Wealthfront Advisers LLC Purchases 11,772 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Wealthfront Advisers increased its Valero Energy position by 14.2% in the second quarter, purchasing 11,772 shares and bringing its holdings to 94,406 shares valued at approximately $24.6 million. Institutional investors collectively own 78.69% of Valero.
• Valero reported strong quarterly results, with earnings of $12.54 per share and revenue of $44.48 billion, exceeding analyst expectations; revenue rose 48.8% year over year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.20, equal to $4.80 annually and a 1.4% yield. Analysts remain broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, while Valero shares recently traded near their 52-week high.

Wealthfront Advisers LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 14.2% in the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 94,406 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after purchasing an additional 11,772 shares during the quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $24,587,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,111,542,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $275,239,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 2,635.7% during the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 950,527 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $154,736,000 after purchasing an additional 915,782 shares during the last quarter. Amundi raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 45.3% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 2,584,976 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $638,695,000 after buying an additional 806,018 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 49.3% during the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,696,811 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $276,224,000 after acquiring an additional 560,116 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Trading Up 0.9%

Shares of VLO stock opened at $350.14 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $100.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.23 and a beta of 0.55. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $136.87 and a 1 year high of $351.00. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $287.63 and a 200 day simple moving average of $250.74.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%.The company had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.28 earnings per share. Valero Energy's revenue was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 40.62 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 31st will be paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 31st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.4%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 19.92%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $292.00 to $356.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Scotiabank upped their price objective on Valero Energy from $178.00 to $226.00 and gave the stock a "sector outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Raymond James Financial raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $300.00 to $340.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. TD Cowen raised their price target on Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Finally, Zacks Research raised Valero Energy from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $288.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total transaction of $2,011,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 19,742 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. The trade was a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.36% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Record diesel prices are creating an attractive margin environment for refiners. Valero is identified among the companies positioned to benefit as fuel prices diverge from crude oil prices, potentially supporting near-term profits. Diesel Prices Are Breaking Records: 3 Refiners Turning the Crisis Into Record Profits
• Positive Sentiment: Gasoline prices above $4 per gallon are supporting the outlook for refiners capable of capturing strong fuel margins. Valero was included among refining stocks viewed favorably in this environment. 4 Refining Stocks to Buy as Gas Prices Top $4 a Gallon
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts are raising earnings estimates for Valero, a trend that could provide additional support for the stock after its recent gains. Earnings Estimates Moving Higher for Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: VLO was added to multiple Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) lists, including value, growth and overall Strong Buy screens. These rankings may attract additional buying from quantitative and momentum-focused investors. New Strong Buy Stocks for August 17th
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually heavy put-option activity suggests some traders are positioning for downside or hedging existing holdings. Investors purchased 23,642 puts, about 179% above typical volume, but options activity alone does not establish a fundamental change in Valero’s outlook. Investors Purchase Large Volume of Put Options on Valero Energy

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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