Principal Financial Group Inc. Sells 4,266 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Principal Financial Group Inc. reduced its position in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 1.2% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 349,946 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 4,266 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $56,968,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth about $275,239,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 5.0% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 5,273,517 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $897,869,000 after purchasing an additional 249,195 shares during the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 13.3% during the 3rd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 1,929,599 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $328,534,000 after purchasing an additional 226,167 shares during the last quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 96.5% during the 3rd quarter. Voloridge Investment Management LLC now owns 444,919 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $75,752,000 after purchasing an additional 218,448 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC raised its holdings in Valero Energy by 5.3% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 4,143,672 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $705,502,000 after purchasing an additional 209,597 shares during the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

More Valero Energy News

Here are the key news stories impacting Valero Energy this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Valero was highlighted on “best low-beta” stock screens, suggesting investors may be rotating into steadier, less volatile names during market turbulence. Best Low-Beta Stocks to Own Right Away: LQDA, CBOE, VLO & FANG
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts at Erste Group raised FY2027 EPS estimates for Valero, signaling improving earnings expectations. Valero Energy estimate update
• Positive Sentiment: Morgan Stanley lifted its price target on Valero to $232 from $222, pointing to stronger-than-expected first-quarter results and reinforcing a constructive view on the stock. Morgan Stanley Raises its Price Target on Valero Energy (VLO) to $232
• Positive Sentiment: Valero was added to a Zacks Rank #1 “Strong Buy” growth list, which can draw momentum and growth-oriented investors. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for May 7th
• Positive Sentiment: The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.20 per share, confirming shareholder returns and supporting income-investor demand. Valero Energy Corporation Declares Regular Cash Dividend on Common Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Valero also appeared in PEG-driven “GARP” stock roundups, highlighting its mix of value and growth but offering no new company-specific catalyst. Zacks.com featured highlights include Dow, Valero Energy, Ultrapar Participacoes and Nexa Resources

Insider Transactions at Valero Energy

In related news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 400 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $238.60, for a total transaction of $95,440.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of VLO stock opened at $240.81 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.58 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The stock has a market cap of $72.01 billion, a PE ratio of 17.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.34 and a beta of 0.58. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $234.82 and a 200-day moving average of $198.52. Valero Energy Corporation has a one year low of $121.41 and a one year high of $258.43.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.16 by $1.06. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 15.94% and a net margin of 3.37%.The business had revenue of $32.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.38 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.89 EPS. Valero Energy’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Valero Energy Corporation will post 27.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, May 21st will be paid a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, May 21st. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have weighed in on VLO. Weiss Ratings raised Valero Energy from a “hold (c)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “underperform” rating and issued a $203.00 price target on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. UBS Group upped their price target on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 2nd. Citigroup upped their price target on Valero Energy from $246.00 to $259.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Finally, TD Cowen upped their price target on Valero Energy from $255.00 to $276.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have given a Buy rating, seven have assigned a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $237.94.

Valero Energy Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is a San Antonio, Texas–based integrated downstream energy company that manufactures and markets transportation fuels, petrochemical feedstocks and other industrial products. The company’s operations focus on refining crude oil into finished fuels such as gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, as well as producing asphalt and other refined product streams for commercial and industrial customers.

In addition to refining, Valero has significant operations in renewable fuels, including the production of ethanol and other biofuels, and it manages an extensive logistics network of pipelines, terminals, rail and marine assets to move feedstocks and finished products.