Upside
• Positive Sentiment: Cash and balance-sheet strength may support shareholder returns: Analysts highlight Valero’s approximately $7.9 billion cash balance, low leverage, and history of capital returns. Refinery upgrades could improve future cash generation and provide flexibility for dividends, buybacks, or debt management. Will Valero’s Excess Cash Translate Into Higher Shareholder Returns?
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and style-screen support remains favorable: Valero is being promoted as a growth, value, low-beta, and low-leverage idea. Zacks lists VLO among its Strong Buy growth stocks, while the average Wall Street recommendation is equivalent to Buy. Falling Treasury yields may also improve the appeal of financially resilient companies. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for August 25th
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero compares favorably with Marathon Petroleum: Marathon offers a lower valuation and MPLX exposure, but commentary favors Valero for its stronger balance sheet and share-price momentum. Marathon vs. Valero: Which Refining Stock Is the Better Buy Now?
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation creates downside risk: After substantial gains, including strong one- and three-month performance, some analysis questions whether Valero now trades above fair value. Investors may therefore become more sensitive to weaker refining margins or profit-taking. Is Valero Energy Fully Valued as Shares Trade Above Fair Value?

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total transaction of $2,011,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at $5,294,212.14. This trade represents a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 0.36% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Valero Energy Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company's operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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