Brokerages Set Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) Price Target at $154.57

Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the fifteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $154.57.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 4th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Finally, Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 10th.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Valero Energy stock opened at $141.21 on Tuesday. Valero Energy has a twelve month low of $116.84 and a twelve month high of $184.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $131.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $138.48. The company has a market cap of $44.70 billion, a PE ratio of 12.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $31.04 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $7.49 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 7.96 EPS 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 represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.20%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.39%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

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.