Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Price Up 3.8% on Analyst Upgrade

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) was up 3.8% during trading on Thursday after The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price target on the stock from $365.00 to $457.00. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the stock. Valero Energy traded as high as $389.86 and last traded at $390.2460. 993,389 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 70% from the average daily volume of 3,366,534 shares. The stock had previously closed at $375.84.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Zacks Research upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. TD Cowen upped their price target on Valero Energy from $338.00 to $350.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, August 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $401.00 price objective on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $335.12.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Eric Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total value of $2,011,275.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. The trade was a 27.53% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

More Valero Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Tight global refined-product markets, limited refining capacity and resilient demand are supporting refining margins, benefiting Valero and potentially driving stronger cash flow. Tight Global Markets Drive Refining Sector: 3 Stocks to Consider
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s Gulf Coast location provides access to competitively priced crude, while its balance sheet and supportive margins strengthen prospects for cash generation and shareholder returns. Gulf Coast Advantage and Strong Balance Sheet Aid Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target to $457 from $365 and maintained a Buy rating, reflecting increased confidence in Valero’s earnings and refining outlook. Goldman Sachs Adjusts Valero Energy Price Target
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group raised its FY2026 EPS estimate to $48.02 from $43.31 and its FY2027 estimate to $36.86 from $28.75, indicating expectations for stronger near-term profitability. Valero Energy analyst estimates

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in VLO. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 57.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $27,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC grew its stake in Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Valero Energy by 134.0% in the 1st quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Up 3.9%

The firm has a market cap of $112.38 billion, a PE ratio of 16.20, a PEG ratio of 0.25 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $344.70 and a 200-day moving average price of $282.12.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. The firm had revenue of $44.48 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.28 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 49.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 31st were issued a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 31st. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.2%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 19.92%.

About Valero Energy

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Its primary business is refining crude oil into transportation fuels and other products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks.

Valero operates refineries and related facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, and markets its products through wholesale and commercial channels in North America and other international markets.