Willis Investment Counsel Sells 55,300 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Key Points

• Willis Investment Counsel cut its Valero Energy stake by 53% in the third quarter, selling 55,300 shares and retaining 49,000 shares valued at approximately $19 million.
• Valero reported strong quarterly results, with EPS of $12.54 beating estimates by $2.43 and revenue rising 48.8% year over year to $44.48 billion.
• Shares traded near their 52-week high at $433.68, while analysts maintained a generally positive outlook with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $382.62; the company’s upcoming earnings report is the next major catalyst.

Willis Investment Counsel lessened its holdings in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 53.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 49,000 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 55,300 shares during the period. Willis Investment Counsel's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $18,993,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the business. 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 during the period. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 57.6% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the period. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the first quarter valued at $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in Valero Energy by 134.0% during the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $433.68. 1,091,202 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,300,053. The company has a quick ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $385.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $305.39. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $156.26 and a 1-year high of $461.52. The firm has a market cap of $124.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 0.59.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%. The business had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $39.47 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.28 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 51.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Valero was included in Zacks’ Rank #1 (Strong Buy) list of growth stocks, providing a favorable quantitative signal ahead of its earnings report. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for October 19th
• Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street projections for the quarter ended September 2026 are being examined beyond revenue and earnings, including key operating metrics. The preview offers context for potential results but does not provide reported figures or a confirmed earnings surprise. Insights Into Valero Energy Q3: Wall Street Projections for Key Metrics
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero’s October 22 earnings date remains the immediate catalyst. Investors are likely focused on refining margins, fuel demand, guidance and cash returns when the company reports. Valero Energy stock stands at EUR 391.25 ahead of October 22 results
• Neutral Sentiment: A broader rebound in technology and artificial-intelligence stocks lifted overall market sentiment, but the development is not specific to Valero’s refining fundamentals. Markets Edge Higher Amid Tech Rebound
• Negative Sentiment: DBS Bank downgraded Valero to Hold while assigning a $436 price target. The downgrade may be weighing on the stock because it signals more limited near-term upside, particularly after Valero’s strong run and proximity to its 52-week high. DBS Bank Downgrades Valero Energy to Hold

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on VLO shares. Mizuho upped their price target on Valero Energy from $300.00 to $434.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased 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. Barclays boosted their price objective on Valero Energy from $323.00 to $441.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 6th. Raymond James Financial upped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $395.00 to $414.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, October 2nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $382.62.

About Valero Energy

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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