Cibc World Market Inc. Buys 82,542 Shares of Valero Energy Corporation $VLO

Cibc World Market Inc. grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) by 74.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 193,901 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after acquiring an additional 82,542 shares during the period. Cibc World Market Inc.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $31,565,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in VLO. Norges Bank bought a new position in Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth $1,111,542,000. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in Valero Energy by 5.0% in 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 in the last quarter. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in Valero Energy by 5.3% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 4,143,672 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $705,502,000 after purchasing an additional 209,597 shares during the period. Legal & General Group Plc grew its position in shares of Valero Energy by 2.3% during the 3rd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 1,904,181 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $324,206,000 after purchasing an additional 43,237 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $275,239,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Valero Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Valero was named to Zacks’ #1 (Strong Buy) growth stocks list, which may be helping investor sentiment by signaling improving momentum and favorable analyst-style rankings. Best Growth Stocks to Buy for June 4th
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks said high oil prices may not fully derail Valero’s refining strength, pointing to tight global capacity and low fuel inventories that can keep refining margins supported. Why High Oil Prices Won’t Fully Derail VLO’s Refining Strength
• Positive Sentiment: Another Zacks note reiterated Valero as a strong value stock, adding to the case that the company remains attractive on fundamentals despite the recent run-up. Here’s Why Valero Energy (VLO) is a Strong Value Stock
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage focused on whether VLO can extend its move after hitting a 52-week high; this reflects strong performance, but also suggests the stock may need continued fundamental support to keep rising. Valero Energy Corporation (VLO) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?
• Negative Sentiment: One article flagged insider stock sales over the past year, which can be viewed as a cautious signal even though it does not necessarily change the company’s operating outlook. Possible Bearish Signals With Valero Energy Insiders Disposing Stock

Insider Activity at Valero Energy

In related news, SVP Eric A. Fisher sold 8,311 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $227.69, for a total transaction of $1,892,331.59. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 42,242 shares in the company, valued at $9,618,080.98. This represents a 16.44% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.36% of the company’s stock.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of Valero Energy stock opened at $259.05 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.58, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a market cap of $76.92 billion, a PE ratio of 18.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.39 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a 50 day moving average of $244.23 and a 200-day moving average of $209.46. Valero Energy Corporation has a 1-year low of $125.77 and a 1-year high of $265.61.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The oil and gas company reported $4.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.16 by $1.06. Valero Energy had a net margin of 3.37% and a return on equity of 15.94%. The business had revenue of $32.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.38 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.89 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Valero Energy Corporation will post 26.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 23rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be paid a $1.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $182.00 to $222.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. UBS Group increased their price target on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, April 2nd. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Valero Energy from $230.00 to $270.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, April 6th. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on Valero Energy from $220.00 to $292.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 31st. Finally, Raymond James Financial increased their target price on Valero Energy from $215.00 to $290.00 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $243.65.

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.