Empowered Funds LLC Has $27.56 Million Holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Empowered Funds LLC lifted its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 1.1% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 224,782 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,511 shares during the period. Valero Energy accounts for about 0.4% of Empowered Funds LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 26th biggest holding. Empowered Funds LLC owned approximately 0.07% of Valero Energy worth $27,556,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of VLO. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Valero Energy by 14.6% during the 4th quarter. Westbourne Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 55,045 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $6,748,000 after acquiring an additional 7,014 shares during the last quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Cidel Asset Management Inc. now owns 7,134 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $875,000 after purchasing an additional 543 shares during the period. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of Valero Energy by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Shepherd Financial Partners LLC now owns 28,666 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $3,514,000 after purchasing an additional 672 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $38,000. Finally, Tobam bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.69% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler upgraded shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 10th. Tudor Pickering raised shares of Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $165.00 to $158.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Bank of America started coverage on shares of Valero Energy in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $150.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $160.00 to $159.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $154.46.

Valero Energy Price Performance

Shares of VLO stock opened at $133.05 on Friday. Valero Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $116.84 and a 1 year high of $184.79. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $130.66 and its 200-day moving average is $137.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.69, a PEG ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The oil and gas company reported $0.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.14 by $0.50. Valero Energy had a net margin of 2.13% and a return on equity of 9.58%. Sell-side analysts forecast that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.86 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 30th will be paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This is a boost from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.40%. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 53.30%.

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.