Community Financial Services Group LLC Trims Holdings in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Community Financial Services Group LLC lowered its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 25.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 14,690 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 4,969 shares during the period. Community Financial Services Group LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,940,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $52,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.6%

Shares of NYSE:VLO traded down $2.21 during trading on Friday, hitting $134.76. 8,049,061 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,050,290. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.62, a PEG ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.99. 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 Corporation has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $167.78. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $127.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $127.70.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.27). Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The company had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.54 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.82 earnings per share. Valero Energy's revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.35%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 20th. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on the stock. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Raymond James Financial decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $155.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $127.00 to $154.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Evercore ISI started coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Barclays lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $150.88.

Valero Energy Profile

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.