Silver Oak Securities Incorporated Sells 2,022 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Silver Oak Securities Incorporated lessened its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 33.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,048 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 2,022 shares during the period. Silver Oak Securities Incorporated’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $484,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of VLO. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC grew its holdings in Valero Energy by 196.8% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Trading Down 0.9 %

Shares of VLO opened at $133.05 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $130.78 and a 200-day simple moving average of $137.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market cap of $42.12 billion, a PE ratio of 15.69, a PEG ratio of 2.67 and a beta of 1.42. Valero Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $116.84 and a 1 year high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 8.29 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders 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 an increase 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 3.40%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is currently 53.30%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Barclays decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, November 11th. Piper Sandler upgraded Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Mizuho lowered their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Tudor Pickering raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.46.

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.