Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) Given New $192.00 Price Target at Citigroup

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) had its price objective increased by research analysts at Citigroup from $160.00 to $192.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the oil and gas company’s stock. Citigroup’s price objective suggests a potential upside of 16.60% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also recently commented on VLO. TD Cowen increased their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, April 8th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $130.00 to $171.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, March 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $177.00 to $178.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, April 1st. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $167.00 to $197.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 26th. Finally, Bank of America raised shares of Valero Energy from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from $156.00 to $210.00 in a report on Friday, March 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Valero Energy currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $173.63.

Valero Energy Stock Down 1.6 %

Shares of VLO stock traded down $2.62 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $164.66. 770,294 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,332,056. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 1.56. Valero Energy has a one year low of $104.18 and a one year high of $184.79. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $157.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $138.95. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.54.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 25th. The oil and gas company reported $3.55 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.95 by $0.60. Valero Energy had a net margin of 6.10% and a return on equity of 31.62%. The business had revenue of $35.41 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $34.76 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $8.45 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 15.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Valero Energy will post 17.25 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Valero Energy

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Rise Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 1st quarter valued at $33,000. BKM Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Quarry LP lifted its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 1,676.9% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 231 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

About Valero Energy

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.