Auxier Asset Management Reduces Stock Position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Auxier Asset Management lessened its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 3.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 57,055 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 2,113 shares during the quarter. Valero Energy makes up approximately 1.1% of Auxier Asset Management's investment portfolio, making the stock its 29th largest position. Auxier Asset Management's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $6,994,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Tobam bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $37,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC raised its stake in Valero Energy by 122.0% during the fourth quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Stock Up 1.6%

Valero Energy stock traded up $2.08 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $130.63. 2,426,447 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,036,637. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $40.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.40, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.98. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $167.78. The business's 50-day moving average price is $121.10 and its 200-day moving average price is $128.41.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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). Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. The business had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.54 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.82 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.46%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 20th. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 159.72%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Piper Sandler lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $144.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 9th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. 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 research note on Friday, April 11th. Tudor Pickering raised shares of Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $150.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Two 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $151.93.

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.