Narwhal Capital Management Has $5.84 Million Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Narwhal Capital Management cut its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 3.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 47,599 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 1,705 shares during the period. Narwhal Capital Management’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $5,835,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in shares of 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 in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter worth $50,000. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms recently weighed in on VLO. BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Scotiabank lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Barclays lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.54.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

NYSE VLO opened at $139.80 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $44.26 billion, a PE ratio of 12.54, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $131.28 and a 200-day moving average of $137.87. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The business’s revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $7.49 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed 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 represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.23%. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.39%.

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.