Paradiem LLC Has $9.84 Million Stock Holdings in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Paradiem LLC cut its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 43.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 74,511 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 56,999 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy makes up 2.7% of Paradiem LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 21st largest holding. Paradiem LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $9,841,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $29,000. OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Millstone Evans Group LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $44,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at about $52,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth about $58,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Down 2.8%

Shares of Valero Energy stock traded down $4.02 on Monday, reaching $137.08. 3,217,560 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,042,302. The company has a market capitalization of $42.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.44, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Valero Energy Corporation has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $167.78. The company has a 50-day moving average of $125.11 and a 200 day moving average of $127.52.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its 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). The firm had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.82 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th were paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.30%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on VLO shares. Evercore ISI started coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group cut their target price on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Barclays boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Mizuho increased their price target on Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $127.00 to $154.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Three research 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 company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $150.88.

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.