IMA Advisory Services Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO – Free Report) by 9.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 22,347 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 2,394 shares during the period. IMA Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $5,522,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Whipplewood Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 3,400.0% in the first quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 102 shares during the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth about $27,000. Financial Life Planners purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Valero Energy by 134.0% during the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Torren Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.
Insiders Place Their Bets
In other Valero Energy news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Monday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $268.17, for a total transaction of $2,011,275.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 19,742 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,294,212.14. This represents a 27.53% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.
Valero Energy Stock Up 3.1%
Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share 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 business 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 posted $0.89 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 7.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 32.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Valero Energy Announces Dividend
The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st will be issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is presently 34.88%.
Key Valero Energy News
Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Valero expanded its share repurchase authorization, which can boost earnings per share over time and indicates the board sees value in the stock. Valero Energy Expands Share Repurchase Authorization Program
- Positive Sentiment: Valero declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.20 per share, reinforcing its appeal to income-focused investors and highlighting strong cash generation. Valero Energy Corporation Declares Regular Cash Dividend on Common Stock
- Positive Sentiment: Energy stocks rose late Friday afternoon, with the broader sector gaining on the day, which likely provided a supportive backdrop for VLO shares. Sector Update: Energy Stocks Rise Late Afternoon
- Neutral Sentiment: Separately, there was unusual put-option activity in Valero, suggesting some traders are hedging or positioning for near-term volatility rather than making a clear directional bet.
- Neutral Sentiment: Recent articles also pointed to improving earnings estimates and momentum, which may be helping sentiment, though these were commentary pieces rather than new company announcements. Can Valero Energy (VLO) Run Higher on Rising Earnings Estimates?
Analysts Set New Price Targets
Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. Wall Street Zen upgraded Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, April 4th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $236.00 to $263.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 8th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $230.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, April 6th. Scotiabank raised their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $178.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 22nd. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday. One 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 given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Valero Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $253.06.
Read Our Latest Stock Report on Valero Energy
Valero Energy 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.
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