Brokerages Set Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Price Target at $155.07

Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $155.07.

VLO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Scotiabank reduced 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. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 4th. Mizuho reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $171.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 16th. Barclays dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 9th.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.3 %

VLO opened at $118.59 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $134.36 and its 200-day moving average is $142.13. Valero Energy has a one year low of $117.14 and a one year high of $184.79. The company has a market capitalization of $37.54 billion, a PE ratio of 10.64, a P/E/G ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.39. 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 (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. Valero Energy’s revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $7.49 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 8.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, December 20th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 20th were given a dividend of $1.07 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.61%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 38.39%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the second quarter worth $31,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth $34,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 196.8% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.