GoalVest Advisory LLC Acquires 504 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

GoalVest Advisory LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 7.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 7,024 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 504 shares during the period. GoalVest Advisory LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $948,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Lynx Investment Advisory bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, First Foundation Advisors bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Valero Energy stock opened at $140.16 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market capitalization of $44.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.57, a PEG ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.39. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $135.83 and its 200 day moving average is $146.42. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $120.21 and a twelve month high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The business had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $7.49 EPS. The company’s revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 9.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.05%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 38.39%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have commented on VLO. Citigroup lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Barclays reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, November 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Piper Sandler downgraded Valero Energy from an “overweight” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $169.00 to $123.00 in a report on Friday, September 20th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $155.86.

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.