Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC Buys 999 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 11.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 9,539 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after acquiring an additional 999 shares during the period. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,169,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in Valero Energy in the third quarter worth about $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 196.8% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after buying an additional 183 shares during the period. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Barclays lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Mizuho decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America initiated coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective on the stock. Scotiabank lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.46.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $134.20 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 firm’s 50-day moving average price is $130.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $137.33. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The company has a market cap of $42.48 billion, a PE ratio of 15.83, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. As a group, analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.29 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.37%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.30%.

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.