UBS Group Boosts Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Price Target to $197.00

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its price objective increased by UBS Group from $167.00 to $197.00 in a research note released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the oil and gas company’s stock.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on VLO. Bank of America upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price target for the stock from $156.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday, March 15th. Raymond James increased their price objective on Valero Energy from $154.00 to $155.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, January 26th. Mizuho downgraded Valero Energy from a buy rating to a neutral rating and increased their price objective for the company from $150.00 to $173.00 in a report on Friday, March 22nd. Citigroup assumed coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Wednesday, January 24th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $149.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Monday, January 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $165.69.

Valero Energy Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of VLO stock opened at $170.69 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.56, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market cap of $56.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.53. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $146.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $136.00. Valero Energy has a 1 year low of $104.18 and a 1 year high of $172.46.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.60. The company had revenue of $35.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $34.76 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 31.62%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $8.45 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 16.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 1st were given a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.51%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, January 31st. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.02. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 17.31%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BKM Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners bought a new position in Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Indiana Trust & Investment Management CO purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Quarry LP increased its stake in Valero Energy by 1,676.9% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

About Valero Energy

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.