Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Price Target Raised to $414.00

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its target price increased by Bank of America from $395.00 to $414.00 in a research report released on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the oil and gas company’s stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $355.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 6th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $401.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday, September 22nd. Raymond James Financial raised their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $350.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $365.00 to $457.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have given a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $348.81.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.1%

NYSE VLO opened at $405.96 on Friday. Valero Energy has a 1 year low of $155.29 and a 1 year high of $419.04. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.89 billion, a PE ratio of 16.84, a PEG ratio of 0.27 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. The business’s 50-day moving average is $356.53 and its 200 day moving average is $290.28.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 26.74% and a net margin of 5.17%.The business had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.28 EPS. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was up 48.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 49.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 31st were issued a $1.20 dividend. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 19.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moore Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the second quarter valued at approximately $13,193,000. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH boosted its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. Fort Washington Investment Advisors Inc. OH now owns 192,430 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $47,546,000 after purchasing an additional 7,702 shares during the period. Dymon Asia Capital Singapore PTE. LTD. purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,268,000. TrueMark Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $8,921,000. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC increased its position in shares of Valero Energy by 377.1% during the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 413,437 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $102,152,000 after purchasing an additional 326,777 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Valero Energy

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

• Positive Sentiment: A Power Inflow alert indicated unusually strong buying activity from institutional and retail investors, a signal closely followed by order-flow traders. Valero Energy Shares Up Over 3% After Key Trading Signal
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks said Valero has a strong earnings-surprise record and currently meets the key criteria associated with a likely quarterly earnings beat. The company’s latest reported quarter also exceeded consensus estimates on both earnings and revenue, reinforcing investor confidence. Will Valero Energy Beat Estimates Again?
• Positive Sentiment: VLO was included in Zacks’ Rank #1 “Strong Buy” growth-stock list, adding to the stock’s favorable short-term momentum and quantitative-screen support. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for October 2nd
• Positive Sentiment: Refiners have outperformed integrated oil companies as investors focus on potentially stronger fuel margins. Tight distillate inventories and geopolitical shipping risks could support diesel prices and Valero’s refining profitability. Why Valero Energy Stock Is Up Today
• Neutral Sentiment: Bank of America raised its price target from $395 to $414 but maintained a “neutral” rating, implying limited upside from the reported trading level. Brokerages overall have given VLO a “moderate buy” consensus, though some older targets are substantially lower.
• Negative Sentiment: G7 countries plan to release up to 100 million barrels of crude and diesel reserves over four months. The expected increase in supply pushed oil and diesel prices lower, potentially reducing refining margins and near-term earnings expectations for Valero. G7 Plans Release of Emergency Oil and Diesel Reserves
• Negative Sentiment: Recent insider activity cited three sales and no purchases, while institutional positioning was mixed, with several major investors reducing their holdings. These trends may temper bullish sentiment after VLO’s strong rally.

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international petroleum refining, renewable fuels and marketing company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1980, the company processes crude oil and other feedstocks into transportation fuels and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero’s refined products include gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks. The company also produces and markets ethanol and renewable diesel, including through its Diamond Green Diesel joint venture with Darling Ingredients.