Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. Has $12.66 Million Position in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lessened its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 72.8% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 77,788 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 208,567 shares during the period. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $12,663,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Woodline Partners LP lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 40.7% during the first quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 26,747 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $3,532,000 after acquiring an additional 7,735 shares during the period. Sivia Capital Partners LLC lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 13.0% during the second quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 1,929 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the period. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at $528,000. Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 11.3% during the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 269,043 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $36,165,000 after acquiring an additional 27,291 shares during the period. Finally, Treasurer of the State of North Carolina lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 0.9% during the second quarter. Treasurer of the State of North Carolina now owns 145,810 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $19,600,000 after acquiring an additional 1,338 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Down 5.1%

Shares of Valero Energy stock opened at $240.91 on Friday. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1 year low of $125.10 and a 1 year high of $263.75. The business has a 50-day moving average of $241.58 and a two-hundred day moving average of $204.24. The company has a market capitalization of $71.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.51, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 0.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.15.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share (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 company had revenue of $32.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.38 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.89 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 26.51 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. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st will be issued 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 dividend yield of 2.0%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on VLO shares. Zacks Research raised Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Weiss Ratings raised Valero Energy from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. UBS Group upped their price target on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Valero Energy from $220.00 to $292.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “underperform” rating and set a $203.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $237.94.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 8,311 shares of the 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 completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 42,242 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,618,080.98. This trade represents a 16.44% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed 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: Valero was added to Zacks’ Rank #1 (Strong Buy) growth-stock list, which can lift investor interest and signal improving momentum. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for May 22nd
• Positive Sentiment: Several recent analyst updates have nudged fair value and price targets higher, including a revised fair value estimate above the prior level, suggesting some Wall Street models still see upside in VLO. Why The Valero Energy (VLO) Story Is Shifting As Analysts Rework Targets And Assumptions
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s Q1 results were strong, with EPS and revenue both beating estimates and revenue rising year over year, reinforcing the company’s earnings momentum.
• Neutral Sentiment: VLO is being highlighted in low-beta/steadier-portfolio screens as Middle East tensions increase energy-market volatility, which may attract defensive buyers but does not directly change fundamentals. 4 Low-Beta Stocks for a Steadier Portfolio: LQDA, XOM, VLO & FANG
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero continues to draw attention as a trending stock on Zacks, indicating elevated trading interest rather than a clear new catalyst. Here is What to Know Beyond Why Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) is a Trending Stock
• Negative Sentiment: Some recent analysis points to pressure on refiners from weaker crude prices and softer distillate inventory signals, which can weigh on near-term refining margin expectations. Valero Energy (VLO) slides as crude sells off and traders reassess near-term margin signals
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank reportedly lowered earnings estimates for Valero, which can dampen sentiment if investors think profit expectations are being reset lower.

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.