Scotiabank Issues Positive Forecast for Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Price

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its price objective increased by Scotiabank from $178.00 to $226.00 in a research report sent to investors on Wednesday,Benzinga reports. Scotiabank currently has a sector outperform rating on the oil and gas company’s stock.

Other analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Barclays lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $184.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Argus upgraded Valero Energy to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, February 2nd. UBS Group lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 2nd. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on Valero Energy from $236.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Finally, Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating and set a $203.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Tuesday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have given a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $228.18.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $234.30 on Wednesday. Valero Energy has a 52 week low of $110.00 and a 52 week high of $258.43. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $227.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $193.15. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The company has a market cap of $70.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 0.62.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.27 by $0.55. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 12.35% and a net margin of 1.91%.The business had revenue of $30.37 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.20 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.64 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 19.03 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy

In related news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 8,311 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.69, for a total transaction of $1,892,331.59. Following the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 42,242 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $9,618,080.98. This trade represents a 16.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of VLO. Woodline Partners LP increased its stake in Valero Energy by 40.7% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 26,747 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $3,532,000 after purchasing an additional 7,735 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC increased its stake in Valero Energy by 13.0% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,929 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $528,000. Sei Investments Co. increased its stake in Valero Energy by 11.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 269,043 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $36,165,000 after purchasing an additional 27,291 shares during the period. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina increased its stake in Valero Energy by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 145,810 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $19,600,000 after purchasing an additional 1,338 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks added VLO to its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) / momentum lists this morning, a visible retail- and quant-focused endorsement that can attract short?term buying and ETF/overlay flows. New Strong Buy Stocks for April 22nd
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and commentators are flagging sustained upside from refinery margins, diesel strength and Valero’s capital returns — Seeking Alpha highlights potential windfall profits, large EBITDA scenarios and a buyback/dividend-driven 14% capital return case that supports higher long-term valuation. Valero: Windfall Profits Lead To 14% Capital Returns
• Positive Sentiment: Macro/refining tailwind — diesel prices have jumped and outlets note Valero as a beneficiary of the spike and of its push into renewable fuels, which supports near?term earnings and sentiment. Diesel Is Up 50% in Weeks. Here Are 2 Stocks Quietly Benefiting From the Spike.
• Neutral Sentiment: Scotiabank raised its Valero price target sharply (from $178 to $226) and upgraded to “sector outperform” — a positive signal — but the PT still sits slightly below the current share price, making the net impact mixed for immediate upside. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Broad sector/peer headlines (BP earnings preview, offshore rig revenue notes like Nabors) are worth watching because refining margins and oil prices drive Valero’s earnings sensitivity, but these are indirect and won’t necessarily move VLO alone. Important Factors to Watch Ahead of BP’s Q1 Earnings Release
• Negative Sentiment: Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” view and a $203 price target (well below the current level), and related analyst commentary flagged that Valero may be priced for peak margins and unsustainable cash flows — this can pressure sentiment and trigger profit-taking or a re-rating if investors follow the call. Valero: Priced for Peak Margins and Unsustainable Cash Flows, Warranting a Sell Rating

About Valero Energy

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.