Valero Energy Target of Unusually High Options Trading (NYSE:VLO)

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) saw some unusual options trading activity on Monday. Stock investors bought 14,918 put options on the stock. This represents an increase of approximately 85% compared to the typical volume of 8,069 put options.

Valero Energy Stock Up 2.1%

Shares of NYSE VLO traded up $3.68 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $180.44. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,631,420 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,082,344. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $169.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $151.56. Valero Energy has a fifty-two week low of $99.00 and a fifty-two week high of $185.62. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.70, a PEG ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 1.01.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The oil and gas company reported $3.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.51. The company had revenue of $32.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $28.80 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 1.21% and a return on equity of 8.69%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 2.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.14 EPS. Equities research analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 18th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 20th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 20th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 94.36%.

Insider Activity at Valero Energy

In other Valero Energy news, CFO Jason W. Fraser sold 9,933 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.02, for a total value of $1,728,540.66. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 134,196 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $23,352,787.92. This represents a 6.89% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. Hoey Investments Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy in the second quarter worth $26,000. GFG Capital LLC purchased a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy by 70.2% during the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. boosted its position in Valero Energy by 1,277.8% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 248 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 230 shares during the period. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

VLO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Bank of America raised shares of Valero Energy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their price objective for the stock from $152.00 to $179.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $177.00 to $197.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 24th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Valero Energy from $181.00 to $194.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 10th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $135.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $182.00.

Valero Energy Company 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.