Chesapeake Wealth Management Sells 400 Shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Chesapeake Wealth Management trimmed its stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 7.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,052 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 400 shares during the period. Chesapeake Wealth Management’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $619,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Peterson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its position in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at about $50,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

VLO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. TD Cowen reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, December 9th. Barclays reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, Scotiabank reduced their target price on Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.57.

Valero Energy Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of VLO opened at $141.21 on Tuesday. Valero Energy Co. has a 52 week low of $116.84 and a 52 week high of $184.79. The company has a quick ratio of 1.11, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The company has a market capitalization of $44.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.66, a PEG ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 1.42. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $131.25 and its 200-day moving average price is $138.20.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The oil and gas company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $32.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $31.04 billion. Valero Energy had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 2.74%. The company’s revenue was down 14.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $7.49 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.93 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared 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 is Thursday, January 30th. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.20%. This is an increase from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is currently 38.39%.

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.