Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Jumps 1.7% After Analyst Upgrade

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) shares were up 1.7% during trading on Monday after Citigroup raised their price target on the stock from $485.00 to $490.00. Citigroup currently has a neutral rating on the stock. Valero Energy traded as high as $436.20 and last traded at $426.2320. Approximately 2,217,919 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 33% from the average daily volume of 3,287,494 shares. The stock had previously closed at $419.28.

A number of other equities analysts have also commented on the company. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Piper Sandler upped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $329.00 to $435.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, September 3rd. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $467.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday, October 6th. Barclays increased their price objective on Valero Energy from $441.00 to $443.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $365.00 to $457.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, eight have issued a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $379.94.

Key Stories Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: Positive earnings outlook: Zacks said Valero could continue gaining because analysts have been revising earnings estimates higher, a signal that expectations for near-term results are improving. Why Valero Energy Might Be Well Poised for a Surge
• Positive Sentiment: Growth and valuation support: Zacks identified several growth attributes that could help VLO outperform the broader market. Its latest quarter also exceeded consensus estimates, with earnings of $23.90 per share and revenue of $46.10 billion. Is Valero Energy a Solid Growth Stock?
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support: Citigroup expects further price appreciation, Barclays forecast strong gains, and the broader analyst view cited by American Banking News is “Moderate Buy.” Citigroup Valero Price Forecast
• Neutral Sentiment: Potential hedge with trade-offs: Valero may offer defensive benefits amid energy-market uncertainty, but its performance remains highly dependent on volatile crude prices, fuel demand and refining margins. Valero: A Potential Hedge, But Not Without Trade-Offs
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and outlook concerns: Investor Michael Burry is considering reducing or selling VLO after its strong run, citing stretched valuations. Separately, light fourth-quarter guidance, possible Russian diesel competition and crude-price pressure have raised concerns about weaker refining profits ahead. Michael Burry Eyes the Exit on Valero Valero’s Windfall Quarter Meets Washington’s Push for Cheaper Diesel

Institutional Trading of Valero Energy

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter worth approximately $1,195,943,000. Amundi increased its position in Valero Energy by 45.3% in the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 2,584,976 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $638,695,000 after buying an additional 806,018 shares in the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 33.9% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 2,058,341 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $536,074,000 after purchasing an additional 520,642 shares in the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LP bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter worth about $59,917,000. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 18.4% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 2,842,339 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $702,285,000 after purchasing an additional 442,177 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Valero Energy Trading Up 1.7%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.64. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $393.03 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $310.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $122.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.59, a PEG ratio of 0.24 and a beta of 0.59.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 22nd. The oil and gas company reported $23.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $21.17 by $2.73. The firm had revenue of $46.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $42.71 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 47.50%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 43.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.66 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 54.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international energy company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company’s primary business is refining and marketing transportation fuels, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero operates refineries in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Its refining operations also produce asphalt, petrochemical feedstocks and other petroleum-based products. The company markets fuel through wholesale channels and branded retail networks, including Valero, Beacon and Shamrock-branded locations.

In addition to conventional refining, Valero has businesses focused on renewable fuels.