Hosking Partners LLP Sells 3,846 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Hosking Partners reduced its Valero Energy stake by 9.6%, selling 3,846 shares and retaining 36,369 shares valued at approximately $14.1 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 78.69% of VLO.
• Analyst sentiment remains generally positive, with Valero carrying a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $382.62, although individual targets range as high as $485.
• Valero recently beat quarterly expectations, reporting $12.54 in EPS and $44.48 billion in revenue, while higher refining margins are fueling optimism ahead of its next results. Shares opened at $436.56, near their 12-month high of $461.52.

Hosking Partners LLP lessened its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 9.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 36,369 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 3,846 shares during the quarter. Hosking Partners LLP's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $14,097,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of VLO. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at $1,195,943,000. Amundi grew its position in Valero Energy by 45.3% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 2,584,976 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $638,695,000 after acquiring an additional 806,018 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 33.9% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,058,341 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $536,074,000 after purchasing an additional 520,642 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $59,917,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 18.4% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,842,339 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $702,285,000 after purchasing an additional 442,177 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently commented on VLO shares. TD Cowen lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Zacks Research raised Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $389.00 to $485.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $302.00 to $485.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $382.62.

Trending Headlines about Valero Energy

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher refining margins are raising expectations for Valero’s third-quarter performance. As a major independent petroleum refiner, VLO could benefit from improved crack spreads and stronger profitability in its core refining business. Valero Energy's Q3 Earnings Approach: Higher Refining Margins Fuel Optimism
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s recent momentum has attracted attention from investors. The stock had gained 2.53% over the prior week, reflecting expectations that the earnings report could benefit from favorable refining conditions. Valero Energy Is Up 2.53% in One Week
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street is focusing not only on revenue and earnings, but also on key operating metrics expected with the third-quarter results. The report could determine whether the recent rally is supported by fundamentals. Insights Into Valero Energy Q3: Wall Street Projections for Key Metrics
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s earnings announcement is the immediate focus for traders, increasing the likelihood of heightened volatility around the release. Valero previously reported a strong quarter, with earnings and revenue exceeding expectations, which sets a high bar for another upside surprise.
• Negative Sentiment: A report indicated that Valero shares fell 1.80% amid the run-up to the scheduled results, suggesting some profit-taking or caution ahead of the announcement. Investors may also be concerned that favorable refining-margin expectations are already reflected in the stock. Valero Energy Scheduled Results
• Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical disruptions have contributed to higher diesel costs, creating potential pressure on fuel consumers and operating expenses. The proposed $8 billion farmer relief program could cushion diesel demand, but it also underscores continued energy-market instability. Trump Announces $8B Bailout for Farmers

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.7%

Shares of VLO opened at $436.56 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $125.70 billion, a PE ratio of 18.11, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.59. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $156.26 and a 12 month high of $461.52. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $389.82 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $308.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%. The company had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.28 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 52.55 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company's primary business is refining and marketing transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero operates refineries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its refining operations also produce asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks and other petroleum-based products. The company markets fuel through wholesale channels and branded retail networks, including Valero, Beacon and Shamrock-branded locations.

In addition to conventional refining, Valero has businesses focused on renewable fuels.

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