Archford Capital Strategies LLC Acquires 696 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Archford Capital Strategies LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 4.4% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,407 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 696 shares during the quarter. Archford Capital Strategies LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,011,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in VLO. Peterson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its position in Valero Energy by 196.8% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $50,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Trading Down 0.7 %

NYSE:VLO opened at $139.80 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $44.26 billion, a PE ratio of 12.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $131.28 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.93.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The business had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $7.49 EPS. The business’s revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.23%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 38.39%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have weighed in on VLO. TD Cowen reduced their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Scotiabank dropped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Mizuho dropped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.57.

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.