Gerber LLC Takes Position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Gerber LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 2,692 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $356,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Patten Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $277,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in Valero Energy by 4.0% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 10,701,232 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,311,864,000 after purchasing an additional 413,963 shares during the last quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy by 11.0% during the first quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC now owns 20,198 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $2,668,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 23.0% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 16,056 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,920,000 after buying an additional 3,004 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Applied Finance Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Applied Finance Capital Management LLC now owns 178,293 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $21,857,000 after buying an additional 5,203 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of VLO stock traded down $1.24 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $135.82. 2,972,879 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,042,027. The company has a market capitalization of $42.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.99, a P/E/G ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.99. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $125.64 and its 200 day simple moving average is $127.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.56. Valero Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $99.00 and a fifty-two week high of $167.78.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The firm had revenue of $28.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.54 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.82 earnings per share. The business's revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.33%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on VLO shares. Mizuho raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Piper Sandler lowered 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. Raymond James Financial reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $155.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $150.88.

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.