13,818 Shares in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Acquired by Moody Aldrich Partners LLC

Moody Aldrich Partners LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 13,818 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,694,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 1.8% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 1,293,589 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $174,673,000 after purchasing an additional 22,571 shares during the last quarter. Kieckhefer Group LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,226,000. Hudson Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 6.5% during the fourth quarter. Hudson Capital Management LLC now owns 31,792 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $3,897,000 after purchasing an additional 1,937 shares during the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $274,000. Finally, Captrust Financial Advisors grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 7.5% during the third quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 89,762 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $12,121,000 after purchasing an additional 6,278 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Valero Energy stock opened at $138.14 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $131.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $137.78. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $116.84 and a 52-week high of $184.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $43.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.39, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.13 per share. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.27%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.39%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Scotiabank lowered their price target on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Barclays reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 9th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.54.

Valero Energy Company 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.