Sigma Planning Corp Sells 6,632 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Sigma Planning Corp lessened its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 62.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,992 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 6,632 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $519,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in VLO. Caprock Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $214,000. CX Institutional boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 842.7% during the 3rd quarter. CX Institutional now owns 27,961 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $3,962,000 after purchasing an additional 24,995 shares in the last quarter. Oak Thistle LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $425,000. Czech National Bank boosted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 44.1% during the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 61,720 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $8,746,000 after purchasing an additional 18,901 shares in the last quarter. Finally, HWG Holdings LP bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,186,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms recently weighed in on VLO. Barclays upped their price target on Valero Energy from $149.00 to $179.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 3rd. Piper Sandler increased their price target on Valero Energy from $161.00 to $198.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 3rd. Mizuho lowered Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and increased their price target for the stock from $150.00 to $173.00 in a report on Friday, March 22nd. TD Cowen increased their price target on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, April 8th. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $173.63.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Valero Energy stock traded down $1.34 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $165.80. 2,064,894 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,292,117. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $160.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $140.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $55.12 billion, a PE ratio of 6.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.54. Valero Energy Co. has a one year low of $104.18 and a one year high of $184.79. 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 results on Thursday, April 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.64. The business had revenue of $31.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $32.02 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 31.62% and a net margin of 6.10%. Valero Energy's quarterly revenue was down 12.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $8.27 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 18.31 earnings per share for the current year.

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.