Peak Retirement Planning Inc. Makes New $822,000 Investment in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Peak Retirement Planning Inc. bought a new position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 6,701 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $822,000.

Other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tobam purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $38,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 122.0% in the 4th quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Up 1.6%

NYSE VLO traded up $2.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $130.63. 2,426,447 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,036,637. The company has a market cap of $40.91 billion, a PE ratio of 15.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $99.00 and a 52 week high of $167.78. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $121.10 and its 200-day simple moving average is $128.41.

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

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 20th. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 159.72%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. Tudor Pickering raised Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Mizuho boosted their target price on Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and raised their price target for the stock from $127.00 to $154.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Two 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $151.93.

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.