Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Shares Sold by Spirit of America Management Corp NY

Spirit of America Management Corp NY cut its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 9.4% in the 4th quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 77,084 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 8,000 shares during the period. Valero Energy makes up 1.9% of Spirit of America Management Corp NY’s portfolio, making the stock its 11th largest holding. Spirit of America Management Corp NY’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $9,450,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the third quarter worth $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the third quarter worth $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position 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 acquiring an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the third quarter worth $38,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Stock Up 5.0 %

VLO opened at $142.95 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $45.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.42. The business has a 50-day moving average of $130.76 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.35. Valero Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $116.84 and a 12 month high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. On average, research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.29 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.16%. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 53.30%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on VLO shares. Piper Sandler upgraded Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Mizuho cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. Scotiabank dropped their price target 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.46.

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.