Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Shares Sold by Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP

Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP decreased its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) by 82.2% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 7,740 shares of the oil and gas company's stock after selling 35,652 shares during the period. Occudo Quantitative Strategies LP's holdings in Valero Energy were worth $949,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Tobam bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. OFI Invest Asset Management bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth $37,000. Finally, Creative Capital Management Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 122.0% in the 4th quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company's stock.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.3%

Shares of VLO traded up $0.39 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $135.76. 2,252,609 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,036,469. The business has a 50 day moving average of $121.08 and a 200 day moving average of $128.57. The company has a market capitalization of $42.52 billion, a PE ratio of 16.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.98. Valero Energy Co. has a 1-year low of $99.00 and a 1-year high of $167.78. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $28.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. The company's revenue for the quarter was down 4.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.82 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.33%. Valero Energy's payout ratio is currently 159.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on VLO shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $152.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, April 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $127.00 to $154.00 in a research report on Tuesday. Piper Sandler cut their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $144.00 to $140.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 9th. Mizuho lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $121.00 to $118.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $151.93.

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.