Dakota Wealth Management Makes New Investment in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 11,727 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,438,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in VLO. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of 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 buying an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO opened at $140.75 on Friday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $131.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $137.96. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $116.84 and a 52 week high of $184.79. The company has a market capitalization of $44.56 billion, a PE ratio of 12.62, a PEG ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57.

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

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.21%. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is currently 38.39%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on VLO shares. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. TD Cowen dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Scotiabank dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.57.

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.