Gateway Investment Advisers LLC Purchases 3,517 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Gateway Investment Advisers LLC grew its position in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 34.2% in the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 13,815 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,517 shares during the quarter. Gateway Investment Advisers LLC’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $1,694,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC increased its holdings in Valero Energy by 196.8% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE VLO opened at $141.21 on Friday. Valero Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $116.84 and a fifty-two week high of $184.79. The stock has a market cap of $44.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.66, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.57. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $131.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $138.59.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.16. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.74% and a return on equity of 13.07%. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $31.04 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $7.49 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.20%. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 38.39%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VLO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 25th. Mizuho decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price target for the company. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $175.00 to $165.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 4th. Finally, Barclays decreased their price target on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.57.

Valero Energy Profile

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.