United Capital Management of KS Inc. Purchases 4,267 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• United Capital Management of KS Inc. increased its stake in Valero Energy Corporation by 5.6% during Q1, owning 79,988 shares valued at approximately $10.56 million.
• Valero Energy recently reported quarterly earnings of $2.28 per share, exceeding estimates, with revenue of $29.89 billion, though reflecting a year-over-year decline of 13.3%.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.13 per share, to be paid on September 2nd, with a current dividend yield of 3.3%.

United Capital Management of KS Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 5.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 79,988 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,267 shares during the period. Valero Energy comprises 2.2% of United Capital Management of KS Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. United Capital Management of KS Inc.'s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $10,564,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 9.6% during the 4th quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 77,622 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $9,520,000 after acquiring an additional 6,791 shares during the last quarter. Sagespring Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $219,000. Zacks Investment Management boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 7.6% during the 4th quarter. Zacks Investment Management now owns 4,568 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $560,000 after acquiring an additional 322 shares during the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 21.3% during the 4th quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 404,239 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $49,514,000 after acquiring an additional 71,117 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Arrow Capital Pty Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $3,187,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy Trading Up 0.7%

NYSE:VLO traded up $0.9970 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $137.8070. 1,501,295 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,291,732. The stock has a market capitalization of $42.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.42, a PEG ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $99.00 and a 52 week high of $155.12. The firm's 50 day moving average is $139.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $130.77.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.66 by $0.62. The company had revenue of $29.89 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $27 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.71 EPS. On average, equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation 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 Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 31st will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 31st. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 188.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

VLO has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $127.00 to $154.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. TD Cowen cut shares of Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $118.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $151.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Mizuho increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 price objective for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $154.47.

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.