Metis Global Partners LLC Boosts Stock Position in Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Metis Global Partners LLC lifted its stake in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 3.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 22,105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 786 shares during the quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,971,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brown Advisory Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 16,737 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $2,210,000 after acquiring an additional 306 shares during the period. Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in Valero Energy by 1.6% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 92,909 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $12,270,000 after purchasing an additional 1,507 shares during the last quarter. Stephens Inc. AR raised its stake in Valero Energy by 3.7% during the first quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 63,005 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $8,321,000 after purchasing an additional 2,248 shares during the period. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 61.3% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 39,645 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $5,236,000 after buying an additional 15,063 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Valero Energy stock opened at $175.22 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.09. The business has a 50-day moving average of $164.33 and a 200 day moving average of $145.56. Valero Energy Corporation has a 12 month low of $99.00 and a 12 month high of $179.10.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.15 by $0.51. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.21% and a return on equity of 8.69%. The business had revenue of $32.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $28.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 20th will be given a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 20th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 94.36%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

VLO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $181.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 10th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $135.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Citigroup lowered Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their price target for the company from $134.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Mizuho increased their price target on Valero Energy from $166.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Friday, October 17th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $216.00 price objective on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating and six have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $179.27.

Valero Energy Profile

Valero Energy Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells petroleum-based and low-carbon liquid transportation fuels and petrochemical products in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Refining, Renewable Diesel, and Ethanol.