Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Hits New 1-Year High Following Analyst Upgrade

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) hit a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Tuesday after UBS Group raised their price target on the stock from $355.00 to $450.00. UBS Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. Valero Energy traded as high as $381.46 and last traded at $381.5960, with a volume of 315686 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $370.72.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Zacks Research raised Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Valero Energy from $356.00 to $389.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Erste Group Bank downgraded Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $286.00 to $357.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Valero Energy from $232.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Friday, June 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have assigned a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $301.76.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy

In other news, SVP Eric Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total value of $2,011,275.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. This trade represents a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: UBS raised its price target on Valero from $355 to $450 and upgraded the shares to “Buy.” The new target suggests additional upside from recent trading levels, providing a fresh catalyst for the stock. UBS raises Valero price target and upgrades shares
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was included in Zacks’ Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth-stock list for September 9, alongside BP and Monday.com. The ranking may increase attention from momentum- and growth-focused investors. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for September 9
• Positive Sentiment: Energy stocks gained amid heightened U.S.-Iran tensions, which can raise expectations for tighter crude markets and support refining-sector sentiment. Valero was also highlighted as a low-beta candidate, potentially appealing to investors seeking lower volatility. Premarket movers: Energy stocks rise on Iran tensions

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 2,325.2% during the 4th quarter. Sierra Summit Advisors LLC now owns 36,378 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $5,922,000 after buying an additional 34,878 shares during the period. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 846.9% in the fourth quarter. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. now owns 14,752 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $2,401,000 after buying an additional 13,194 shares during the period. North Dakota State Investment Board bought a new position in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,743,000. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 192,430 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $47,546,000 after acquiring an additional 7,702 shares during the period. Finally, Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD. bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $2,268,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Stock Up 1.6%

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $322.19 and its 200 day simple moving average is $269.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.64. The company has a market cap of $112.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.14, a PEG ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 0.57.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.11 by $2.43. The business had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%.The firm’s revenue was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.28 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 41.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 31st were issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 19.92%.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Its primary business is refining crude oil into transportation fuels and other products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks.

Valero operates refineries and related facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and markets its products through wholesale and commercial channels in North America and other international markets.