Groupama Asset Managment Reduces Holdings in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Groupama Asset Managment lowered its position in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 9.5% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 157,084 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 16,566 shares during the quarter. Groupama Asset Managment’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $25,572,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in VLO. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Torren Management LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. AXS Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 157.0% in the fourth quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. now owns 203 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the period. Finally, Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 32.9% during the fourth quarter. Bruce G. Allen Investments LLC now owns 206 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $236.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, April 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $246.00 to $259.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Friday, May 1st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $230.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, April 6th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $255.00 to $276.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, May 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $245.59.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $236.90, for a total value of $1,776,750.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 27,242 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,453,629.80. This trade represents a 21.59% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Trending Headlines about Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Lower crude oil prices could help Valero’s refining margins, since refiners often benefit when feedstock costs fall faster than fuel prices. Analysts also highlighted that fuel demand remains resilient and global refining capacity is still tight. Here's How Declining Crude Oil Prices are Benefiting Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was still being viewed favorably by Wall Street in recent commentary, with analyst optimism and a discussion of the company’s attractive refining upside and discounted valuation supporting the investment case. Is Valero Energy (VLO) a Buy as Wall Street Analysts Look Optimistic?
• Neutral Sentiment: An executive stock sale by SVP Eric A. Fisher may have added some overhang, though the transaction was relatively routine and did not signal a change in the company’s operating outlook. Valero Energy insider trade details
• Neutral Sentiment: Market commentary also noted that Valero underperformed peers, suggesting the decline may be part of broader energy-sector rotation rather than a major fundamental setback. Valero Energy Corp. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors
• Negative Sentiment: Geopolitical and supply developments around the Strait of Hormuz could increase global crude flows and pressure oil pricing dynamics, creating uncertainty for refining margins and inventory values at Valero. Valero (VLO) Faces A New Oil Supply Test As Hormuz Reopens

Valero Energy Trading Down 1.4%

NYSE:VLO opened at $236.50 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $70.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.19, a PEG ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $245.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $214.70. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $130.78 and a 12-month high of $265.61.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.16 by $1.06. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 15.94% and a net margin of 3.37%.The business had revenue of $32.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.38 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $0.89 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Corporation will post 27.45 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be given a dividend of $1.20 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.88%.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.