Country Trust Bank Sells 10,679 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Country Trust Bank decreased its position in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 4.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 205,982 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 10,679 shares during the period. Country Trust Bank owned 0.07% of Valero Energy worth $25,251,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Valero Energy Stock Down 3.0 %

NYSE VLO opened at $135.36 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $116.84 and a 52 week high of $184.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.14, a PEG ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a fifty day moving average of $130.99 and a two-hundred day moving average of $137.71.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. On average, analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.34%. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 38.39%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VLO has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Citigroup decreased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Mizuho cut their price objective on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $154.54.

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.