Focus Partners Wealth Has $6.19 Million Stock Position in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Focus Partners Wealth increased its position in Valero Energy Corporation to 46,854 shares, worth approximately $6.19 million, reflecting a 37% growth in the first quarter of the year.
• Valero Energy reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $2.28 for the most recent quarter, surpassing analyst estimates of $1.66, although revenue was down 13.3% year-over-year.
• The firm declared a quarterly dividend of $1.13, representing an annualized yield of 2.9%, with an exceptionally high payout ratio of 188.33%.

Focus Partners Wealth grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 37.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 46,854 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after buying an additional 12,655 shares during the quarter. Focus Partners Wealth's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $6,188,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at about $26,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 156.6% during the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 130 shares during the last quarter. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Hemington Wealth Management grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 39.9% during the first quarter. Hemington Wealth Management now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 95 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ransom Advisory Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at about $43,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

NYSE VLO opened at $156.78 on Monday. The company's 50 day moving average is $145.24 and its 200-day moving average is $132.92. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $99.00 and a 12-month high of $163.02. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a market cap of $48.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 65.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.10.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.62. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. The company had revenue of $29.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.71 earnings per share. The company's quarterly revenue was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 31st were given a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 31st. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.9%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is 188.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on VLO shares. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $171.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday. Evercore ISI started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 price target on the stock. Raymond James Financial boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $170.00 to $177.00 and gave the stock a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Wolfe Research cut shares of Valero Energy from an "outperform" rating to a "peer perform" rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $158.87.

About Valero Energy

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.

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