Hartford Investment Management Co. Has $2.40 Million Stake in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO)

Hartford Investment Management Co. reduced its holdings in Valero Energy Co. (NYSE:VLO) by 3.1% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,546 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock after selling 630 shares during the period. Hartford Investment Management Co.’s holdings in Valero Energy were worth $2,396,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. New Wave Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Valero Energy in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Valero Energy during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Tobam bought a new stake in shares of Valero Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. True Wealth Design LLC raised its stake in shares of Valero Energy by 196.8% during the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 276 shares of the oil and gas company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of Valero Energy in the third quarter valued at $38,000. 78.69% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Valero Energy Stock Performance

VLO opened at $131.03 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.11. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $130.51 and a 200 day simple moving average of $136.71. Valero Energy Co. has a 1 year low of $116.84 and a 1 year high of $184.79. The company has a market capitalization of $41.48 billion, a PE ratio of 15.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 1.42.

Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO) last announced its earnings results 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%. Research analysts expect that Valero Energy Co. will post 7.86 EPS for the current year.

Valero Energy Increases Dividend

The firm 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. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.45%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 30th. This is a positive change from Valero Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.07. Valero Energy’s dividend payout ratio is presently 53.30%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Valero Energy from $146.00 to $140.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 11th. TD Cowen cut their target price on shares of Valero Energy from $145.00 to $140.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Bank of America began 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. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Valero Energy from $192.00 to $176.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Tudor Pickering upgraded Valero Energy from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $154.46.

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.