American International Group Inc. Decreases Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

American International Group Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 4.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 94,461 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 3,987 shares during the period. American International Group Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $12,280,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Wetzel Investment Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 40.3% during the third quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 303 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 87 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DT Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Valero Energy stock opened at $150.07 on Monday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $161.24 and a 200-day simple moving average of $148.49. The company has a quick ratio of 1.10, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $49.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.43, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.47. Valero Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $108.28 and a 52-week high of $184.79.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.64. The company had revenue of $31.76 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $32.02 billion. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.01% and a return on equity of 24.82%. Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was down 12.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $8.27 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 17.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 30th will be paid a dividend of $1.07 per share. This represents a $4.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.85%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 30th. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.20%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Valero Energy

In other news, Director Kimberly S. Greene sold 720 shares of Valero Energy stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $158.12, for a total transaction of $113,846.40. Following the transaction, the director now owns 13,314 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,105,209.68. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.47% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler reduced their price target on Valero Energy from $187.00 to $169.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $179.00 to $173.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 30th. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $176.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, May 13th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on Valero Energy from $160.00 to $192.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $172.33.

About Valero Energy

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.