MQS Management LLC Invests $907,000 in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

MQS Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 6,714 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock, valued at approximately $907,000. Valero Energy accounts for 0.5% of MQS Management LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. EdgeRock Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter worth $27,000. Lynx Investment Advisory purchased a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the first quarter valued at about $33,000. Summit Securities Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the second quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, First Foundation Advisors bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the first quarter worth about $37,000. 78.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Down 0.7 %

Valero Energy stock opened at $137.02 on Wednesday. Valero Energy Co. has a 12 month low of $120.21 and a 12 month high of $184.79. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $135.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $146.80. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market cap of $43.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.29, a PEG ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 1.39.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last released its quarterly earnings data 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. The company had revenue of $32.88 billion during 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%. Valero Energy’s revenue for the quarter was down 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $7.49 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Valero Energy Co. will post 9.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be given a $1.07 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $4.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.12%. Valero Energy’s payout ratio is 38.39%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on VLO shares. Bank of America initiated coverage on Valero Energy in a report on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 price objective for the company. Barclays cut their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Scotiabank decreased their price objective on shares of Valero Energy from $173.00 to $141.00 and set a “sector outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $175.00 to $171.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Valero Energy from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating and reduced their price target for the company from $172.00 to $165.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $155.86.

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.