Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Stock Gets Price Target Reduction from Jefferies Financial Group

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its price target cut by Jefferies Financial Group from $401.00 to $394.00 in a research report report published on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. They currently have a hold rating on the oil and gas company’s stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on VLO. Erste Group Bank cut shares of Valero Energy from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on Valero Energy from $255.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Mizuho lifted their target price on Valero Energy from $300.00 to $434.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Valero Energy from $356.00 to $389.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 1st. Finally, Citigroup increased their price target on Valero Energy from $259.00 to $302.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, nine have assigned a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $365.19.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:VLO opened at $433.15 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $124.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.97, a P/E/G ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 0.59. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $368.66 and its 200 day simple moving average is $296.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.23. Valero Energy has a fifty-two week low of $155.29 and a fifty-two week high of $449.77.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 30th. The oil and gas company reported $12.54 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $10.11 by $2.43. Valero Energy had a net margin of 5.17% and a return on equity of 26.74%. The firm had revenue of $44.48 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $39.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.28 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 48.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy will post 51.31 earnings per share for the current year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 31st were issued a dividend of $1.20 per share. This represents a $4.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 31st. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 19.92%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 3,400.0% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 105 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 102 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 57.6% in the second quarter. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC now owns 104 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 38 shares in the last quarter. Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the first quarter worth $28,000. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 134.0% during the first quarter. Valued Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 117 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Finally, University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. raised its position in Valero Energy by 157.0% during the fourth quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Management Co. now owns 203 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares in the last quarter. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Valero Energy News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Goldman Sachs raised its price target on Valero Energy (VLO) to $496 from $457, signaling additional upside potential and confidence in the company’s earnings outlook. Goldman Sachs Adjusts Price Target on Valero Energy
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts expect Valero and other U.S. refiners to report potentially record third-quarter earnings as geopolitical disruptions and tighter global fuel supplies support refining margins. Valero and US Refiners Expected to Report Record Earnings
• Positive Sentiment: Valero’s heavy-crude processing advantage, strong balance sheet and robust current margins continue to support its premium valuation. Zacks also recently assigned VLO a Strong Buy ranking following upward revisions to earnings estimates. Is it Worth Paying a Premium Price for Valero Energy Now?
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst views remain mixed: Mizuho lifted its target to $434 but kept a Neutral rating, while Jefferies reduced its target to $394 and maintained Hold. The divergent targets suggest valuation concerns after VLO’s sharp rally.
• Negative Sentiment: The G7’s planned release of crude and diesel reserves, along with potential additional Russian diesel supplies, could ease fuel shortages and reduce the exceptional crack spreads currently benefiting Valero. Valero Energy Faces a Fuel Margin Test From G7 Stock Releases
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts view Valero’s recent profitability as driven largely by temporary geopolitical shocks, warning that normalized commodity prices and refining margins could pressure future earnings. Valero’s Exceptional Profitability Comes to an End

Valero Energy Company Profile

Valero Energy Corporation is an international petroleum refining, renewable fuels and marketing company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1980, the company processes crude oil and other feedstocks into transportation fuels and other products used by commercial, industrial and consumer customers.

Valero’s refined products include gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, lubricants and petrochemical feedstocks. The company also produces and markets ethanol and renewable diesel, including through its Diamond Green Diesel joint venture with Darling Ingredients.