West Oak Capital LLC Increases Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

West Oak Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 22.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,350 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 250 shares during the period. West Oak Capital LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $178,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ameriflex Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $38,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC lifted its stake in Valero Energy by 122.0% during the 4th quarter. Creative Capital Management Investments LLC now owns 333 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares during the period. Finally, Millstone Evans Group LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Trading Up 1.6%

VLO opened at $134.02 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $41.97 billion, a PE ratio of 15.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.99. Valero Energy Co. has a one year low of $99.00 and a one year high of $167.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $121.14 and its 200 day moving average price is $127.64.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported $0.89 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.27). The company had revenue of $28.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $28.54 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 9.58% and a net margin of 2.13%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $3.82 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, May 20th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, May 20th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.37%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 159.72%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently commented on VLO shares. Piper Sandler dropped their target price on Valero Energy from $144.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 9th. Raymond James lowered their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $155.00 and set a “strong-buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $152.00 to $147.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 28th. Barclays increased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $140.00 to $141.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, TD Cowen reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $121.00 to $118.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $151.93.

About Valero Energy

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.