Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) Shares Bought by D.A. Davidson & CO.

D.A. Davidson & CO. grew its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 4.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 69,621 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after purchasing an additional 3,044 shares during the quarter. D.A. Davidson & CO.'s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $9,195,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 373,052 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $49,269,000 after buying an additional 12,498 shares during the last quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 5.2% in the first quarter. MBM Wealth Consultants LLC now owns 12,244 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $1,617,000 after acquiring an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 15.2% in the first quarter. Mutual Advisors LLC now owns 7,795 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $1,029,000 after acquiring an additional 1,029 shares during the last quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 1.7% during the first quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 27,561 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $3,640,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in Valero Energy by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 3,536 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $467,000 after purchasing an additional 311 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Price Performance

NYSE:VLO opened at $143.53 on Friday. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52 week low of $99.00 and a 52 week high of $167.78. The stock's fifty day moving average is $129.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $127.99. The company has a market capitalization of $44.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 50.72, a P/E/G ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.09, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.72% and a return on equity of 6.30%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.82 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders 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 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.15%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on VLO shares. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Scotiabank lowered their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Raymond James Financial increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $150.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday. Evercore ISI assumed coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $145.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $150.88.

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.

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