Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Grows Stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 6.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 154,162 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after purchasing an additional 8,760 shares during the quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $20,360,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $52,000. Proficio Capital Partners LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $236,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $132,469,000. AMG National Trust Bank boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 32.3% in the 4th quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 2,050 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $251,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. Finally, Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 32.7% in the 4th quarter. Mesirow Financial Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,360 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $290,000 after purchasing an additional 581 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Trading Up 0.3%

Valero Energy stock traded up $0.44 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $149.11. The company had a trading volume of 3,304,032 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,077,209. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $132.49 and a 200 day moving average price of $128.68. The firm has a market cap of $46.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.69, a P/E/G ratio of 2.58 and a beta of 1.00. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $167.78.

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 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.16 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 6.30% and a net margin of 0.72%. Valero Energy's revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.82 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.03%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 159.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on VLO shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on Valero Energy from $151.00 to $168.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Evercore ISI started coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on Valero Energy from $150.00 to $164.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $152.31.

Valero Energy Company 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.