Valero Energy Corporation $VLO Stock Position Trimmed by Inceptionr LLC

Key Points

• Inceptionr LLC cut its stake in Valero by 54% in Q3, selling 7,246 shares and leaving 6,180 shares valued at $1.052 million.
• Valero beat expectations for the most recent quarter with EPS of $3.82 versus a $3.27 consensus and revenue of $30.37 billion versus $28.20 billion, and carries a consensus "Moderate Buy" rating with an average target of $187.67.
• Dividend raised to $1.20 per share quarterly (annualized $4.80) for a ~2.2% yield and a payout ratio of ~62.8%, while the stock trades around $215.96 with a 1‑year range of $99–$232.99.

Inceptionr LLC cut its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 54.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,180 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 7,246 shares during the period. Inceptionr LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,052,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Highline Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 70.2% in the third quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the period. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $34,000. Cypress Capital Management LLC WY bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 145.3% during the 3rd quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 211 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 125 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Evolution Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $43,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Trading Down 3.9%

Shares of VLO opened at $215.96 on Tuesday. The business's 50-day moving average price is $192.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $175.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $64.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 0.70. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $99.00 and a 1-year high of $232.99.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.27 by $0.55. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.91% and a return on equity of 12.35%. The company had revenue of $30.37 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.20 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.64 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 9th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 5th were given a $1.20 dividend. This is a boost from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 5th. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 62.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently commented on VLO shares. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $217.00 to $220.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Erste Group Bank assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Monday, November 10th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $197.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Mizuho reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $192.00 price target (up from $190.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Friday, December 12th. Finally, Bank of America reiterated a "neutral" rating and issued a $195.00 target price (down from $198.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, December 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating and ten have assigned a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $187.67.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company's operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.

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