New England Research & Management Inc. Sells 2,000 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

New England Research & Management Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 28.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,975 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 2,000 shares during the period. New England Research & Management Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $610,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 196.8% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at about $50,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Trading Up 0.9 %

VLO opened at $139.44 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $116.84 and a twelve month high of $184.79. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $131.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $137.71. The firm has a market cap of $44.14 billion, a PE ratio of 12.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.24%. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 38.39%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America began coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Scotiabank dropped their target price on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.54.

Valero Energy Company 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.