Ruggaard & Associates LLC Acquires Shares of 3,703 Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Ruggaard & Associates LLC acquired 3,703 Valero shares worth approximately $964,000 in the second quarter, making VLO its 29th-largest portfolio holding. Institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of Valero.
• Analyst sentiment remains favorable, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $288, although Erste Group downgraded the stock to “hold” after its strong rally near the 52-week high.
• Valero reported quarterly EPS of $12.54, surpassing estimates by $2.43, while revenue rose 48.8% year over year to $44.48 billion. The company also declared a $1.20 quarterly dividend, equivalent to a $4.80 annualized payout and a 1.4% yield.

Ruggaard & Associates LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,703 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $964,000. Valero Energy accounts for about 0.3% of Ruggaard & Associates LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of VLO. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% in the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares during the period. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 134.0% during the first 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 bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on VLO shares. Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $280.00 to $355.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, July 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $286.00 to $357.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Mizuho upped their target price on Valero Energy from $289.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised Valero Energy from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Thursday, August 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $288.00.

Valero Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Tight global refining capacity, low light-product inventories and supply disruptions are supporting stronger refining margins. Valero’s flexible coastal refinery network is positioned to benefit if these conditions persist. Is Valero Energy Poised to Benefit From a Tight Refining Market?
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was included in a Zacks list of Rank #1 “Strong Buy” growth stocks, reflecting favorable earnings momentum and growth characteristics. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for August 27th
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s approximately $7.9 billion cash balance, low leverage and established capital-return program provide financial flexibility. Refinery upgrades could further improve cash generation and shareholder returns. Will Valero’s Excess Cash Translate Into Higher Shareholder Returns?
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage also points to falling Treasury yields, strong earnings trends and low debt as potential supports for VLO, while Barron’s sees additional upside after the shares more than doubled in 2026 on surging refining margins. 3 Growth Stocks to Buy as Treasury Yields Fall
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero was highlighted in several investment screens and value-oriented articles, increasing visibility but adding limited new company-specific information.
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank AG downgraded Valero from “buy” to “hold.” The move may temper enthusiasm, particularly with the stock trading close to its 52-week high after a substantial rally. Finviz Valero Energy coverage

Valero Energy Trading Down 0.3%

VLO opened at $346.90 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.39, a PEG ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Valero Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $149.52 and a fifty-two week high of $353.00. The company's 50 day moving average price is $301.22 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $258.41.

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

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 31st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 19.92%.

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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