Vise Technologies Inc. Buys 4,563 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Vise Technologies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 36.0% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,247 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,563 shares during the quarter. Vise Technologies Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $6,685,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Blue Zone Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Zone Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,027 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $398,000 after buying an additional 24 shares during the period. Grove Bank & Trust raised its stake in Valero Energy by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 2,608 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $1,011,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Sigma Planning Corp raised its stake in Valero Energy by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 7,171 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,779,000 after buying an additional 29 shares during the period. Modera Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Valero Energy by 3.7% during the 3rd quarter. Modera Wealth Management LLC now owns 956 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $370,000 after buying an additional 34 shares during the period. Finally, Cornerstone Financial Management LLC boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 57.6% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VLO has been the subject of a number of research reports. Bank of America raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $395.00 to $414.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, October 2nd. Raymond James Financial upped their target price on Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Valero Energy from $411.00 to $420.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday. Zacks Research upgraded Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $365.00 to $457.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $380.47.

Valero Energy Trading Down 4.7%

VLO opened at $380.86 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Valero Energy Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $159.90 and a fifty-two week high of $461.52. The firm has a market capitalization of $109.66 billion, a PE ratio of 8.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.20 and a beta of 0.59. The company’s 50-day moving average is $398.27 and its 200 day moving average is $286.06.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $23.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $21.17 by $2.73. The business had revenue of $46.10 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $42.71 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 47.50%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 43.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $3.66 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 57.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, December 21st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, November 24th will be paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 24th. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.3%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 10.80%.

Key Stories Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley raised its price target for VLO to $420 from $411 while maintaining an “equal weight” rating. The new target implies roughly 10% upside from the referenced share price, providing some support despite the neutral recommendation. Morgan Stanley raises Valero Energy price target
• Positive Sentiment: Valero agreed to acquire LyondellBasell’s former Houston refinery site for $320.5 million. The transaction could expand or improve Valero’s refining asset base and may offer longer-term operating and portfolio benefits, although near-term financial effects were not detailed. LyondellBasell to Sell Former Houston Refinery Site
• Positive Sentiment: Recent research continues to characterize VLO as a value-oriented stock. Zacks highlighted Valero among companies with favorable profitability and valuation characteristics, while noting its strong return on equity and relatively inexpensive earnings multiple. Why Valero Energy Is a Top Value Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Unusually high options volume was reported for VLO. Elevated activity can signal increased investor positioning or expectations for volatility, but the report does not establish whether traders are bullish or bearish. Valero Energy Sees Unusually High Options Volume

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company’s primary business is refining and marketing transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero operates refineries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its refining operations also produce asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks and other petroleum-based products. The company markets fuel through wholesale channels and branded retail networks, including Valero, Beacon and Shamrock-branded locations.

In addition to conventional refining, Valero has businesses focused on renewable fuels.