Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Upgraded to Strong-Buy at Zacks Research

Zacks Research upgraded shares of Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other analysts have also commented on the company. Wall Street Zen raised Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Argus upgraded shares of Valero Energy to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “underperform” rating and set a $203.00 target price on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $184.00 to $261.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, ten have issued a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $228.18.

Valero Energy Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:VLO opened at $234.30 on Tuesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $227.10 and its 200 day moving average is $193.15. The company has a market cap of $70.06 billion, a PE ratio of 30.67, a P/E/G ratio of 0.46 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.11. Valero Energy has a 1 year low of $110.00 and a 1 year high of $258.43.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 earnings per share 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 analysts’ expectations of $28.20 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.64 EPS. The business’s revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Valero Energy will post 19.03 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Valero Energy

In other news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $238.60, for a total value of $95,440.00. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. AXS Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 157.0% in the 4th quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. now owns 203 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cypress Capital Management LLC WY bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Valero Energy News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research upgraded VLO from “hold” to “strong-buy” — a clear catalyst attracting buyers and momentum-following flows. Zacks.com
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks has repeatedly highlighted VLO on its Rank #1 (Strong Buy) momentum lists and published bullish commentary on VLO’s growth profile, supporting optimism among retail and quant traders. Best Momentum Stocks
• Positive Sentiment: A bullish industry write-up argues Valero can sustain high crack spreads and deliver strong capital returns (dividends + buybacks), underpinning a longer-term constructive view. Seeking Alpha
• Neutral Sentiment: Scotiabank raised its price target to $226 and kept a “sector outperform” rating — a positive signal on fundamentals, though the $226 target sits slightly below the current stock price. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero is expected to report quarterly earnings this week; the print will be a key near-term catalyst that could amplify either the bullish or bearish views. Earnings Preview
• Negative Sentiment: Wolfe Research reiterated an “underperform” rating with a $203 price target — a notable bearish signal from a sell-side firm that introduces downside sentiment and may weigh on institutional appetite. Wolfe Research

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.