Blue Capital Inc. Makes New $2.73 Million Investment in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Blue Capital Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 16,787 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,733,000. Valero Energy accounts for 1.9% of Blue Capital Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 17th largest holding.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,111,542,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $275,239,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its position in Valero Energy by 2,635.7% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 950,527 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $154,736,000 after acquiring an additional 915,782 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its stake in Valero Energy by 49.3% in the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,696,811 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $276,224,000 after purchasing an additional 560,116 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. lifted its position in shares of Valero Energy by 7.5% during the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,668,210 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $922,728,000 after purchasing an additional 394,693 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of VLO stock opened at $236.50 on Friday. Valero Energy Corporation has a twelve month low of $130.78 and a twelve month high of $265.61. The stock has a market capitalization of $70.22 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.19, a P/E/G ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 0.55. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $245.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $214.70. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.16 by $1.06. The business had revenue of $32.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.38 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 15.94% and a net margin of 3.37%.The business’s revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.89 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 27.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.88%.

Valero Energy News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Lower crude oil prices could help Valero’s refining margins, since refiners often benefit when feedstock costs fall faster than fuel prices. Analysts also highlighted that fuel demand remains resilient and global refining capacity is still tight. Here's How Declining Crude Oil Prices are Benefiting Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was still being viewed favorably by Wall Street in recent commentary, with analyst optimism and a discussion of the company’s attractive refining upside and discounted valuation supporting the investment case. Is Valero Energy (VLO) a Buy as Wall Street Analysts Look Optimistic?
• Neutral Sentiment: An executive stock sale by SVP Eric A. Fisher may have added some overhang, though the transaction was relatively routine and did not signal a change in the company’s operating outlook. Valero Energy insider trade details
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary also noted that Valero underperformed peers, suggesting the decline may be part of broader energy-sector rotation rather than a major fundamental setback. Valero Energy Corp. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors
• Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical and supply developments around the Strait of Hormuz could increase global crude flows and pressure oil pricing dynamics, creating uncertainty for refining margins and inventory values at Valero. Valero (VLO) Faces A New Oil Supply Test As Hormuz Reopens

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.90, for a total transaction of $1,776,750.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 27,242 shares in the company, valued at $6,453,629.80. This represents a 21.59% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.36% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $178.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $220.00 to $292.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $203.00 to $237.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, March 12th. Finally, Zacks Research upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $245.59.

Valero Energy Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.