Valero Energy Corporation $VLO Shares Bought by American National Bank & Trust

American National Bank & Trust grew its position in Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 0.6% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 53,780 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after acquiring an additional 313 shares during the period. American National Bank & Trust’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $7,229,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VLO. Hoey Investments Inc. acquired a new position in Valero Energy in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. increased its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 156.6% in the first quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 213 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares during the period. Ameriflex Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Ransom Advisory Ltd purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter worth $43,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Up 2.2%

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $174.62 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $54.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 72.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 1.10. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $148.38 and its 200-day simple moving average is $135.25. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. Valero Energy Corporation has a 52-week low of $99.00 and a 52-week high of $176.02.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The oil and gas company reported $2.28 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.66 by $0.62. Valero Energy had a net margin of 0.62% and a return on equity of 5.76%. The firm had revenue of $29.89 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $27 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.71 EPS. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was down 13.3% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Corporation will post 7.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 31st were paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 31st. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is currently 188.33%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have commented on VLO. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $166.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, September 15th. TD Cowen downgraded Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and upped their target price for the stock from $118.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Bank of America raised Valero Energy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $152.00 to $179.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 3rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Citigroup lowered Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $134.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $165.00.

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.