Threadgill Financial LLC Makes New $2.75 Million Investment in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Threadgill Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 21,185 shares of the oil and gas company's stock, valued at approximately $2,754,000. Valero Energy comprises 1.8% of Threadgill Financial LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest holding.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Quarry LP raised its stake 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 valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $130.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Raymond James increased their price target on Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, January 26th. Bank of America raised shares of Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $156.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Friday, March 15th. Mizuho lowered shares of Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $173.00 in a research report on Friday, March 22nd. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $165.69.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of VLO traded up $2.88 on Thursday, hitting $170.69. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,316,640 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,478,984. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $145.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.56 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Valero Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $104.18 and a fifty-two week high of $172.46. The company has a market capitalization of $56.75 billion, a PE ratio of 6.90, a PEG ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.53.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.95 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $35.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 31.62%. The company's revenue was down 15.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $8.45 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 15.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Investors of record on Thursday, February 1st were issued a $1.07 dividend. This is a boost from Valero Energy's previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 31st. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.51%. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 17.31%.

Valero Energy Profile

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.