Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) Shares Purchased by Arkadios Wealth Advisors

Key Points

• Arkadios Wealth Advisors has increased its stake in Valero Energy Corporation by 72.6%, owning 7,904 shares valued at approximately $1,044,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
• Valero Energy reported earnings of $2.28 per share for the last quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations of $1.66, but its revenue showed a year-over-year decline of 13.3%.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $1.13 per share with a yield of 3.4%, though its payout ratio stands at a high 188.33%.

Arkadios Wealth Advisors raised its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 72.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,904 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after buying an additional 3,324 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors' holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,044,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of VLO. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. increased its stake in Valero Energy by 156.6% during the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, Transce3nd LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Trading Down 3.0%

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $133.17 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $138.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $131.13. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $155.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 55.49, a PEG ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 1.03.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.62. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. The firm had revenue of $29.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $27 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.71 earnings per share. Valero Energy's revenue was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 31st. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 188.33%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup lowered Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their target price for the company from $134.00 to $150.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. TD Cowen cut Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $118.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Scotiabank lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $156.00 to $136.00 and set a "sector outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Raymond James Financial raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $155.00 to $172.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $164.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, July 25th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy currently has an average 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.

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