Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) Short Interest Update

Key Points

• Short Interest Surge: Valero Energy experienced a significant increase in short interest, rising 9,477.1% in July to a total of 12,230,000 shares, which represents 3.9% of its stock being short sold.
• Stock Performance: Valero Energy shares dropped by 3.0% to $133.17, with a 52-week range of $99.00 to $155.12 and an average trading volume of 3,200,000 shares.
• Quarterly Earnings Report: The company reported earnings of $2.28 per share for the last quarter, surpassing estimates of $1.66, but its revenue declined by 13.3% year-over-year.

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of July. As of July 15th, there was short interest totaling 12,230,000 shares, anincreaseof9,477.1% from the June 30th total of 127,700 shares. Currently,3.9% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,200,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.8 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 3,200,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.8 days. Currently,3.9% of the company's stock are short sold.

Valero Energy Stock Down 3.0%

Shares of Valero Energy stock traded down $4.14 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $133.17. 2,250,339 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,388,455. The company has a market cap of $41.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 1.00. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $138.51 and its 200 day simple moving average is $131.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.62. Valero Energy has a 52 week low of $99.00 and a 52 week high of $155.12.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.62. The business had revenue of $29.89 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. Valero Energy's revenue for the quarter was down 13.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.71 EPS. Equities analysts expect that Valero Energy will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 31st will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 31st. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 188.33%.

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 156.6% during the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company's stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on VLO. Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $159.00 to $168.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday. TD Cowen lowered shares of Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $118.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "in-line" rating and a $135.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $154.47.

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.

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