Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Sells 15,201 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lessened its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 9.5% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 145,402 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 15,201 shares during the quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $17,825,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter valued at $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in Valero Energy by 196.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $50,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of VLO opened at $141.21 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $44.70 billion, a PE ratio of 12.66, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 1.42. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $131.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $138.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. Valero Energy Co. has a twelve month low of $116.84 and a twelve month high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $7.49 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.20%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is 38.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on VLO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $172.00 to $151.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 4th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Scotiabank decreased their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.57.

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.