Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC Boosts Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 130.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,884 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after acquiring an additional 4,456 shares during the quarter. Focus Partners Advisor Solutions LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $967,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Tobam purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 122.0% in the fourth quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Trading Down 1.9%

Shares of NYSE VLO traded down $2.49 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $128.22. 950,381 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,028,544. The company's 50-day moving average is $121.01 and its 200-day moving average is $128.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.12, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.98. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $167.78.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $28.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.82 EPS. Analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.53%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Mizuho raised their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $144.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $152.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their price target on 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. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $151.93.

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.