Private Advisory Group LLC Acquires New Position in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Private Advisory Group LLC acquired 5,406 Valero Energy shares worth approximately $1.41 million during the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of VLO.
• Valero reported quarterly EPS of $12.54, beating estimates of $10.11, while revenue rose 48.8% year over year to $44.48 billion. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $1.20 per share, equivalent to a 1.4% annual yield.
• VLO shares opened at $341.36, near their 52-week high of $346.09, and analysts maintain a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating with a $288 average price target.

Private Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 5,406 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $1,408,000.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of VLO. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Valero Energy by 134.0% during the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares during the period. Global Assets Advisory LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $27,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO opened at $341.36 on Monday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $283.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $248.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $98.29 billion, a PE ratio of 14.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.55. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $135.01 and a 52-week high of $346.09.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. The firm had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.28 earnings per share. Equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 40.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 31st will be given a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.4%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.92%.

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total transaction of $2,011,275.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 19,742 shares of the company's stock, valued at $5,294,212.14. The trade was a 27.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on VLO. Citigroup boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Wolfe Research reiterated an "underperform" rating and issued a $203.00 target price on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $286.00 to $357.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. TD Cowen upped their price target on Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Valero Energy from $280.00 to $355.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $288.00.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company's operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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