UBS Group Issues Positive Forecast for Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Price

Key Points

• Valero Energy has had its price target increased by UBS Group from $164.00 to $165.00, reflecting a potential upside of 15.59% from its previous close.
• Despite varying price targets from different analysts, the consensus rating for Valero Energy remains a "Moderate Buy"* with an average target of $153.87.
• Valero's latest quarterly earnings showed a significant earnings per share (EPS) of $2.28, exceeding analyst estimates of $1.66.
• The stock has seen increased activity from institutional investors, with 78.69% of shares now held by these entities.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Free Report) had its target price raised by UBS Group from $164.00 to $165.00 in a research report report published on Friday,Benzinga reports. UBS Group currently has a buy rating on the oil and gas company's stock.

A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. Mizuho upped their price target on Valero Energy from $158.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $152.00 to $147.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 28th. Citigroup downgraded Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "neutral" rating and upped their price target for the company from $134.00 to $150.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Raymond James Financial boosted their target price on Valero Energy from $155.00 to $172.00 and gave the company a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, TD Cowen downgraded Valero Energy from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating and boosted their target price for the company from $118.00 to $140.00 in a report on Tuesday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $153.87.

Valero Energy Stock Up 1.2%

NYSE:VLO traded up $1.69 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $142.03. The stock had a trading volume of 2,786,874 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,458,177. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $137.66 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $130.84. The company has a market capitalization of $44.48 billion, a PE ratio of 59.18, a PEG ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 1.00. Valero Energy has a twelve month low of $99.00 and a twelve month high of $167.78. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.62. The firm had revenue of $29.89 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $27 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 5.74% and a net margin of 0.62%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.71 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Thursday, July 31st will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 31st. Valero Energy's dividend payout ratio is presently 159.72%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter worth $26,000. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. increased its position in Valero Energy by 156.6% during the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.