Analysts Set Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) Price Target at $187.67

Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twenty research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, nine have assigned a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $187.6667.

VLO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup increased their price target on Valero Energy from $190.00 to $212.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 9th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Erste Group Bank initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Monday, November 10th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Barclays boosted their price target on Valero Energy from $169.00 to $184.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 17th. Finally, Mizuho reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $192.00 price target (up previously from $190.00) on shares of Valero Energy in a research report on Friday, December 12th.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $200.73 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.60, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36. Valero Energy has a 52 week low of $99.00 and a 52 week high of $206.77. The stock has a market cap of $61.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.27, a PEG ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.77. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $182.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $169.36.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The oil and gas company reported $3.82 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.27 by $0.55. The firm had revenue of $30.37 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $28.20 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 12.34% and a net margin of 1.91%.Valero Energy’s quarterly revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.64 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 7.92 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 9th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 5th will be given a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 5th. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.13. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is currently 62.83%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter worth about $27,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 70.2% in the 3rd quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 160 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Torren Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. AXS Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Global Wealth Strategies & Associates bought a new stake in Valero Energy during the third quarter worth approximately $34,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Company 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.