Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Price Up 3.8% Following Analyst Upgrade

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO)’s stock price was up 3.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday after The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on the stock from $365.00 to $457.00. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. Valero Energy traded as high as $389.86 and last traded at $390.2460. 993,389 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 70% from the average session volume of 3,366,534 shares. The stock had previously closed at $375.84.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on VLO. Raymond James Financial lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Barclays upped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $279.00 to $323.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on Valero Energy from $356.00 to $389.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. Finally, Erste Group Bank lowered shares of Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, August 27th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $335.12.

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In related news, SVP Eric Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total value of $2,011,275.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,742 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. This represents a 27.53% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company 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: Tight global refined-product markets, limited refining capacity and resilient demand are supporting refining margins, benefiting Valero and potentially driving stronger cash flow. Tight Global Markets Drive Refining Sector: 3 Stocks to Consider
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s Gulf Coast location provides access to competitively priced crude, while its balance sheet and supportive margins strengthen prospects for cash generation and shareholder returns. Gulf Coast Advantage and Strong Balance Sheet Aid Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target to $457 from $365 and maintained a Buy rating, reflecting increased confidence in Valero’s earnings and refining outlook. Goldman Sachs Adjusts Valero Energy Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $48.02 from $43.31 and its FY2027 estimate to $36.86 from $28.75, indicating expectations for stronger near-term profitability. Valero Energy analyst estimates

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy by 57.6% during the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 38 shares during the last quarter. Financial Life Planners bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 134.0% in the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the period. Finally, AXS Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Up 3.9%

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 business’s fifty day moving average is $344.70 and its two-hundred day moving average is $282.12. The company has a market cap of $112.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.25 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 analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%.The business had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.28 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 49.17 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

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