Tyche Wealth Partners LLC Takes Position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)

Tyche Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 4,288 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $566,000.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. Sigma Planning Corp grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 6.3% during the 4th quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 8,040 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $986,000 after acquiring an additional 476 shares in the last quarter. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $145,000. Horizon Advisory Services Inc. grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Horizon Advisory Services Inc. now owns 2,116 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $259,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Daner Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $410,000. Finally, Denali Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 28.1% during the 4th quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 4,100 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $503,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO traded down $2.21 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $134.76. The company's stock had a trading volume of 8,049,061 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,050,290. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $127.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $127.70. Valero Energy Corporation has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $167.78. The company has a market cap of $42.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.99.

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

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 20th were issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.35%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VLO has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Raymond James Financial decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $155.00 and set a "strong-buy" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $152.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. Three investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $150.88.

Valero Energy 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.