Analysts Set Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Target Price at $172.40

Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the fifteen research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have given a hold recommendation, ten have given a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $172.40.

A number of analysts recently issued reports on VLO shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $171.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 4th. Bank of America upgraded Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $156.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Scotiabank lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $138.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a "sector outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $177.00 to $178.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, April 1st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $130.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Friday, March 22nd.

Valero Energy Trading Down 2.0 %

Shares of VLO traded down $3.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $173.54. The company had a trading volume of 2,452,374 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,425,250. Valero Energy has a 1-year low of $104.18 and a 1-year high of $184.79. The stock has a market cap of $57.70 billion, a PE ratio of 7.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.54. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $155.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of $138.39. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.56 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.60. The firm had revenue of $35.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 31.62% and a net margin of 6.10%. The company's quarterly revenue was down 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $8.45 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 17.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 1st were given a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 31st. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.47%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 17.31%.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $28,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $28,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 1,676.9% during the first quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

About Valero Energy

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.