Valero Energy Corporation $VLO Holdings Lessened by Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC

Key Points

• Foster Victor Wealth Advisors cut its Valero Energy position by 12.1% in the third quarter, selling 11,090 shares and retaining 80,198 shares valued at approximately $31.1 million. Institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of VLO.
• Valero’s outlook is supported by higher refining margins and strong recent results: the company reported quarterly EPS of $12.54 versus the $10.11 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 48.8% year over year to $44.48 billion.
• Analyst sentiment is moderately positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and a $382.62 target price. However, VLO shares opened at $436.56—near their $461.52 one-year high—while some analysts maintain Hold or Neutral ratings.

Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 12.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 80,198 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 11,090 shares during the period. Valero Energy makes up about 1.4% of Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 12th largest position. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $31,086,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 57.6% during the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 134.0% in the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Higher refining margins are raising expectations for Valero’s third-quarter performance. As a major independent petroleum refiner, VLO could benefit from improved crack spreads and stronger profitability in its core refining business. Valero Energy's Q3 Earnings Approach: Higher Refining Margins Fuel Optimism
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s recent momentum has attracted attention from investors. The stock had gained 2.53% over the prior week, reflecting expectations that the earnings report could benefit from favorable refining conditions. Valero Energy Is Up 2.53% in One Week
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street is focusing not only on revenue and earnings, but also on key operating metrics expected with the third-quarter results. The report could determine whether the recent rally is supported by fundamentals. Insights Into Valero Energy Q3: Wall Street Projections for Key Metrics
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s earnings announcement is the immediate focus for traders, increasing the likelihood of heightened volatility around the release. Valero previously reported a strong quarter, with earnings and revenue exceeding expectations, which sets a high bar for another upside surprise.
• Negative Sentiment: A report indicated that Valero shares fell 1.80% amid the run-up to the scheduled results, suggesting some profit-taking or caution ahead of the announcement. Investors may also be concerned that favorable refining-margin expectations are already reflected in the stock. Valero Energy Scheduled Results
• Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical disruptions have contributed to higher diesel costs, creating potential pressure on fuel consumers and operating expenses. The proposed $8 billion farmer relief program could cushion diesel demand, but it also underscores continued energy-market instability. Trump Announces $8B Bailout for Farmers

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have issued reports on VLO. Mizuho lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $300.00 to $434.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Valero Energy from $401.00 to $394.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, October 8th. TD Cowen raised their target price on Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $365.00 to $457.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Finally, Barclays upped their price target on Valero Energy from $323.00 to $441.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have issued a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $382.62.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO stock opened at $436.56 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $389.82 and a 200-day moving average of $308.10. Valero Energy Corporation has a one year low of $156.26 and a one year high of $461.52. The company has a market cap of $125.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.11, a P/E/G ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.59.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The business had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.47 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.28 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 52.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company's primary business is refining and marketing transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero operates refineries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its refining operations also produce asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks and other petroleum-based products. The company markets fuel through wholesale channels and branded retail networks, including Valero, Beacon and Shamrock-branded locations.

In addition to conventional refining, Valero has businesses focused on renewable fuels.

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