Strategic Financial Concepts LLC Has $212,000 Position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Strategic Financial Concepts LLC decreased its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 98.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,606 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 93,214 shares during the quarter. Strategic Financial Concepts LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $212,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on VLO. Scotiabank reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $152.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 28th. Evercore ISI began coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 target price on the stock. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $121.00 to $118.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $151.75.

Valero Energy Trading Up 3.4%

NYSE:VLO traded up $4.89 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $148.63. 7,593,548 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,076,102. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 1.00. 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 fifty day simple moving average of $131.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $128.54.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced 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 company had revenue of $28.76 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 6.30% and a net margin of 0.72%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $3.82 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 20th were given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.04%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 20th. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

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.